Don’t get psyched out when lighting your cyc.
A cyclorama is a large curtain positioned at the back of the stage. This type of curtain was popularized in Germany in the 19th century and continues in common use throughout the world in theatres of today. Often referred to as a “cyc” in America, this curtain can be made of unbleached canvas, muslin, filled scrim, or seamless translucent plastic. Traditionally it is hung flat, with no fullness and is often seamless. It often encircles, hence the name, or partially encloses the stage to form a background.
By lighting the cyc with varying equipment, intensity, color and patterns, a lighting designer may achieve many varied looks. A cyc can be front lit or, if it is constructed of translucent and seamless material, backlit directly or indirectly. Cycs are also often lit during dance or music concerts to match the mood of a song. Scrims can be hung in front or behind cycloramas to vary the lighting effects.
There are various ways to light a cyc. One of the tried and trued methods often employs cyc lights as a base. Cyc lights can either be a single unit or multiple units yoked together. These lighting fixtures provide asymmetric distribution for even coverage. The color or light provided by these on the cyc often shades off towards the top or bottom of the curtain, depending on where the light fixtures are mounted for an attractive effect. On to this base, lighting designers often add pattern elements with gobos and ellipsoidal fixtures, or tonal variations with PARs and scoops to enhance the variety of the background to achieve the desired effect.
Please note all of these photographs were taken from the same show. They demonstrate how a varied lighting design can incorporate a cyclorama to further enhance production values. Pictures are courtesy of Erica Richie.
However you choose to use your cyclorama, StageSpot is here to help. Do not hesitate to contact us.
