Theatrical scoops are a staple stage lighting fixture in most performance spaces. These fixtures are sometimes known as ellipsoidal reflector floodlights or ERF lights. It has a large dome like (aka scoop) reflector, accepts large high-wattage lamps, and contains no lens. This results in a fixture that consists almost entirely of a lamp with a large curved reflector. These lighting fixtures produce wide, soft –edged pools of light excellent for general lighting.
Common uses for scoop lights include worklights, rehearsal lighting, and certain performances where large washes are needed. These can be used to mimic striplights or cyc lights and illuminate a cyclorama. Scoops have the advantage of being easy to load in, hang, and strike. Scoops are often quite affordable, have a long lamp life, and are fairly durable. Often, they can be circuited so that the light board is not necessary to turn them on, making them excellent flooded light for the space that a board op doesn’t have to turn on.
While not fancy, these economical fixtures can add large amounts of light as well as be geled to change the mood of a space. These may not be the most fancy fixtures on the market today, but we here at StageSpot urge you to remember, simplicity is sometimes better.
