Fade (lighting)
Encyclopedia
In stage lighting
, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease of the intensity
of light
projected onto the stage. The term fade-in refers to gradually changing the lighting level from complete darkness to a predetermined lighting
level. A fade-out (also known as fade-to-black) refers to gradually decreasing the intensity of light until none is shining on the stage. A crossfade is when lighting levels are gradually altered from one setting to another. A fade-in is sometimes called a build, and where this terminology is used, a fade is understood to be a fade-out.
In nearly all theatrical lighting designs, multiple lighting instruments are used to illuminate the stage at any one time. The instruments are controlled by a lighting technician
from a dimmer
board or lighting control panel
. A fade refers to a change in illumination
for the entire stage. Thus, the intensity of many lighting instruments are often altered with a single fade, especially with newer digital control systems like DMX, which uses a serial data stream to control up to 512 dimmers or other compatible fixtures, via a single twisted pair of wires. DMX consoles are largely computerised, thus allowing digital process control from multiple input devices, and synchronisation via MIDI, SMPTE etc.
The terms fade in, fade out, and fade to black were borrowed by Hollywood, and are used in the formal structure of screenplay
s.
Stage lighting
Modern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. Several different types of stage lighting instruments are used in the pursuit of the various principles or goals of lighting. Stage lighting has grown considerably in recent years...
, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease of the intensity
Illuminance
In photometry, illuminance is the total luminous flux incident on a surface, per unit area. It is a measure of the intensity of the incident light, wavelength-weighted by the luminosity function to correlate with human brightness perception. Similarly, luminous emittance is the luminous flux per...
of light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
projected onto the stage. The term fade-in refers to gradually changing the lighting level from complete darkness to a predetermined lighting
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
level. A fade-out (also known as fade-to-black) refers to gradually decreasing the intensity of light until none is shining on the stage. A crossfade is when lighting levels are gradually altered from one setting to another. A fade-in is sometimes called a build, and where this terminology is used, a fade is understood to be a fade-out.
In nearly all theatrical lighting designs, multiple lighting instruments are used to illuminate the stage at any one time. The instruments are controlled by a lighting technician
Technician
A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skills and techniques, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles. Experienced technicians in a specific tool domain typically have intermediate understanding of theory and expert...
from a dimmer
Dimmer
Dimmers are devices used to vary the brightness of a light. By decreasing or increasing the RMS voltage and, hence, the mean power to the lamp, it is possible to vary the intensity of the light output...
board or lighting control panel
Control panel (engineering)
A control panel is a flat, often vertical, area where control or monitoring instruments are displayed.They are found in factories to monitor and control machines or production lines and in places such as nuclear power plants, ships, aircraft and mainframe computers...
. A fade refers to a change in illumination
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
for the entire stage. Thus, the intensity of many lighting instruments are often altered with a single fade, especially with newer digital control systems like DMX, which uses a serial data stream to control up to 512 dimmers or other compatible fixtures, via a single twisted pair of wires. DMX consoles are largely computerised, thus allowing digital process control from multiple input devices, and synchronisation via MIDI, SMPTE etc.
The terms fade in, fade out, and fade to black were borrowed by Hollywood, and are used in the formal structure of screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
s.