Editing Stage lighting (section)

=== Direction ===
{{Main|Gobo (lighting)}}
{| align="right" class="wikitable" style="margin:10px;"
 |width="105px" | [[Image:gobo1.jpg|100px]] || width="105px" | [[Image:gobo-image.jpg|100px]]
 |-
 | colspan="2" align="center" width="210px" |  A gobo of this shape in a fixture with a red gel would produce a pattern like the one shown to the right.
|}
Direction refers to the shape, quality and evenness of a lamp's output.  The pattern of light an instrument makes is largely determined by three factors.  The first are the specifics of the [[lamp (electrical component)|lamp]], reflector and [[lens (optics)|lens]] assembly.  Different mounting positions for the lamp (axial, base up, base down), different sizes and shapes of reflector and the nature of the lens (or lenses) being used can all affect the pattern of light.  Secondly, the specifics of how the lamp is focused affect its pattern.  In ''[[ellipsoidal reflector spotlight]]s (ERS)'' or ''profile spotlights'', there are two beams of light emitted from the lamp.  When the cones of both intersect at the throw distance (the distance to the stage), the lamp has a sharply defined 'hard' edge.  When the two cones do not intersect at that distance, the edge is fuzzy and 'soft'.  Depending on which beam (direct or reflected) is outside the other, the pattern may be 'thin and soft' or 'fat and soft'. Lastly, a [[Gobo (lighting)|gobo]] or break up pattern may be applied to ERSs and similar instruments.  This is typically a thin sheet of metal with a shape cut into it.  It is inserted into the instrument near its aperture.  Gobos, or templates,  come in many shapes, but often include leaves, waves, stars and similar patterns.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Gillette
| first = J. Michael
| title = Designing With Light: An Introduction to Stage Lighting, Fourth Edition
| isbn = 978-0-7674-2733-3
| publisher = [[McGraw Hill]]
| pages = 62–64
| year = 2003
}}</ref>