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S
SILHOUETTE
1) To light the cyclorama or a piece of upstage set in such a way that the
actors are cast into shadow. Can be a very dramatic effect.
2) A range of 2000W lanterns manufactured by CCT in the UK.
SILK
A special type of diffusion frost filter which stretches the light in one
direction. Especially useful for lighting large cycloramas with a limited
number of lanterns, or for lighting an elongated object (eg a staircase)
with one lantern.
SIRIUS
Manual/memory lighting control desk previously manufactured by Zero 88 in
the UK. Available as Sirius 24 (24 channels) or Sirius 48. Desks can be
linked together.
SIX LAMP BAR
An internally-wired lighting bar, designed for touring, with six socket
outlets terminated in a multi-way connector (e.g. SOCAPEX or LECTRIFLEX).
Often pre-rigged with lanterns (eg Parcans). Stored in Meatracks. A bar
pre-rigged with Parcans is sometimes known as a PAR BAR.
SMOKE DETECTORS
Many theater buildings have complex fire alarm systems installed. Some
theater spaces have smoke detectors in them, which trigger a fire alarm when
the space fills with smoke. The use of SMOKE MACHINES in these spaces can
(and does) result in expensive call-outs of the fire department and
evacuated auditoria.
There are special heat-sensitive detectors called RATE OF RISE detectors
which trigger a fire alarm when the temperature rises faster than it should
normally. Properly calibrated (and regularly tested) these can be as
effective than the smoke detectors (which work by "seeing" smoke particles
in the air). If it's not possible to get Rate of Rise detectors installed in
your theater space instead of smoke detectors, you may be able (subject to
local building regulations and local fire department advice) to isolate the
smoke detectors for the duration of the performance when you use smoke
effects. Properly designed alarm systems incorporate timed isolation, so
that smoke detectors are only off for a specific period, and automatically
come on after that period.
SMOKE MACHINE
A Smoke Machine or Fogger is an electrically powered unit which produces
clouds of white non-toxic fog (available in different flavours/smells) by
the vaporisation of mineral oil. It is specially designed for theater & film
use. A Haze machine, Hazer or Diffusion Fogger is used to produce an
atmospheric haze, rather than clouds of smoke, and is used by many lighting
designers to reveal airborne light beams.
The first smoke machines came onto the market in the late 1970's. It's
essential to know whether your venue uses SMOKE DETECTORS on the fire alarm
system.
SNAP
A lighting or sound cue with no fade time - the cue happens instantly.
SOCAPEX / SOCA
A multipin connector which can carry a series of lighting or sound circuits.
Very robust and designed for touring. Available in 19 pin (6 circuits) and
37 pin (12 circuits) configurations. Sometimes shortened to SOCA.
SOFT LIGHT
Asymmetric flood light used as a fill light in TV studios to eliminate
shadows and balance the key light.
SOLO
1) On a sound desk, the solo button on each input channel silences all other
inputs so that channel alone can be heard. Dangerous to use during a show,
but can be useful for fault-finding or testing equipment.
2) On a lighting desk, SOLO mode kills all other channels except the single
dimmer you're working with. Again, can be useful for identifying a channel
in a large rig, but can be dangerous during a show. Some desks allow you to
assign flash buttons to SOLO mode which will turn off all channels except
those loaded into that flash button or submaster. This can be used for a
quick lightning effect (but it's a bit tacky). On Strand Lighting memory
desks, the solo function is called REMAINDER DIM (or REM DIM).
SON ET LUMIERE
An audiovisual entertainment often based on an historical theme (and often
produced in a historically relevant location). A voice narration is often
used and lighting / special effects set the mood and portray certain events
in time with the narration. Often used to refer to a performance with no
performer where the meaning is communicated solely with technical effects.
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