Color temp of spotlight

[Tyler Black]

Generally speaking, is there a common color temp of theatrical stage spotlights? I know it generally runs cooler for aesthetic reasons. Is there a rule of thumb?

Thanks

 

[Joel Kaye]

There are a lot of different lights out there. I've seen Source 4 LEKOs used as a spot. 3000-3200k +Dichroic reflector that might cool it down a bit. There is a 4200k lamp available too.

Par cans are also typical. Those are warm (2800-3200) but they are often gelled. Odds are your lights are gelled for the show.

Scanners and Motorized Washes can have much cooler bulbs and often have color filters in them that can be programmed to combine for just about any color. So take nothing for granted there.

And these days there are LED pars... but they don't pack much of a punch so they aren't used as spots.

I wouldn't assume anything personally. Theater people are weird. (j/k)

EDIT: You can white balance with RED in the main spotlight and you'll get the temp. Or rent a color meter.

 

[Kevin Wild]

Sorry, but I've found theatrical lighting to be all over the place. Remember, they are often trying to mimic daylight one scene and tungsten the next and adjust it as they go. We've shot a lot of Operas and still have no clue. Ultimately, you may have to do a scene by scene color correction in post afterwards.

Sorry I didn't have better news.

 

[Cail Young]

99% of theatrical lamps will be normal tungsten bubbles - 3200K or thereabouts. The big-boy followspots will be nearer to 10000K as they are arclamps or similar high-temperature units.

For best results, shoot 3200K balanced as this is the temperature of the bulbs and any gelling the lighting designer has used will be preserved in the recording.

EDIT Of course, often theatrical lamps are dimmed, which drops the colour temperature, so your mileage may vary...