stage effects
Production visual tricks
Stage effects are the technical elements that create atmosphere and spectacle in theatrical productions—lighting, sound, smoke, projections, pyrotechnics, and mechanical devices.
The term encompasses anything beyond acting and scenery that heightens dramatic impact: The thunder and lightning were impressive stage effects.
Film and television inherit the concept as special effects or visual effects.
- gobosLight or sound blockers
- lighting designArranging artificial light sources
- trap doorsHidden floor openings
- trap doorHinged floor opening
- animatronicsMechanized lifelike figure technology
pyrotechnics · flash pots · blackout · scrims · hydraulic lifts · shadow play · projection mapping · practicals · black light · rigging · kinetic sculptures · soundscapes · cyclorama · smoke machines · strobe lights · holographic displays · mirror ball · wind machines
- spectaclesfirework display, spectacles, northern lights, show, extravaganzas
- stagecraftdownstage, upstage, backstage, wings, wing
- stage designset design, stagecraft, set decoration, scenery, backdrops
- fire performancefire eaters, fire dancers, fire poi, fire staff
- pantomimedame, pantomime dame, pantomime horse, principal boy, ugly sisters
- Early WagnerThe Flying Dutchman, Elisabeth, Elsa, Bridal Chorus, leitmotif
stage effectsacting
Temporarily holding position
dialogue · performance · characterization · blocking · stagecraft
stage effectsbare stage
Undecorated theatrical platform
naturalism · realism · black box theatre · empty space · unplugged