Lighting Design Deep Dive (AQA)

The AQA Lighting Rule: Anti-Illusion

Do not try to make the lighting look "realistic". AQA examiners want to see you apply Brechtian principles. You must describe an exposed lighting rig, harsh white light that strips away shadows, and sudden snap fades that deliberately shatter the theatrical illusion.

Concept 1: The Brechtian Wash

The Big Idea: The stage is flooded with flat, white light. There is nowhere for the actors to hide, forcing the audience to look directly at the political realities of the play.

💡 Intensity & Colour Use 100% intensity with an open white beam (no coloured gels). This creates a stark, clinical atmosphere typical of Epic Theatre.

🎭 Application Use this during the ensemble-heavy scenes, like the Heathcroft protests, to ensure the audience can clearly see the multi-roling and Gestus of every actor.

📝 AQA Terminology Bank

Exposed Rig

Leaving the stage lights visible to the audience instead of hiding them behind borders. It constantly reminds the audience they are watching a constructed performance.

Snap Fade

An instantaneous change in lighting states (zero second fade time). It prevents smooth, cinematic transitions, jarring the audience into paying attention.

General Wash

Lighting the entire stage evenly. In Brechtian theatre, this is often done with bright white light to create an objective, courtroom-like feel.

Profile Spotlight

A lantern that projects a hard-edged pool of light. Used to aggressively isolate an actor when they step out of the scene to deliver a Narrator monologue.