Blackout

Definition

A blackout is a complete loss of light on stage, often used to signal the end of a scene or to create a transition between moments in a performance. This technique is essential in controlling the audience's focus and pacing, allowing for dramatic pauses or shifts in storytelling. By eliminating light, a blackout can also enhance emotional impact or signify a change in time or space within the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Blackouts are often used strategically at the end of scenes to give the audience time to process the action before moving on.
2. The timing of a blackout is crucial; it must be well-coordinated with the actors' performances and sound effects for maximum effect.
3. In addition to scene transitions, blackouts can create suspense or surprise by cutting off action suddenly.
4. Stage managers are typically responsible for calling blackouts and ensuring they occur at the correct moments during a performance.
5. Blackouts can also be used creatively to enhance visual storytelling, by juxtaposing light and darkness to convey themes or emotions.

Review Questions

• How does a blackout enhance the overall pacing and emotional impact of a performance?
  • A blackout enhances pacing by providing natural pauses between scenes, allowing the audience to digest what they've just seen before the story continues. Emotionally, it can heighten tension or reflection; for instance, a sudden blackout after a climactic moment leaves viewers in suspense. This technique emphasizes shifts in narrative and creates a dramatic atmosphere that draws the audience deeper into the performance.
• Discuss how a blackout interacts with other lighting techniques like fades during a show.
  • A blackout serves as a stark contrast to fades, which provide smooth transitions between lighting states. While fades gradually alter visibility, blackouts abruptly remove light, making them effective for quick scene changes or emotional pauses. Combining these techniques can enrich storytelling; for example, transitioning from a fade into a blackout can signify an emotional climax followed by silence, enhancing dramatic effect.
• Evaluate the role of stage management in executing blackouts effectively within a performance context.
  • Stage management plays a critical role in executing blackouts by coordinating technical cues with actor performances. The stage manager ensures that all aspects of production are aligned, calling for blackouts at precise moments to maximize their impact. Effective communication between the stage manager and lighting technicians is vital to maintain rhythm and flow, ultimately contributing to an engaging and polished performance.

Related terms

fade: A gradual transition of light, either increasing or decreasing, which helps to shift scenes smoothly without abrupt changes.

cue: A signal for performers or technicians to execute a specific action, such as changing lights or sound, often coinciding with a blackout.

gel: A colored filter placed over lights to change their color, which can be used creatively during transitions including blackouts.