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Fabula |
Generic Latin term for a play. In Rome the term included several types of plays
including: the fabula atellanae, or atellan farce, an early form of folk-based drama; fabula palliata, which
were based on translations from earlier Greek texts; and fabula togata, which was a more topical, native type of
drama, such as those written by Plautus. |
Falling Action |
See, Denouement. The action following the climax of a play, in which the
conflict and relationships are brought to a final conclusion. |
False Proscenium |
Also known as the inner proscenium, this is a temporary structure used to reduce
the opening of the permanent proscenium. Particularly useful for touring companies, where the troupe has to play on a
variety of stage sizes. |
Farce |
Popular comedy in which horseplay and bodily assualt figure largely in
contrived and often improbable situations. Farce has its antecedents in Greek satyr plays, the Roman fabula
atellanae, and in other native, pastoral drama. It is, however, a higher form of theatre than burlesque, retaining
elements of insight into the human situation. |
Flat |
Basic unit of scenery consisting of a wooden frame. Usually covered with
muslin or canvas and painted, it can also be covered with thin wooden veneer. See, TCT's pages on building a basic
flat in our technical tips section. |
Floodlight |
A lighting instrument that throws a wide, unfocused beam of light, "flooding" an
area with illumination. |
Fly |
To suspend scenery, drops or lighting from a pipe batten hung from the grid.
The term is also used to describe the act of raising or lowering scenery or a drop out of or into the view of the audience; as in,
"fly cityscape out" in a stage crew's cue sheet. |
Fly Loft |
Also called the "flies" or "fly floor". The raised area from which
flown scenery and drops are controlled. This usually involves hand working the fly-lines as opposed to using a counerweighted system. |
Focus |
The process of aiming a lighting instrument so that it illuminates a particular
portion of the stage, including angling the beam, sizing the beam, and determining whether the edge of the beam should be
sharply defined or diffuse. |
Follow Spot |
A high wattage, variable focus lighting instrument that is mounted so as to enable
the operator follow performers on stage with the beam of light. The beam of light can be sharpened or diffused to alter the effect
of the lighting and the spot can be enlarged or reduced to maintain a tight focus on the performer. |
Foot Iron |
Hardware mounted on the stage floor, that accomodates a stage screw for purposes of
securing scenery to the stage. |
Footlights |
Recessed, low-wattage lighting instruments usually located in a metal trough or
sconces mounted along the lip of the apron. |
Forestage |
See, Apron. The small area of stage extending beyond the proscenium. |
Fourth Wall |
The imaginary fourth wall that is removed from box set to enable the audience
to see the action on stage. The term now applies to the "wall" separating audience and performers on any type
of stage or even film and television. Thus, the term "breaking the fourth wall" refers to an actor speaking directly to
the audience. |
French Scene |
The action which takes place between one actor's entrance and exit. |
Fresnel |
A lighting instrument with a graduated lens that throws a soft, generally defocused
beam of light. Most fresnels allow for some control over the focus of the beam by means of a sliding mechanism. |
Futurism |
Movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th Century, which spanned all of the arts. It emphasized
the impact of technology on society. |
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