A genericized trade name for the ellipsoidal reflector spotlight, ERS, the most common fixture in theaters. An ellipsoidal reflector focuses light through a gate where shutters, an iris or a gobo shape the beam, and a lens tube projects it with a hard or softened edge. Lekos are sold by field angle, such as 19, 26, 36 and 50 degrees, matched to the throw from each hanging position.
Grab four 26 degree lekos for the box booms and bring a couple of gobo holders, we're adding a window pattern.
Brits call the same fixture a profile, and many Americans call any ellipsoidal by the brand name of the most common model in their theater.
Also heard as
- ellipsoidal
- ERS
- profile
- lekolite
Related terms
Fresnel
A soft-edged spotlight with a stepped Fresnel lens whose beam can be adjusted from spot to flood.
Gobo
A thin metal or glass disk with a cut pattern, placed in a spotlight to project shapes, textures or logos.
Field angle
The angle across a light's beam at which intensity falls to 10 percent of its peak, marking the usable edge of the light.
Hang and focus
The work of installing every fixture on the light plot, then aiming and shaping each one for the show.