What is a focus chart used for in lighting design?

A focus chart is an essential tool used in lighting design specifically to document the focus of each lantern in a rig. This chart provides detailed information about where each light is aimed, the intensity, color filters used, and any other relevant technical specifications. This documentation is crucial for ensuring consistency in the lighting design and allows for the accurate recreation of the lighting setup during rehearsals and performances.

By using a focus chart, lighting designers can effectively communicate their intentions to the entire production team, ensuring that lighting technicians understand how to adjust or replicate the focus of the lights as required. This is particularly important for complex scenes that require precise lighting to enhance mood, character visibility, and scene transitions.

In contrast, planning costume changes involves entirely different considerations related to wardrobe logistics and timing rather than lighting. Tracking actor movements pertains to choreography or blocking on stage rather than the technical aspects of lighting design. Creating stage management cues addresses the scheduling of various production elements, which is not directly linked to the use of focus charts in lighting design.