What is meant by 'focussing' in lighting design?

Focussing in lighting design refers to the arrangement of lanterns to achieve desired effects in a performance. This process involves positioning and angling lights to illuminate specific areas of the stage, highlight certain actors or props, and create the intended atmosphere or mood. By carefully directing the lights, designers can manipulate shadows and highlights, enhancing the visual storytelling of the production.

Understanding that focussing is about placement emphasizes how critical it is for achieving the right aesthetic and practical outcomes on stage. Although options relating to changing color, increasing intensity, or softening edges are related to other aspects of lighting design, they do not encapsulate the core concept of focussing, which is fundamentally about the strategic arrangement of lights to create the overall desired visual effect.