Gobo Lights A “gobo” is a stencil or template that is placed inside or in front of a light source to control the shape of the emitted light. These lightings are typically used with stage lighting instruments to manipulate the shape(s) of the lights casting over a space or specific object.
The term “gobo” has come to sometimes refer to any device that produces patterns of light and shadow as well as various pieces of equipment that is put before a light (such as a gobo arm or gobo head). In theatrical lighting, however, the term more specifically refers to a device placed in ‘the gate’ or at the ‘point of focus’ between the light source and the lenses (or other optics). This placement is important because it produces a crisp, sharp edged pattern or design (of logos, fine detail, architecture, etc.).
