What is the effect of up-lighting on stage?

Question: What is the effect of up-lighting on stage!?

i need to know for my essay on Blood Brothers!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Normal lighting conditions ie!. from the sun or a light bulb would be from the top and or the side!. This causes shadows on the face that we are used to seeing!.
When you light from below this causes shadows on the face that we are unfamiliar with and can create a spooky/scary or surreal effect!.
Its use in "Blood Brothers" is generally when the theme of superstition or fate occurs!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You get strange shadows in the eye sockets and faces look spooky!. Footlights are often used in ballet, as it can have the effect of making jumps look higher!. The other effect it has is that you get shadows on the back wall - I've often used it for effect, as with more than one colour being used, you get coloured shadows on the cyc!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Answer # 1 offers a valid suggestion, but it's extremely distracting to anyone acting, or attempting to stay on marks, etc!.

Better would be Follow Spots, even 10 rows back in the Orchestra seating, elevated, OR rear projection on a scrim or drop, already programmed with power point!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Why not sit in front of a mirror in a dark room and shine a torch at your face from below!. See what kind of effect it creates!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It makes the wicked witch in the cauldron scene from theWizard Of Oz look very scary and cast a large shadow behind her all the way up onto the ceiling projecfing her menacingly forwardWww@QuestionHome@Com