Gobos - sometimes called cookie cutters in the US - are basically pieces of metal put in front of a light's beam to cast an interesting pattern or shape.  They started out in theatre to do things like project a window onto a plain back cloth.  In disco, band and TV lighting they are often used to create interesting patterns.  Filters and gels are often used as well to colour and add texture to lights.  Adding some variety to a light can help model the objects it falls on and make them more interesting.

The way I'd approach this project, unless you really want to make the lights the focus, is to first get your stage.  Next place your performers and then work out how to light them.  I started to cover the basics of (theatrical) stage lighting on my blog and you can find examples of some standard ways of lighting a person at... http://www.impworks.co.uk/category/my-stuff/3d/lighting/

Cheers

Mark

impworks | vue news blog | twitter | pinterest