Line #41 Main/DramaticSpotlight


1	[[quoteright:347:[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic-RainbowDash-spotlight_5801.png]] ]]
2	[[caption-width-right:347:Rainbow Dash has something important to sing.]]
3
4	->''"OK. It starts off...\
5	...a dark stage,\
6	and then a beam of light,\
7	and you can see me and my guitar."''
8	-->-- '''Dewey Finn,''' ''Film/SchoolOfRock''
9
10	This {{Spectacle}} trope comes from the theatre, and like many other things in the theatre, this is a method for directing the audience's attention. All the stage lights go out, save for one spotlight that shines down on something, and suddenly that something has become ''everything''. Most often it is a character, saying or doing something that really matters. Sometimes there are more than one spotlight at work, simultaneously or not. But the point is always to momentarily reduce the world to a small, enclosed space where there are no distractions.
11
12	A SubTrope of {{Chiaroscuro}}. The contrast between light and dark is what makes it work.
13
14	This trope is found in most media, including animation, where no physical lights are involved. It has existed for longer than even electrical stage lighting (the term 'in the limelight' comes from the pre-electric chemical method, making it OlderThanRadio), and can still claim to have both popularity and credibility. It is also a staple of FilmNoir; in film posters, often the Dick or some streetwalker would be standing under a street light, and everything else would be black.
15
16	The closest thing you can find to a RealLife example of this is using a spotlight on a stage for [[SeriousBusiness delivering a speech]] or something similar. The Dramatic Spotlight very effectively creates a dramatic mood, and since it is so effective, it is also easy to misuse. If you have a poorly-written character whose troubles you haven't made the viewers care about, the Dramatic Spotlight isn't likely to make them start caring; it is likely to produce {{Narm}}. When PlayedForLaughs, however, there is a lot of humour to be found in deliberate overdramatization. {{Large Ham}}s thrive and flourish in this light.
17
18	This trope can be seen as a more extreme version of NoticeThis and ConspicuouslyLightPatch, where something also stands out in an image. In those tropes the focus point wins the fight for attention easily, while in this trope, there isn't really a fight.
19
20	Often worked into the CornerOfWoe.
21
22	SuperTrope for NaturalSpotlight (Mother Nature doing this trope).
23
24	Compare EmergingFromTheShadows.
25	----
26	!!Examples:
27
28	[[foldercontrol]]
29
30	[[folder:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]
31	* ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'':
32	** When [[AnthropomorphicPersonification France]] finds out that the other Allied nations are having fun without him, he's shown in a spotlight while BitingTheHandkerchief.
33	** When Germany hugs Italy in the second "Buon San Valentino" episode, they are highlighted by a spotlight.
34	* The ending theme to ''Anime/ExcelSaga'' has Menchi in a dramatic spotlight, singing about how sad she is that her fate is to be eaten, [[BlackComedy all while a hand sprinkles her with salt.]]
35	* In ''Anime/DragonBallGT'', when Vegeta's daughter Bulla demands he shave off his mustache, informing him that "it makes you look like a total geek", he stands in one of these to further highlight his ComicalOverreacting, shaking and shuddering with HiddenEyes while ''total geek...total geek...total geek...'' echoes in his ears.
36	* ''Anime/{{Tamagotchi}}'': One shines over Kuromametchi twice in episode 16b - once when he's embarrassed over the Eco-usatchi triplets talking about how he showed up at an ice skating event, and again after he responds to Mametchi and friends asking if he wants to try out new food at the Tama Cafe, contradicting the "lone wolf" personality he usually displays.
37	* Parodied in ''Manga/HoshinEngi'' by the Elder of Tousenkyuu: he claims to be wise and all-knowing, but whenever they point out he isn't or ask him a question, he's suddenly covered by a veritable dramatic lightshow as he [[LargeHam yells]] either apologies or that he doesn't know what they're talking of.
38	[[/folder]]
39
40	[[folder:AsianAnimation]]
41	* ''Animation/HappyHeroes'': In Season 2 episode 24, Big M. starts to cry under a spotlight that he's done for when he finds out his book of ultimate weapons has disappeared.
42	* ''Animation/{{Mechamato}}'': When [[WickedCultured Paintasso]] is gleeful to become a walking masterpiece, he dances around and a spotlight can be seen shining down on him at one point.
43	* ''Animation/BoBoiBoy'': In Season 2 episode 7, [=BoBoiBoy=] takes on the PoseOfSupplication after being hit by Adu Du's Y Emotive Pistol and laments about the lack of hope he has for everyone, a spotlight shining on him as he does so.
44	[[/folder]]
45
46	[[folder:Fan Works]]
47	* ''Fanfic/VowOfNudity'': When Spectra encounters her [[EvilKnockoff idealized self]] as a trap in a Faewilds dungeon, the doppelgänger gets a spotlight in the illustration.
48	[[/folder]]
49
50	[[folder:{{Film}} -- Animated]]
51	* ''WesternAnimation/PussInBoots2011'': Spotlights follow Puss and Kitty around during their confrontation at the Glitter Box, highlighting the action. It is mostly downplayed, since the area outside the spotlights is just dim, not pitch black, although there are some moments that turn up the contrast, like the spotlight on Kitty when Puss first spots her and as he approaches.
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:{{Film}} -- Live-Action]]
55	* There were quite a few dramatic spotlights in ''Film/{{Chicago}}'' ({{justified\|Trope}}, as the film switched back and forth from real life to stage production where spotlights would be expected).
56	[[/folder]]
57
58	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
59	* On the old ''Series/TheJimmyDuranteShow'', Jimmy would close the show by singing a closing number while walking away from the audience, stepping from spotlight to spotlight across a darkened stage (simulating street lights).
60	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. Vampire Luke is beginning "The Harvest" [[EvilIsHammy on the stage of the Bronze]], illuminated by a spotlight. Buffy, who's entered via a skylight, ends up getting into a fight with the vampire on the catwalk who's pointing it at him.
61	* ''Series/NightAndDay'' deploys this to sinister effect in our first introduction to the BigBad, Danny Dexter. In the middle of a crowded pub during his son Dennis Doyle's birthday party, we cut to entirely to black and silence with the exception of Roxanne, Dennis's mum, who is lit by a single spotlight. We then hear Danny's voice say: 'Hello, Red.'
62	* Ever since the 7th Season of ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' still does today. During the final Jeopardy round, They dimmed the stage lights dark and leaving the spotlight of three contestants as they write down their question and how much they bet as the ''ThinkMusic'' plays.
63	* In the opening to ''Series/KidsCourt'' on Nickelodeon where kids argue on what their situation problem is.
64	* ''Series/BlakesSeven''. In "Voice from the Past", a group of revolutionaries find their meeting hall plunged into darkness, then armed Federation troopers are revealed by spotlights and [[BigBad Servalan]] appears on the auditorium movie screen for some EvilGloating. As EvilIsHammy in TheVerse, presumably Servalan thought she'd better make a right proper production of her DynamicEntry, given that the rebels had been so considerate as to provide the theatre.
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder:{{Theatre}}]]
68	* In the play ''The Actor's Nightmare'' the lead character is alone on stage doing a soliloquy (which he doesn't know) and the spotlight moves around - he keeps having to jump to a new place.
69	** There is a similar segment in Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''Varekai'' in which a clown must chase down the spotlight that is apparently uninterested in the sad song he's singing.
70	* In the Australian play ''Lenny & Lee'', the stagelights go out and a spotlight shines on Lenny Bruce whenever he turns to address the audience, because it's done in the style of his stand-up comedy routine.
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:VideoGames]]
74	* During the Archives bit of ''VideoGame/AmnesiaTheDarkDescent'', there is a (barely) playable flashback from when Daniel first laid hands on an Orb, during the expedition in Algeria. There is a pedestal with the Orb on it, in a circle of light. Everything else is darkness.
75	* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'': Before and after the boss fight against Agnus in Mission 17, the Opera House is mostly dim, save for a spotlight that shines on Agnus and Dante whenever they speak their theatrical lines. Then again, these cutscenes are [[ShoutOut referencing]] ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'', justifying the existence of a spotlight.
76	* ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'': happens from your perspective when the character you are playing as uses a first aid kit (white) or is getting killed by a special infected (red).
77	* ''VideoGame/GhostTrick'' loves this. Complete with animations and sound effects to really make it feel like a theater production.
78	* The ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' series uses the trope in its GameOver screens, with the main character appearing under a spotlight in a dark room.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:WebOriginal]]
82	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', a [[https://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/2002-07-02 filler strip]] features Tedd and Grace embracing under a spotlight.
83	* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'':
84	** Team RWBY appears under spotlight in the third opening; they all look depressed except for Ruby. This foreshadows the end of the volume, where three of them have every reason to be depressed and Ruby is the sole one moving forward.
85	** PlayedForLaughs in the Volume 3 episode "Lessons Learned"; Qrow's flashback shows him sinking to his knees underneath a dramatic spotlight as he declares he was defeated... by the sight of the innkeeper's short skirt. Ruby is amused, Yang less so.
86	** When Ironwood makes his announcement to the Kingdom of Atlas in Volume 8, he is a shining white figure underneath a spotlight as he speaks. [[spoiler:He is announcing his intention to bomb Mantle unless the heroes agree to his terms, and the spotlight emphasises his evil resolve.]]
87	** Ruby is highlighted by a spotlight as she walks through the Ever After in the Volume 9 episode "Tea Amidst Terrible Trouble". [[spoiler:Having abandoned all her friends, the spotlight emphasises the isolation and depression that Ruby now feels.]]
88	* "WebVideo/DeadpoolTheMusical": Deadpool steps away from a {{bar brawl}} and a bright spotlight shines on him while he reminisces in [[SongParody song]] about humping his stuffed unicorn every morning.
89	[[/folder]]
90
91	[[folder:WesternAnimation]]
92	* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' where Krusty reveals to the world he's Jewish, he asks for a spotlight, and the spotlight operator thinks he's doing a bit.
93	-->Boys and girls, I'd like to be serious for a moment if I may. Spotlight, please. I just wanted ''(spotlight moves away from Krusty)'' I just wan- ''(spotlight moves away again)'' Come on guys, I'm not doing the spotlight bit!
94	** In another episode a depressed Abe Simpson walks off into a row of spotlights like Creator/JimmyDurante only to be stopped by the usual lawyer who warns him to stop as it is copyright infringement
95	* Two of the songs in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' feature this trope: "Winter Wrap Up" in the episode of the same name, and "Find a Pet" in "May the Best Pet Win!".
96	** In the same show, the trope is [[ParodiedTrope parodied]] in the episode "Party of One". Pinkie Pie draws the (wrong) conclusion that her friends have all turned against her from her interrogation of Spike, and declares so in a Dramatic Spotlight. Then it turns out the light comes from the lamp she used to interrogate him with, as he turns it off.
97	** The trope is parodied again in the "Hearth's Warming Eve" episode. Spike the baby dragon gets one when he starts ChewingTheScenery during his narration of a play, but since he's on a stage, it's [[JustifiedTrope justified]] in-universe.
98	** Spike gets another one when he sings a heart-breaking solo in "The Times They Are a Changeling".
99	* Linus asks for one of these in ''WesternAnimation/ACharlieBrownChristmas'' for his TrueMeaningOfChristmas speech.
100	* There is a sequence like this in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', in the episode where Baby Doll first appears.
101	* Genie conjures several of these during his "Friend Like Me" song in Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}''.
102	* Happens during the song "Hakuna Matata" in ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994''.
103	* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'': "Tip of the Day" - Candace gets one during the Aglet song. They bring up the lights as she begins ranting about how it doesn't matter that the end of a shoelace is called an Aglet. [[labelnote:*]](but not [[RunningGag that their]] [[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague true purpose is sinister)]][[/labelnote]]
104	* During the Curse of the Golden Banana song-and-dance in ''WesternAnimation/DonkeyKongCountry'', a spotlight appears on Cranky as he tells DK, "The curse will bring the destruction of the entire island, and there'll be no bananas left for you to eat!"
105	* The ending to the ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'' episode [[MusicalEpisode "LAB]][[Recap/DextersLaboratoryS2EP38 retto"]]
106	* In the musical episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'', the title character gets one of these for her solo. Of course, being ''Daria'', it's all very, very tongue-in-cheek--and yet played straight at the same time.
107	* ''WesternAnimation/JellyJamm'': One appears over the King in "Inner Space" when he thinks Bello and Goomo have run away after being denied permission to play with his spaceship toy.
108	* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'': In "[[Recap/ReadyJetGoS2E3AsteroidBeltSpaceRaceSydney2 Sydney 2]]", a spotlight appears on Jet 2 when Sydney talks about how lonely he is.
109	* When ''Creator/MelBlanc'', the main voice actor for the classic ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' cartoons died, a memorial cartoon called [[https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/animation-anecdotes-302/ "Speechless"]] was drawn in his honor. The cartoon shows a group of the most popular Looney Tunes characters standing with bowed heads behind a microphone that has a dramatic spotlight on it. But there's nobody at the microphone, indicating the loss of Blanc, who created the voices of the characters behind the microphone.
110	[[/folder]]

Context Main / DramaticSpotlight