I like to think about programming in terms of “layers” of light. I might have one list of cues for colored stage washes, another list for colors on the set and backdrop, and another for “special effects” lights. That makes it easy to make different stage looks by “layering” the different elements. I usually put white “special” lights on their own faders, so I can light each performer “on the fly” as needed. Depending on the console, moving lights can be added in with the fixed lights, or they may have to be placed on their own cue lists. With the Hog, I prefer to separate them, but newer consoles are better at mixing fixture types on the same list.

Hopefully, as new console come to market and computers improve, some newer, more logical programming paradigms will come along.