Gels and Stars

I wondered today during my show if gobos could be made out of a different material and still be effective. Maybe something that left some light through and wasn't as fluid as metal. And would it ever be possible or useful to have gobos on scrollers? There really would be no need for such a thing, but it was something I considered an awful long time today. Also, in the show I am working on, THE DIG at Renaissance Theaterworks, a star effect is used. There is a rope of lights coming from a source four...I have no idea how that works, but it looks really neat.