LED Follow Spot Lights
When evaluating LED Follow spot lights it is important to look at lumens (light output) and color temperature. This article will cover the basics of these two factors to help you make an educated purchase.
The SM usually calls the follow spots on a cue sheet, but it is up to the Follow Spot Operator to keep track of all of the details for that specific cue. This includes things like the size of the beam, gel colors and smooth fading.
Dimmable
The follow spot is a powerful stage lighting device that produces a focused beam of light to highlight performers and add a dramatic element to a performance. It can also be used to spotlight scenery and props, as well as create shadow effects and silhouettes. However, this type of lighting equipment can be complicated and difficult to operate, so it is important to understand how to use it properly.
There are several things to consider when using a follow spotlight, including its size and power, its ability to swivel and tilt, its range of motion, and the color of its beam. These factors can help to ensure that the spotlight is positioned correctly and that it is highlighting the correct parts of the stage or performers. They can also affect how bright or dark the spotlight is and whether it has a hard or soft edge.
Another factor to consider is the type of bulb used in the fixture. While most follow spots are designed to be used with arc-source bulbs, there are some that use LEDs instead. While these lights are generally less expensive, they offer a number of advantages that can make them a good choice for many applications. For example, they are typically more compact and lightweight than arc-source bulbs, and they can be operated at lower temperatures. They are also able to operate for longer periods of time than arc-source bulbs.
Color Changing
Whether you’re in the theatre, arena, or high school stage, great lighting is key to keeping your audience’s attention. A follow spot spotlight illuminates and highlights an actor with a tight beam that can change color to keep the audience focused on what’s happening on stage. Depending on the model you choose, your LED follow spot light can also offer a built in CTO filter to lower the color temperature for a better match with tungsten lights and to simplify professional fading.
The Ushio Sai-500 is a medium throw LED follow spot that has the power to highlight actors on stage without overpowering them. Its 5800K color temperature shows costumes and backdrops as they were meant to Led Follow spot lights be portrayed, and it’s compact enough to use in houses of worship, schools, and ballrooms. It also features Step-less Electronic Dimming for more control and a powerful Daylight white beam.
The Chauvet DJ LED Followspot 120ST is a full-sized followspot that is lighter, cooler, and more flexible than traditional incandescent models. It features a 120 W LED in cool white and can be controlled by your lighting board using DMX or manual modes. The built in CTO filter lowers the color temperature to match tungsten lamps, and it has 7 + white split colors to help you set the mood for any performance. It’s easy to set up and tear down with the included tripod, and it’s compact enough to fit in most bags.
Pan & Tilt
A follow spot focuses a beam of light onto performers on stage to help highlight their movements. It consists of a housing that contains a lamp, a reflector, and a variety of lenses that shape and focus the beam of light. It also has mechanisms that adjust the direction and intensity of the light beam to track performers on stage. The spotlight’s operator can also control the iris, zoom, and focusing to create different lighting effects for each performance.
A typical follow spot is designed to be used by one person and includes handles that are easy to hold and operate. A heavy steel yoke adds mass to the fixture and helps prevent vibration. The yoke mounts to a track that allows the light to move smoothly and quickly over long throws. The yoke also provides a mounting point for accessories like the shim kit or a lens frame to change lens sizes.
Becoming a follow spot operator requires training and practical experience. Lighting and led flood lights theater courses or workshops can provide the theory behind follow spots, but hands-on practice is essential for mastering the skill. A good way to gain hands-on experience is to seek internships or part-time jobs in theaters or concert venues. It’s a great way to get the skills you need for success in the industry and build your resume.
Remote Control
While many modern moving lights can be operated directly from a console, controlling a followspot requires a little more forethought and a lot of data management. The siren song of being able to control every facet of the spot, including color, is strong and enticing but there are other elements at play that must be taken into consideration.
The biggest hurdle is the human element. If you take control away from the operator, there’s no margin for error. That’s why the industry standard is to have a follow spot operator on hand to adjust the pan/tilt as needed. But a good operator can also get pretty creative with the spot, combining traditional follow-spot functionality with some more advanced effects.
A great way to manage the data for a followspot is to partition it into its own cue list. This will help ensure that all of the information for that specific light is compiled into one cue list and not spread out across all the other cue lists on your console. This will save you time and ensure that any follow spot cues you need to hit aren’t buried deep within your main cue list where they could be easily missed or accidentally updated by a tech who has other things on their mind.
FS600LED is a powerful LED follow spot lamp that incorporates traditional followspot functionality with the latest in technology. It features an adjustable iris and manual framing shutters as well as 8 colors and variable strobe speeds, all while drawing only 80W of power.
