Led Follow Spot Lights

Follow spot lights are an integral part of a theatre’s lighting system. They are used to highlight actors, often in musicals or other presentational shows.

Choosing the right followspot for your needs requires careful consideration of several important specifications. Look for CBCP or foot-candle specs rather than wattage, as different bulb types have differing intensities.

Brightness

Followspots are powerful stage lighting devices that illuminate and spotlight all aspects of the action onstage. They can be used to keep the audience’s focus on the actors and to add dimension and drama to the performance. They can also be used to highlight props and set pieces. Followspots typically mount on a stand or tripod and can be moved to follow actors or objects. They can also change color and have a wide range of capabilities.

The first step in selecting a followspot is to determine how bright you want it. This will help you choose a lamp that can provide the necessary output power for your application. You will also need to consider what other lights you will be using onstage. For example, you will need to decide if you want your followspots to match the color temperature of your FOH lighting or if you want them to be a different shade.

A traditional followspot is a manual moving light that is operated stage light manufacturer by a spot operator to follow actors around the stage. It consists of several key components: a light source, optics, and a control panel. The light source is usually a high-intensity xenon or discharge lamp. The optics are a set of lenses that control the size and shape of the beam. The control panel allows the operator to adjust the iris, pan, tilt, and color (via drop-in gels). Some models come with a gobos or gobo holder and built-in strobe mode for added effects.

Dimming

Follow spots use a bright LED lamp to produce an intense beam for tracking actors or scenery. They can be controlled by a variety of methods including DMX and manual. The iris can be closed to focus the beam and a slot for a single gobo can be used to add pattern to the light. They are lightweight enough for one person to handle and can be mounted on a tripod to ensure they stay in position.

In order for a follow spot to track a performer, it must be bright enough to illuminate the entire subject. This can be achieved by using a larger lens to narrow the focus of the light or by using a more powerful lamp. Some manufacturers of followspots also offer a chopper function which allows the operator to close a gate of opposite shutters on the top and bottom of the light beam to cut off some of its intensity.

Many of the newer LED followspots use a technique called pulse width modulation (PWM) to reduce or increase the amount of voltage flowing to the LEDs. This can be a significant difference in brightness, but the effect is much more subtle than a traditional dimmer and most users will never notice. Some older dimmer drivers use amplitude modulation (AM) to control the power flow, but this has been superseded by PWM as a standard.

Controls

A follow spot is Led Follow spot lights a manually operated light used to highlight actors, often in musicals or other presentational productions. The operator typically has control over the iris (size of the circle), color (through the use of drop-in gels), pan and tilt, and intensity or edge.

The stage manager typically calls the cues for the followspot, but it is up to the operator to execute those exact details. For example, the SM might call “Follow 1 on Hilda GO”, but it is up to the operator to know that the size of the circle should be 3/4 body and the color should be gel #4.

Fortunately, the advances in LED technology have allowed manufacturers to develop products that offer the brightness and intensity of traditional ERS lights, but with more control options for the operator. For instance, PRG has developed a ground control system that allows an electrician to manipulate the fixture remotely from a safe location, instead of being on top of a tower or in a truss.

Another great option is the Chauvet LED Followspot 75ST, which features a 75-watt white LED that creates a hard-edged beam for highlighting actors. It has DMX and manual controls to meet any application, and it includes a tripod for easy set up and tear down. It also has a mechanical iris, fast electronic strobe and no moving parts for silent operation, and super-smooth LED dimming for professional fading. It even has a single gobo slot for creating custom effects.

Safety

Followspots are powerful lights that can cause serious injury if you’re not careful. Make sure you have plenty of safety precautions in place before starting to work with them. Ideally, you should always have another person operate them for you. If you do this, they can warn you of any potential problems and help you avoid accidents.

You should also wear thick gloves and take frequent breaks while operating a followspot. This can be hot work, especially if you use a traditional carbon arc lamp. This kind of light generates its intense beam by discharging electricity between two carbon rods in free air. As the rods move closer together, they produce more current and create a brighter beam. If the followspot has sights, it’s a good idea to practice using them to ensure they’re properly aligned.

The Chauvet LED Followspot 75ST is a powerful follow spot that features a 75-watt white LED. This spot emits a tight, focused beam that’s perfect for highlighting actors at distances. It can be controlled by DMX or manually, and it has a mechanical iris that lets you reduce the size of the beam’s diameter. It also has a built-in CTO filter that can lower the color temperature to match tungsten lighting. This fixture is small and lightweight, making it easy to transport and set up.