LED Follow Spot Lights
A follow spot is a spotlight that is operated by a spot operator. The SM calls out specific follow spot cues in the show’s script, and these are executed by the spot operator (who also has a plot sheet).
This LED followspot emits a tight beam, is powered by bright 120W LED, and features DMX & Manual control modes. Its fast electronic strobe and smooth LED dimming make fading easy.
Power
The follow spot is a powerful stage lighting tool used to highlight performers with a tight beam of light. It is operated by a spotlight operator and can be adjusted on the fly to track a specific actor moving around the stage. It can also be controlled to change the iris size and color (through use of drop in gels) as well as pan and tilt.
Whether you’re planning to upgrade your existing follow spot or purchase your first, choosing the right one for your show is important. Step one is to determine the amount of footcandles you want onstage. This is important for both a traditional follow spot and an LED version.
An LED follow spot will be much brighter than a traditional one but will also require less power. LED lights are a great choice for large shows and touring productions because of their durability, energy efficiency, and color consistency.
Becoming a followspot operator requires a good understanding of lighting and stage illumination, which can be gained through training courses or workshops. It is also helpful to have practical experience, which can be achieved through internships or part-time work in a theater or concert venue. If you’re considering becoming a followspot operator, ask an experienced professional for advice on how to get started. They can provide guidance on the equipment you need and how to best operate it to create unique visual experiences for audiences.
Dimming
The operating system of this LED follow spot light is carefully designed to allow you to easily and quickly adjust the focus of the beam. This allows you to accurately follow a actor’s movements and create a spectacular stage effect.
Most follow spots have a local dimmer, separate from the main stage lighting system. This dimmer allows the operator to set their own Minimum Level for the lights. This is how the operator knows how dim Led Follow spot lights the lights can get before they start to flicker or turn off completely. The dimmer also has the ability to set the lights into various curves that are optimized for smooth dimming at lower intensities and over longer timed fades.
Another way to control the brightness of an LED fixture is by using modulating signals on the power line. This is sometimes used for fixtures that are designed to work with smart dimmer systems, but it can also be used on regular LEDs as long as you have a fixture Single Row Led Light Bar that supports the DMX protocol and the dimmer you are using is compatible with the driver.
Some older followspots, particularly those appropriate for large theatres, use carbon arc source lamps which are not dimmable. This type of lamp generates bright light by an electrical discharge between two carbon rods in free air. This produces a light that is brighter at the center than it is at the edges. The edges can be softened with a lens adjustment, but this is not typically something that is readily done during a show.
Color Temperature
Color temperature is a term that refers to the color of a light source. Essentially, a light with a higher CCT (correlated color temperature) will look warmer, while one with a lower CCT will appear cooler and bluer. For example, a traditional incandescent bulb has a low CCT of around 2700K, while bright white sunlight typically has a high CCT of about 5500K.
LED follow spot lights can adjust their color temperature to match the color of a scene or backdrop. This can help actors, musicians, and performers to better see their surroundings as well as the costumes that they are wearing. It also allows for more realistic lighting, which can help to add a sense of realism to the performance.
A LED follow spot can be easily adjusted to meet the needs of a specific setting, such as changing its color temperature or adding a gobos. This can be done using the control panel or by remotely controlling it through a standard DMX 512 protocol.
Our LED followspots are ideal for professional use in a variety of settings, including educational, theatrical, athletic, and religious venues. They are easy to use and lightweight enough for one person to handle, which makes them a great choice for any type of performance. In addition, our LEDs are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Controls
If you want to become a follow spot operator, you need to have a strong interest in stage lighting and the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances. Getting hands-on experience with the different types of lights and their controls is essential, whether through internships or part-time work at a theater or other venue. Familiarizing yourself with the various control systems is also important, and some training courses and workshops can help you learn the basics.
A traditional followspot consists of a high-powered lamp, a reflector and a lens that shape and focus the light beam. The reflector helps to maximize the brightness and intensity of the light, while the lens allows the spotlight to track performers on stage. Many of these spotlights have controls that allow the operator to adjust the direction and intensity of the beam. These controls include pan and tilt movements, as well as zooming, focusing, and adjusting the beam size.
Some followspots also have a feature called the chopper, which closes a gate of opposite shutters at the top and bottom of the light. This can be useful when tracking several people with a single follow spot, such as a dance line or a band. The chopper can also be used to create different shapes with the beam. The Stage Manager will typically call specific follow spot cues on the plot sheet, such as “Spot 1 on Hilda GO,” which tells the operator to set the size of the beam at 3/4 body and use gel #4.
