LED Follow Spot Lights
A followspot is a must-have for any theatre production. It allows the lighting designer to highlight one particular character or action onstage by shooting a beam of light from behind them.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a followspot. We recommend looking at center beam candle power (CBCP) and foot-candles specs rather than wattage.
Power
A follow spot is a powerful stage light used to track performers during a live performance. These lights have a wide range of mechanisms that make it easy for the operator to adjust the focus and shape of the beam. They can also include internal color gels for more options in illuminating the performers onstage. Becoming a followspot operator requires a strong understanding of lighting and stage illumination, which can be learned through formal training courses. Practical experience can be gained through internships or part-time work at a theater or other performing arts venue.
Follow spotlights have been in use for decades, and their bright circle of light illuminates everything behind a performer — curtains, backdrops, and even video screens. Today, LED technology makes these fixtures far smaller and lighter than their incandescent counterparts while staying cool and consuming a fraction of the power.
Chauvet DJ’s LED Followspot 120ST uses a 75-watt white LED to deliver a tight, hard-edged beam. It’s easy to set up and tear down, thanks to a built-in tripod stand, and features DMX connectivity for more control from your main board.
With a few simple commands, you can change the color and intensity of the beam as well as activate the onboard strobe effect. You can also use the mechanical iris to narrow or widen the focus of the spotlight. And super-smooth LED dimming offers more flexibility and ease of operation than traditional incandescent followspots.
Dimming
Unlike traditional halogen followspots that use an intense discharge lamp that can be dimmed by mechanical shutters, LED follow spots require an external dimmer pack. This is because the LED driver is sealed inside, and the only way to get a Led Follow spot lights dimming control signal to it is to add an external dimmer.
This means you’ll probably want a trailing edge phase-cutting dimmer, which reduces the current to the LED by switching it on at one point in the mains cycle and off at another. Depending on the length of that off time, the light will appear to be either dimmed or bright.
Pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming is also available on some LED driver solutions. This works by turning the LED on and off at a very high rate of speed. This creates a dimmer effect in the human eye without creating any flicker, and is much safer for your LEDs than stepping down the voltage to an unsafe level.
Some follow spots are equipped with a DMX connector, which makes them easy to control from your lighting board. Other than this, you should expect them to be manual-controlled. Some have a built-in color temperature selector, while others include a gobo slot and iris/chopper. This allows you to customize your follow spot according to your production needs. Other features to look out for include a compact design and a low-profile chassis for easy setup and storage.
Beam Shape
In addition to the size and power of the lamp, the beam shape is a significant factor that determines the quality of a follow spot. Using a high-quality reflector and a lens, you can shape and focus the light to create different effects. Depending on the type of event you’re planning, a more focused beam can help you better highlight performers or objects and draw attention to them.
A follow spot is a powerful spotlight that can be manually controlled to track performers on stage. Typically, these lights are used to highlight a performer’s movements and add drama and dynamics to a performance. They’re also used in theaters, weddings, and opening/closing ceremonies.
There are many factors that go into making a great follow spot, including the size and power of the lamp, the shape of the beam, and how much it can swivel and tilt. The type of lens can also affect the brightness, clarity, and direction of the light.
A follow spot can help you avoid technical stops during a show by tracking the movement of performers. This way, you can be sure that the light is in the right position when it’s cued. Earlier methods of doing this involved using a dry erase board, sheets of paper, or colored or white gaffer’s tape. Those techniques have their downsides, however. They can cause the spotlight to move slightly from its intended location and disrupt the audience’s experience.
Controls
Follow spot lights have been a crucial stage lighting tool for decades. The name comes from the fact that these spotlights can “follow” a performer with a tight beam of light. This bright circle illuminates everything behind the performer, including scenery, curtains, cycloramas and video screens.
Follow Spots can be controlled with a remote control, or they can be set to operate with a professional automated program. They can also be operated in manual mode. Typically, this mode disables pan and tilt. However, they can still be steered by their X and Y axis angles. The dimmer, color, and strobe can be adjusted from the remote.
If the spotlights are a part of an automated system, they can be entered Single Row Led Light Bar into a Master/Slave mode with other fixtures. This means that they will automatically replicate the cues of any other fixture in the system. This can be useful for large shows with multiple followspots or if the follow spot operator is not available.
To become a successful follow spot operator, you must have excellent observation skills and reflexes. Familiarize yourself with different types of LED follow spots and their controls, and gain practical experience by working on a production crew or through internships. Having a strong understanding of lighting and stage illumination will also help, as will practicing using your new skills.