Hi Victoria. To avoid a presentational "show" effect for more realistic musicals, we replaced the lower pipe on the follow spot stand with a shorter pipe, so we could operate it from the Catwalk/1st FOH position. Amy had the same solution. This increased the angle to approximately 45 degrees, instead of the almost full front light from the control booth level. This all but eliminated the shadows of the performers that were cast on scenery when the follow spots were on the control booth level. The other thing was that we softened focus a little on the follow spots so there wasn't a defined circle of light, but just an area that had a little kick in intensity.
One thing to check is that when you plug a follow spot into your FOH, make sure your follow spot lamp is not overloading the circuit/dimmer. Many dimmers are 1,200 watts capacity, and some follow spot lamps can be 1,500 watts.
The other thing to make sure of is that the follow spot(s) are secured to the FOH, and the operators are wearing fall arrest gear, depending on your FOH/catwalk. If there's difficult access to the FOH, this idea would not work at all.
Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2015 13:03
From: Amy Ariel
Subject: Moving Heads for Follow Spots
Hi Victoria,
I know I'm catching onto this thread a bit late, but have you considered using regular old SourceFours with a gel (or ColorSources, the LED equivalent that wouldn't require a gel)?
My school (and several other venues around the community) have full-size followspots but rarely use them because their beam angle doesn't define the actors on stage well.
Instead, we install two or more SourceFours in the catwalk to get the better 45° angle and have our operators located there.
However, depending on the brightness of your show, the SourceFours might not cut through the light enough and be able to make much of a difference.
Hope this helps!
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Amy Ariel
Henrico VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-02-2015 08:34
From: Victoria Kesling Councill
Subject: Moving Heads for Follow Spots
Hi! A Congo Jr. is more than capable of operating a moving light. It's actually better equipped for that as opposed to stationary lighting. (Ie- it's got so many more capabilities than I'm currently using)
Are the Vari-Lite moving or stationary LEDs? I'm also looking at replacing some of my current lights with LEDs. We currently have 27 Source Four Jr., 5 6571 Series Triple Lamps for Cyc Lights, and 36 Source Four Pars/ Source Four ParNels.
I'm thinking I'd like to replace some of my Source Four Pars/ Source Four ParNels with some LEDs. Has anyone had any luck trading their older lights in for new ones at a reduced cost?
In terms of follow spot capabilities, I have one spotlight but where it is positioned means for a very "show" kind of lighting effect when used as a follow spot. I typically only use it for Chorus shows or "shows within a show" like in Cabaret, Chicago, or Anything Goes. Since the show is Les Mis it must be much more subtle than that. In terms of isolation and the like I'm typically okay with using my Source Four Jrs but feel that I won't be able to stretch them quite as far as is needed for this show.
Advice?
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Victoria Kesling Councill
Chapter Director - VA EdTA/ Virginia Thespians
Theatre Director- Fine & Performing Arts Department NKHS
Artistic Director - NKHS Trojan Theatre
Artistic Director - Kent England Exchange Production
Virginia Commonwealth University BFA Theatre Education, BFA Art Education '08
University of Houston - MA in Theatre Candidate '16
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art." - Konstantin Stanislavski
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-02-2015 05:58
From: Dana Taylor
Subject: Moving Heads for Follow Spots
Hello,
The $2000 you mentioned for rental should be more than enough, however, using moving heads for follow spots is problematic in that they may not be able to move as you need them to.
Depending on your lighting board (and I am unfamiliar with the capabilities of the Congo Jr.), they may not be able to move in straight lines as you may need. If you do decide to do this, I think LED fixtures might be easier to work with. Their power requirements are more easily met (120v vs. 240v) and they weigh less.
I would recommend looking at Vari-lite fixtures (spot and not wash)
Best wishes,
Dana
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Dana Taylor
MSD of Mt. Vernon
Evansville IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-01-2015 09:24
From: Victoria Kesling Councill
Subject: Moving Heads for Follow Spots
Hello all! I'm hoping someone out here can help me with this...
I'm starting on Les Mis which will be my show next fall and am interested in investing in the purchase or rental of some moving heads. For the purposes of Les Mis I need them for spotlight purposes on one or two actors at a time and don't necessarily need them to have Gobo Abilities but color properties would be preferable.
I'm trying to figure out what kind I should be looking at and I have little experience with them. As you can imagine, I have a limited budget for them as well. I can mount them on my electrics on stage so distance isn't too significant a factor but I want to make the best and most economical choice.
I have a Congo Jr. lighting board so it appears that it can easily handle the addition of moving heads but I may be wrong. Any advice in the matter would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to acquire two of them and am looking at spending $2K or less on the purchase or rental of them.
Thanks so much!
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Artistic Director - Kent England Exchange Production
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