Follow Spots: Don't worry, your light will find you!

Hugging a light to stay warm, or to warm up the show?

A followspot, or spotlight, is a powerful stage lighting instrument that projects a bright beam of light onto a performance space or performer. Spotlights are controlled by a spotlight operator who tracks performers around the stage. Spotlights are most commonly used in concerts, musicals and large-scale productions where highlighting a specific, often mobile, individual is imperative. They can also be used in smaller productions where highlighting a specific performer is crucial to the overall presentation. Many stage electricians get their start in theatre as followspot operators. Becoming a good operator takes practice and a smooth movement. StageSpot carries a few items that can help.

Location. Location. Location.

Followspots may be located in control booths, specially built “spot booths,â€ on a catwalk, or even inside of a truss to name a few places. Spotlights may be arranged in a variety of patterns for coverage. In theatre they are often located front of house, aimed towards the stage. In situations such as this, it is crucial to have a reliable communication system in place to ensure all cues may be heard. In circus or high action sports environments, follow spots may be arranged around the space covering both sides and the ends. In many places, spot locations are at the mercy of the architect who designed the space.  When adding a new spotlight to a space, keep in mind they tend to get very hot.  Picking a space with excellent ventilation is crucial in followspot placement.  Ventilation may be inadequate if you need to open the door to the roof, in Buffalo, in the winter, and still wear shorts to be comfortable.

So I just plug it in, right?

A typical followspot will have a strong light source, often a high-intensity discharge lamp. The followspot operator will also adjust the iris as necessary to keep the spotlight beam within the design determined by the lighting designer. A telrad spotting scope is useful to followspot operators to assist in finding and keeping their mark. A manual device to adjust the intensity of the light is occasionally found on some models. If need be, a color boomerang will be used to change color gels easily during a performance. Some may even include gobo holders to help create a variety of effects.

Keep hugging those lights and warming up the performers. While the audience may never notice this light, they sure would miss it if it were gone.