Focus Session - Laser?

[Charc]

I was just wondering, before starting a focus session on Monday, if anyone has any tips to speed up a focus session? I have people who want to focus, who want to help out, but aren't familiar with the shows. I have a friend who has a 10mW green laser (class IIIb), it is pretty powerful. I haven't tested it in the theater yet, but I think it should be pretty visible with the lights out to demonstrate to lighting techs where to focus an instrument. Has anyone ever tried this? Do you think this is easier then saying "no s.l., s.l.!". Has anyone tried this, or have any tips for a focus session?

Thanks,
Charlie

[stantonsound]

I have used the lasers that are built in to the moving head fixtures. They are pretty cool for focusing during the day, but that is pretty much it. All in all, the best is to map out your grids onto the floor for focusing and then telling someone to go stand on B6 and then have the instrument focused on it.

Have one person at the board and paying attention and one person in charge giving commands. It should only take a minute or two per fixture. Also, using common terminology is helpful.

Hard Focus/Soft Focus
Shutter it at "..."
Cut it off the legs/teasers
move it more up/down stage
etc.....

[Charc]

Originally Posted by stantonsound

I have used the lasers that are built in to the moving head fixtures. They are pretty cool for focusing during the day, but that is pretty much it. All in all, the best is to map out your grids onto the floor for focusing and then telling someone to go stand on B6 and then have the instrument focused on it.
Have one person at the board and paying attention and one person in charge giving commands. It should only take a minute or two per fixture. Also, using common terminology is helpful.
Hard Focus/Soft Focus
Shutter it at "..."
Cut it off the legs/teasers
move it more up/down stage
etc.....

Hehe. But, how do you use common terminology to someone 100% green?

[stantonsound]

Well, hope you don't have anything planned for Monday night, as you might be there for a while.

Ha Ha Ha

[pyrus]

Well, If he is green, then the laser should be great (green laser for green person )!

[Footer]

When running a focus, 99% of LD's have the light focused on them, not someone else. This speeds things up immensely. Instead of trying to convey a cut, flood, bottle, etc...., doing a simple cut to my foot, flood to my arms works very well. You can also catch hot spots much easier by actually looking into the light. The way I call a focus is... I stand where I want the person to put the hot spot, after its on me I call the cuts/flood/bottle rotation. After that I call barrel runs etc... When focusing always keep at least 2 positions moving at all times, so the second you get done with one position, you can begin another while the other position moves. I really do not see the need for using a laser to focus, seams to me that it would be a hindrance more then a help.

[Van]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

When running a focus, 99% of LD's have the light focused on them, not someone else. This speeds things up immensely. Instead of trying to convey a cut, flood, bottle, etc...., doing a simple cut to my foot, flood to my arms works very well. You can also catch hot spots much easier by actually looking into the light. The way I call a focus is... I stand where I want the person to put the hot spot, after its on me I call the cuts/flood/bottle rotation. After that I call barrel runs etc... When focusing always keep at least 2 positions moving at all times, so the second you get done with one position, you can begin another while the other position moves. I really do not see the need for using a laser to focus, seams to me that it would be a hindrance more then a help.

Hey ! Imagine this. I agree with footer!. When I'm LDing. I'm calling the focus. It's ," Hit me hot, middle of the chest, cut to my feet, soft out focus. Hold it. Love it ! Lock it! Next!. Depending on the theatre you can usually keep 2-3 guys focusing, with your ME calling out where the guys should move to next. One other person on the board and you've got a crew on. Lasers? we don't need no stinking lasers.

[gogotoovee]

I use a welding glass to look into the lights. Just the glass, not the whole mask. Yeah no burnt retinas!

[ScaredOfHeightsLD]

Originally Posted by gogotoovee

I use a welding glass to look into the lights. Just the glass, not the whole mask. Yeah no burnt retinas!

I recall seeing somewhere a circular gaffers type lens made of welding glass or something similar, but even with my best googling I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know of such an item and or where to get it?

[soundlight]

We use a lightweight flip-glass welding mask for looking in to the beam. It's great!