Source 4 as follow spot

[Techiegirly]

I am going to be staring tech week 2 days from now as a follow spot op using a Source 4. I've run follow spot for almost 10 years and have never been told to use a Source 4. I know it's not something new or unheard of and I'm actually pretty excited about learning something new and different but I'm kind of scared I'm going to always be missing my mark. I was actually taught on a Super Trouper without sights but have gotten so spolied having been in theatres recently that use the little target follow spot sight and now obviously I cannot with a Source 4. I am also very worried about gel changes because I will be running it from the AP's over the house. There is nothing stopping me from accidently dropping one and I am a clumsy mother ****er

Has anyone had experience with using one as a follow spot?

[icewolf08]

I have used S4s as spots many times. The key is finding a way to sight along the unit without burning yourself. Really all you need to do is sit and practice with it as long as they will let you. Make sure you bring a good pair of gloves, Setwear Hothands are great for this. Other than that, I think you will get used to it, it is like working with any new follow spot.

[Footer]

Get cardboard "safety frames", or put tie line on all the frames or some other sort of cable to "safety" them to the fixture/batten. If you are running a raw S4, they are hard to get used to because there is really no good way to pan, if you are running one with the fully city theatrical treatment, you will probably like it better then the trouper.

[Techiegirly]

Yeah I'm actually not a big fan of the Trouper now that I've used other spots. Whenever I get a call from houses that I know use Troupers I'm like,"ugh, I guess I can work"..."have you called everyone else yet to see if anyone else isn't busy that day?"
Troupers are just so big and clunky and hard to make a good show with in my opinion. The smaller the spot the better because I can make such pretty shows with a manageable spot.

THe S4 will have the whole set-up for being run as a spot. It's just going to be so weird for me.

[Pie4Weebl]

you could coax the venue into buying/renting an spotlight color changed for the unit, they work just like a normal spotlight, but sadly aren't large enough for a 10 degree fixture, you can also use a spot dot with source 4's too...

[Techiegirly]

I wasn't aware that you could even get a Spot Dot onto a S4. I don't actually own one I've just been lucky enough to have them already there for my use at the houses I'm employed by. I have never actually seen a "Spot Dot" persay but there's another tool called a "Telrad Follow Spot Sight", see link: http://roadietools.com/spotsight.html which I've used often. Those things are G-R-E-A-T! I highly reccommend them. I wouldn't have time to order my own what with tech week starting day after tomorrow. Plus since every where I've been working already has them I'd feel stupid buying one just for this show....

[Pie4Weebl]

could you borrow one from another venue?

[Techiegirly]

I doubt it. I'm going to be doing an almost 2 month run. but thanks for the suggestion.

[Charc]

I have a spot dot 2000... yep. Lent it out once... had the op leave the battery on for over 24 hours... that was exciting. (Yea, I'm cheap like that!)

Hey, Techiegirly... at least you have work! If they can't get anyone to work a gig, tell them to give me a call... uh I'll just need a cross country plane ticket.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by Techiegirly

I wasn't aware that you could even get a Spot Dot onto a S4. I don't actually own one I've just been lucky enough to have them already there for my use at the houses I'm employed by. I have never actually seen a "Spot Dot" persay but there's another tool called a "Telrad Follow Spot Sight", see link: http://roadietools.com/spotsight.html which I've used often. Those things are G-R-E-A-T! I highly reccommend them. I wouldn't have time to order my own what with tech week starting day after tomorrow. Plus since every where I've been working already has them I'd feel stupid buying one just for this show....

Most places I work don't supply them, most of the guys who want them just buy their own. I personally am a horrible spot op so I don't own one, because they don't help me... I have no attention span. Call a local telescope shop, they usually sell them. They were originally intended for that purpose, we just ported them over. Just buy the thing, it will be worth the nerves it will save and be a good piece to have so when you are working places that don't have them/the ones they do have are a piece of junk.

http://www.company7.com/telrad/products/telrad.html

and some interesting history

http://www.company7.com/telrad/index.html