Amphitheater Followspot Effect

[Chris Stroschein]

Hello everyone,

I work in an outdoor amphitheater. We try to start our shows as late as we can get away with but unfortunately there is still too much light in the sky for effective lighting to really happen until the second act of most plays. The current show we are staging has a l lot of little bits dealing with a followspot. We don't have a real followspot, instead we have an ellipsoidal with a little iris doo-dad that fits into the glass gobo slot.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might make such an effect even slightly noticeable?

Thanks!

Chris

 

[microstar]

A much brighter follow spot??

 

[Dionysus]

The only thing that will make this more noticeable is a brighter fixture. You need to "overpower" the ambient and direct sunlight (along with any other light sources).
A "Hard Edge" and flat field will also help it stand out.

What fixture are you using currently as your spot? What is it lamped at?

You may indeed need to rent or buy an actual follow spot or much brighter fixture to get the intensity you require.

 

[Chris Stroschein]

The only thing that will make this more noticeable is a brighter fixture. You need to "overpower" the ambient and direct sunlight (along with any other light sources).
A "Hard Edge" and flat field will also help it stand out.

What fixture are you using currently as your spot? What is it lamped at?

You may indeed need to rent or buy an actual follow spot or much brighter fixture to get the intensity you require.

We have a 19 degree Source 4 with an iris accessory. It probably has either a 500W or 750W lamp in it.

 

[JD]

We have a 19 degree Source 4 with an iris accessory. It probably has either a 500W or 750W lamp in it.

Commonly known as "A Source Four on a Stick." If you were competing with just the stage lighting, then bumping up the color temperature with a correction filter would make it a bit more noticeable. But you are not. You are competing with the sun which is already at a higher color temperature, and has a heck of a lot more power behind it! There is no inexpensive solution to the problem. Hard focus will help, but what you really need is some brute force. That will probably involve bumping up to a much brighter (and more expensive) spot. Note, I did not say "more wattage." A 575 watt HMI follow spot will give you a much higher output than any incandescent spotlight. Rent something in this class and give it a try. If that does not cut it, you may have to go to a 1200 watt HMI, or even a xenon arc light. Still, try the 575 first. There are some nice ones out there, and you should be able to find one used in the $2,500 range. (4 to 5 thousand new.) Stay away from those in the DJ market. Much cheaper but you are missing needed features.

 

[PeteEngel]

Give HB Sound in Grand Forks or Fargo ND a call. They have 1200w Topaze followspots in rental stock. That should do the trick.

 

[RickR]

A conversation with the director/producers might also be in order. (No demands or arguments, just tell them what's going on. And listen to what they say)

Fighting Nature is known to be expensive and technically challenging. While too late for this show, they should keep the facilities limits in mind earlier in the process.

 

[lwinters630]

What comes to mind is the purpose of lighting. Visibility and mood. With bright daylight, visibility is not the problem. Perhaps using something to accent color behind the act on a backdrop or smoke will make them pop more.