Well the
Strand guy did some tricks with the
dimmer curve and got the fluro's "working correctly". Unfortunately, that hasn't changed the fact that they are
BUTT UGLY! I hate the blink off. I hate the
color temperature. They look fine at full up but get really weird at lower levels.
I've got the dean coming over to hear my sales
pitch to buy a dozen scoops for
house lights. I was thinking just a basic
Altman 14"
Scoop. Anyone have any other suggestions?
Gafftaper I agree with some of the others you might find that regulations specified the fluro's. In your dislike of the fluro's the only thing I could see that might be a problem to other people is the colour temperature. But this could be changed by just changing the fluro's tubes. Is the temperature too cold / warm?
If the lights only dim part way before going to
blackout the audience won't mind. They only look at the dimming as an indication. The only place I can see a problem is if the
theatre will be used for lectures where the lights need to be part way down so people can take notes. If the lighting makes people uncomfortable then its a problem.
As someone else has pointed out, the existing wiring for the fluro's may not be rated for incandescents so that could be a hidden cost in your plan.
If this is the worst problem you find with the
theatre then you are doing well. In this case I would be saying to myself I might not like it personally but is spending other peoples money to fix something I don't like an appropriate use of their money.
For instance if you change the lights the
power consumption goes up. The
incandescent lights will probably not last as long. Also how hard will it be to get up and change a
bulb. What
effect will the extra heat have on the building. I would probably find blown
incandescent bulbs uglier then working fluro's.
Also I would be concerned at loosing goodwill by complaining over something that may not be really an operational problem. The dean might agree with you totally then again they might feel that lights that don't dim all the way to black is just being picky.
Having being in on the opening of a new
theatre where I had to fight to get the sound
system wiring to actually match the designers plan I would save the fluro's for last. This is the sort of thing that six month's later when they tell you what a wonderfull job you have done and ask "is there anything you need" I would bring up the Fluro's if they are still a problem.
Out of the two problems you have presented us the lack of guardrails on the cat walks and the fluro's I know which one I would be moving heaven and earth to fix.
Please don't take this personally it is how I see thing from a purely
practical background.