I went to another high school within my district to borrow a few lamps from them (we usually "borrow" expendables from other schools when we are low and they "borrow" from us as well). While there I couldn't help but notice that they were using modified Source Four's as followspots. This struck me as somewhat odd. All high schools in my district including mine and this one have two Altman Comets. I know they have them because I volunteered to help move them up to their positions before their musical. I asked their TD about it before I left and he said that the reason they used them is because the director liked the way they looked better.
I personally think they look the same and it would be much favorable to use the comet opposed to the modified source four. First of all, the independent control is a plus (in my book at least), they do not need to take up a channel, they have the gel changers and of course they are not committed to cues. I like to think one of the best aspects of the followspot is the fact that it is independent and can roll with the punches.
Is this common practice in the industry to use modified source fours regularly as followspots when the venue has good followspots to use? Do any other High Schools out there do this same thing? Am I right in my thinking that a modified source four or any ellipsoidal for that matter would not be as good as something comparable to the Altman Comet?
I personally think they look the same and it would be much favorable to use the comet opposed to the modified source four. First of all, the independent control is a plus (in my book at least), they do not need to take up a channel, they have the gel changers and of course they are not committed to cues. I like to think one of the best aspects of the followspot is the fact that it is independent and can roll with the punches.
Is this common practice in the industry to use modified source fours regularly as followspots when the venue has good followspots to use? Do any other High Schools out there do this same thing? Am I right in my thinking that a modified source four or any ellipsoidal for that matter would not be as good as something comparable to the Altman Comet?