LED Follow Spot Lights
Followspots are operated by a spotlight operator to highlight performers in theatre and other presentational productions. The operator controls the iris and shutters to control the size of the beam, and internal color gels to change its color.
This LED followspot produces a tight beam using an efficient, 75-watt white LED. It offers DMX and manual modes to simplify professional fading and features mechanical lens controls for a hard-edged spot.
Power
Follow spot lights are a powerful light controlled by an operator to highlight a specific performer with a focused beam of light. These spotlights can be used to keep the audience’s attention and to add dynamics to any stage performance. They are able to be controlled by the operator and can change color (through drop in gels) and focus. They are often used in theatrical performances and come in a range of sizes to meet any stage needs.
The follow spotlight is also known as a limelight and was first developed in 1956. The original limelights were powered by a jet of oxygen and hydrogen impinging on a rotatable cylinder of lime which produces an intense light. Later, these limelights were replaced by carbon arcs. Mole Richardson, a well-known movie lighting technician, has a great demonstration of how a carbon arc follow spotlight works here.
LEDs are now used to power the limelight as well, as they are more energy Stage Lighting Supplier efficient than halogen bulbs. They are also much easier to control because they can be dimmed without stroboscopic effects, making them ideal for use in theaters, television stations, and night clubs. This high-powered follow spotlight features a 75-watt white LED for a hardedge, focused beam and is easy to set up and tear down. A built-in CTO filter lowers the color temperature to match tungsten lamps and a mechanical iris makes it easy to focus the beam. Super smooth LED dimming makes professional fading a breeze and a single gobo slot lets you project patterns on any surface.
Control
Followspots are one of the most powerful lighting tools available for stage shows and are used to highlight specific actors or props with a focused beam of light. They are often used in conjunction with a hazer to create more visual impact and add to the atmosphere of a performance. They can be operated manually or remotely and often have internal color changing abilities and attributes. While traditional discharge lamps are still widely used there is a growing preference for LED versions that provide more power and versatility at a lower cost. Leading industry provider Robert Juliat offers an extensive range of LED followspots that are perfect for theater applications.
LED bulbs produce less heat than their discharge counterparts and as a result emit a smaller amount of light. This allows the follow spot to be easily dimmed without causing unwanted color shifts in the beam. This makes them a great choice for use in high intensity situations that require a consistent look across the stage.
The control panel of a follow spot light is usually quite large with various controls, but some manufacturers now offer a version that is much more compact and simpler to operate. Many of these feature a digital display and a number of preset effects that can be activated with the press of a button. They are also very easy to set up and operate as they are powered by a simple DMX signal.
Dimming
The follow spot light operating system is carefully designed to allow you to quickly and accurately adjust the lighting to follow your performers’ every move, ensuring that the audience is constantly focused on the action. Our LED follow spot lights have a range of features that make it easy to do just that!
Followspots typically use a carbon arc (also known as an arc lamp) that produces an intense beam of light by discharging electrical current between two carbon rods in free air. This happens when they are brought close together to start the flow of electricity, then moved apart slightly to create the intense beam of light.
In contrast, the newer generation of follow spots uses an LED lamp that is completely dimmable. This allows the operator to control the intensity and edge of the beam with relative ease. This is not something that can be done on traditional ERS instruments, which only have one light source and are often used in large theatres.
A traditional ERS instrument will have one feature that cuts off part of the light from above and below, however, and this is called a chopper. The chopper opens and closes a pair of opposite shutters in the top and bottom of the beam, much like a stylized dowser, shutting off some of the light and creating a soft edge on the beam.
Color
When a performance becomes a true spectacle, a spotlight that follows the action is crucial. Our follow spot LED lights provide rich, saturated color and a powerful beam of light that allows you to add a unique look to your stage show.
The CS600LED followspot from Chauvet features a high-brightness LED lamp that delivers power and efficiency. The powerful 750-watt beam can illuminate large stages, yet the fixture is less than half the size and 5 in 1 spotlight weight of traditional followspots. The CS600LED offers full electronic dimming, onboard strobe effect and multiple color options for maximum control.
Easily change the size and intensity of the beam with mechanical iris and focus controls, plus a built-in CTO filter that lowers the color temperature to match tungsten lamps. The CS600LED is easy to set up and operate, with a quick setup time, simple controls and no moving parts.
Unlike traditional followspots, the FS600LED LED follow spot can be controlled remotely using DMX. This feature allows your lighting operator to focus on tracking the performers and handling the changes from the main board, which is essential for tightening up your cues and pulling off flawless transitions.
