Thank you so much for this video. I'm going to a training soon where they will teach us how to operate this kind of spotlight, and yours was the only video that covers specifically this kind of model. So at least I have a good visual reference.
The audience is seating while you're goofing around! That being said, thanks for the tips. I can't tell you how many shackles I've hung and taped to the handle because I didn't know about the balance weight.
@@praestant8 sometimes you get thrown at a nee job position with no warning. Once youve done it a few times you assume you understand how they work which isn't always correct !
Yeah They call it a Followspot for a reason. There is no way to automatically operate a spotlight with anykind of DMX control as everything moves and there are an infinite number of possible targeting options. We frequently do video projection from the front of the balcony but never place the projector as far back as the spotlights are.
@@wooferhound7571 Well, there are remote followspot options, still human operated, these days using moving heads, but IMO they aren't as nice as the real thing.
How do you put it to where the audience cant here it because I'm I spotlight op at my school and everyone can here or the whole time. Do you have any suggestions P.S. it is also out in the open at the top of the last seats
What makes a spotlight loud is the Cooling Fan, so the only way to make it quiet is to put the fan in another location and bring the air in the light through ventilation hoses. The only other way that I know is expensive, build a Spotlight Booth.
Since the xenon bulbs are highly pressurized, they are dangerous to handle without special protection, and there are tamperproof screws that hold the cover over the bulb. The gear needed is the same as for Welding: Face Shield and covers over your arms. The bulb must be completely cooled before trying to change it.
Be sure to touch it with clean gloves on. Getting grease or other smutz on it could easily destroy the bulb. It can explode hazardously if you heat it back up to operating temperature while dirty.
I'm amazed at how little is already known today, how much has been forgotten, about carbon arc follow spots. There seems to be an increasing amount of misinformation about a technology that, if operated competently, really worked very well.
You got that right 100%. Same thoughts from me, who started operating a Strong Trouper back in 1972 when I was just 13 years old! My dad was the lightning director of the Club Tropicoro at El San Juan Hotel, Puerto Rico. So he taught me how to use the trouper at that age and my first show, I'll never forget, was The Barry Systers. Followed by Vicky Karr, Los Chavales de España, Bobby Vinton, Al Martino, Paul Anka, Ben Vereen, Enzo Stuarti, Tonny Bennet, Shirley Bassey and many MANY more!, till I was 17 and then I took a pause to join the ARMY. Then, when I got out of the ARMY and came back, my father was sick so I took over as lightning director for a couple of years then the hotel went bankrupt (chapter 13) and that was it. Those were the best years of my life and I still dream about light queues and operating the follow spot. If I can get my hands on one, or even a super trouper, it's like riding a bike because It's all burned in my soul how to operate it in a very artistic way as the way we were trained back then, as the demand for precision and artistic lighting has been lost and these days it's never the same as back in the late 60's and 70's. Good times! ( BTW, I was able to change carbons in 20 seconds, as teased several times form the other two spotlight operators who were in their late teens (18 and 19) and I beat them up every time! lol :)
Thank you so much for this video. I'm going to a training soon where they will teach us how to operate this kind of spotlight, and yours was the only video that covers specifically this kind of model. So at least I have a good visual reference.
Thank you Dr. Phil...
The audience is seating while you're goofing around! That being said, thanks for the tips. I can't tell you how many shackles I've hung and taped to the handle because I didn't know about the balance weight.
Know your equipment!
@@praestant8 sometimes you get thrown at a nee job position with no warning. Once youve done it a few times you assume you understand how they work which isn't always correct !
Excellent and concise explanation, thank you!
Nice talk buddy .. I couldn,t have said it better my self ..
thank you~!
Wow, no dmx, hand held u know, that is fab. Dose that location have 35/16 mm projectors too?
Yeah They call it a Followspot for a reason. There is no way to automatically operate a spotlight with anykind of DMX control as everything moves and there are an infinite number of possible targeting options. We frequently do video projection from the front of the balcony but never place the projector as far back as the spotlights are.
@@wooferhound7571 Well, there are remote followspot options, still human operated, these days using moving heads, but IMO they aren't as nice as the real thing.
@@praestant8 I saw Disney On Ice last year. They were using automated Followspots that were far better than any human could do.
How do you put it to where the audience cant here it because I'm I spotlight op at my school and everyone can here or the whole time. Do you have any suggestions P.S. it is also out in the open at the top of the last seats
What makes a spotlight loud is the Cooling Fan, so the only way to make it quiet is to put the fan in another location and bring the air in the light through ventilation hoses. The only other way that I know is expensive, build a Spotlight Booth.
Its called a followspot
You can call it both. But I guess follow spot is a little more professional
How do you change the light bulbs when they go out?
Since the xenon bulbs are highly pressurized, they are dangerous to handle without special protection, and there are tamperproof screws that hold the cover over the bulb. The gear needed is the same as for Welding: Face Shield and covers over your arms. The bulb must be completely cooled before trying to change it.
Be sure to touch it with clean gloves on. Getting grease or other smutz on it could easily destroy the bulb. It can explode hazardously if you heat it back up to operating temperature while dirty.
Somehow it’s not the same without carbon arcs. Controls are similar though.
I'm amazed at how little is already known today, how much has been forgotten, about carbon arc follow spots. There seems to be an increasing amount of misinformation about a technology that, if operated competently, really worked very well.
You got that right 100%. Same thoughts from me, who started operating a Strong Trouper back in 1972 when I was just 13 years old! My dad was the lightning director of the Club Tropicoro at El San Juan Hotel, Puerto Rico. So he taught me how to use the trouper at that age and my first show, I'll never forget, was The Barry Systers. Followed by Vicky Karr, Los Chavales de España, Bobby Vinton, Al Martino, Paul Anka, Ben Vereen, Enzo Stuarti, Tonny Bennet, Shirley Bassey and many MANY more!, till I was 17 and then I took a pause to join the ARMY. Then, when I got out of the ARMY and came back, my father was sick so I took over as lightning director for a couple of years then the hotel went bankrupt (chapter 13) and that was it. Those were the best years of my life and I still dream about light queues and operating the follow spot. If I can get my hands on one, or even a super trouper, it's like riding a bike because It's all burned in my soul how to operate it in a very artistic way as the way we were trained back then, as the demand for precision and artistic lighting has been lost and these days it's never the same as back in the late 60's and 70's. Good times! ( BTW, I was able to change carbons in 20 seconds, as teased several times form the other two spotlight operators who were in their late teens (18 and 19) and I beat them up every time! lol :)
As you know, I’ve been out awhile. This video is the perfect refresher course
Also sign me up for The Best Spotlight Operator Ever class 😊
It’s not the same as it was with the old carbon arcs.
Who wanted to change carbons every hour or so?
Decades ago I ran a spot frequently that had a faulty Carbon feed motor. Had to advance the carbons manually about every 30 seconds.