Follow spots - type, size, suppliers etc

Hi all I note the predominant users of this site are "sand gropers"; “theatre people” seems to be the medium in Victoria. I do note some Vics also by the way… Moi, I now reside in Qld for my sins....but an ex (Vic) Mexican…………WhitehorseMusicalTheatre….. Guys n' Dolls re those familiar will know I am their “Gaffer” Production Designer/ Manager extraordinaire. We are sourcing 2x Follow Spots supply. The auditorium we use has a longish throw - some 100 feet - and I want something with style, grunt, colours would be nice. I saw these iSolution 1200 (1200w) spots in Federation Square Melbourne a few years ago and was impressed. Didn't see them lit up but their technical’s were ab fab. This control panel at the back provides everything. Anyone with the knowledge of a decent "dome" as they are called in some parts would be appreciated. Obviously budget is the underlying factor........ Good chatting with some of you Peter Probert

prolite are in your neck of the woods. Google them. They have some reasonably priced items I believe. I by the way am a crow eater and I am fairly sure there are some others. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

As usual there are no simple answers, all the newer and cheaper Chinese made hmi follow spots are very bright and cheap, but are all noisy being fan cooled,and have ballasts, so are not good in an open theatre.Selecon make a Pacific 80 volt unit which is silent bright and about twice the price.No point in talking about most other gear it's way dearer.I quite like Prolite gear but I have yet to see a good follow spot from them, their 1kw units are less than impressive.I did convert a 765 to a 1200 hmi and that worked well but is not a simple answer unless you have a couple in your shed.

So long and thanks for all the fish.

Well this turned into a pissing contest pretty quick. Good luck with your quest Peter. Pacific 80v spots are a great. Don.. I must say, while your postings are very comprehensive and generous in their offerings of information, in this particular instance you have sidetracked from the point of the original question, all in the name of tooting your own horn! I think we all understand that you obviously know your stuff and are a very intelligent person, however I think it is really unnecessary to almost use this against people who are asking the simplest of questions. He asked for suggestions on followspots, not a lesson in physics. I can appreciate that some of what you have mentioned in your reply is directly related to the original question, and for that I can withdraw the above comments. But it really is a joke and you would be doing many people a favour by simplifying your choice of words (I'm sure you are familiar with the Retroencabulator and Flux Capacitor), giving a broader range of analogies and not using such a patronising tone in your posts! I think it is great to have someone like yourself posting in these kinds of forums, but for all the "newbies" and knowledge-seekers, it is very daunting trying to understand so much information about the theatre/technical production world, let alone trying to dicpher such a huge amount of Jargan! Idea: for your next informative post, perhaps it should be a glossary of lighting theory terminology and other definitions. Somebody had to say it, I'm not a trying to start an argument, just passing on some friendly advice. There's nothing worse than a know-it-all.

Keng, I studied lighting design and have worked in various lighting roles. I had no trouble understanding Don's description of how lighting works. Perhaps, if you find the above so confusing, you should sign up for the (free) registration and start your own glossary of terms here. I'm sure many of us would appreciate the addition of more text on complicated tech topics. The post may have been slightly off topic, but the information is useful and practical, and a good reminder of the basics of lighting design. Jellyfish shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

Na, this was not directed at you and it is really wonderful that YOU understand what he is talking about, but the fact remains that it is complicated! If you want this website to be accessible for all people of all levels of wisdom then I think there needs to be some more feedback on some of the informative posts that are put on this website, and I have noticed that Don regularly posts with some very complex theories and descriptions. So here's your feedback. Quite frankly, it is very annoying to see and hear people in the technical theatre/production industry constantly high-horsing themselves, being the devil's advocate and delivering assaults of verbal diahorrea on topics that are somewhat irrelevant to the original point all because of their "that's what I know - aren't I important - look at me - everyone else is a numpty" attitude! If you want to do that then go on the ALIA or Lightnetwork website and you'll feel right at home. Not that it matters, but I am infact a registered user of this website, I have just forgotten my password.

OK Keng So long and thanks for all the fish.

Well, I personally don't get it... I'm guessing what you actually mean to say is something like "lighting is complex and some of us don't know how to do lighting and therefore any conversation on it should be explained to those who haven't done lighting"? I agree the site should be accessible, but I think if you're expecting this site to teach you the basics of lighting, then perhaps you're in the wrong place. I haven't heard anyone 'high-horsing' themselves in terms of theatre production, only experienced people discussing how best to create a good lighting design within a budget. But then, I suppose because I understand the concepts behind lighting design, I have a different POV. (Now if we had a discussion on sound design, I'd be all confusled) Last point: if you didn't understand what was being talked about, there are more polite ways of asking the people above to explain what they mean, and I can guarantee you no one would think less of you for doing so. What you've just done now is come off as yet another Walter Whiner who complains about this site and never actually does anything to change it and will be ignored as such. As I said, there's a glossary and an FAQ, and it's up to us members to expand on it. Some of the tech regulars have been doing so, and if it's too 'jargony' for your liking, then find your registration details and write your own FAQ page. Or I don't know: go read the FAQ and some of the previous threads on lighting which have been remarkably easy for the lay person to understand. Or go read Stephen Dean's excellent blog (Ramblings of a Techie) where he discusses a range of tech topics in easy-to-read language. Jellyfish shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

Na, you suggest a lot of alternatives, all of which I know about and have looked at, and I agree they are all very good websites. So you can't tell me I don't use this website and all it's facilities and links. Can I just make it clear that I'm not saying that people who don't know a thing about lighting should look to this website as a means to learn from scratch. And it's not myself that I am referring to. I also, like yourself, understand the concepts behind lighting design, but for those who are 'half-way-there' and need some further explanation and understanding on these theories and practices might be seeking it in the simplest form. I know that as I was "growing up" and trying to learn as much as I could, it certainly did not help to have something explained in the most complex manner possible without it being reiterated in a plain english. Im not complaining about this site, and I would be interested to see where (in my previous posts) you have made that conclusion. There is no need to be so defensive about your website, it is a good base for people to get information, network and keep up to date on Australia's theatre scene. There are many different types of people. As an example, there are those who lead, those who follow and those who are in between pushing the leaders and pulling the followers. You and Don are people who lead, there are plenty of people on the site who are followers, but I would consider myself and in-betweener, simply because I can't find the time and don't have the capacity to write my own FAQ/Glossary page but I do encourage those with the capacity and leadership to do so! And if you think there is something wrong with that then fine, continue to push and shut out people who are just trying to give constructive critism and help, get back on you high-horse and continue on your merry way. And if you have never heard of people high-horsing themselves in terms of theatre production, then unblock your ears and have a look at yourself and the industry that you are in.

The only thing I care to reply to: perhaps I was being defensive on behalf of the people who take the time to reply, with intelligent, informative responses. Again, if you had a question, or would have liked a simpler explanation provided, there are more polite ways of doing so. As for the rest... I'm no longer interested. Please, those techie regulars, keep posting informative stuff. It's nice to read something intellectual here, rather than the usual bitchfest. Jellyfish shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

If you are still looking there are other options around such as: Lycian www.lycian.com ..the website is basic but the information in the specifications is good and realistic. Well built followpots..not the cheapest in the world but as they say, you get what you pay for. There are also a few options from Altman www.altmanltg.com Popular as a cheaper option in the States. Another one in the cheaper end which performs well for the price is LDR...these are popular in Europe...might be worth a looksy... If you need any further info pop me an email.

Given that the US lamps are 120v, they are very pricey because of the weak AU dollar, and you could expect to add another $1000 for freight charges taxes etc and you have effectively no guarantee on them, it is not the best option at this time.Unless you're feeling lucky, especially as it was stated that "Obviously budget is the underlying factor........".