Hi all!!
I'm kinda new to all this so somethings I say may make you more experienced folks smile!!
I'm doing a university report on the advantages and disadvantages of using automated lighting, whether it is a better option then the traditional generic lighting options or whether old is best.
I'm looking for some personal views of those of you that may use both or prefer your old trusty parcans or the latest up to date mac.
All comments would really be appreciated.
Thanks
Full Version: Automated Lighting
It would depend entirely on the application and effect that was required.
Both generic and intelligent lighting have their uses, sometimes as door stops.
Both generic and intelligent lighting have their uses, sometimes as door stops.
Which is better, an apple or an orange?
KC
KC
Look at these
Automated Lighting in Theatre
Future of Moving Lights
These are just 2 I found when searching the Blue Room
Automated Lighting in Theatre
Future of Moving Lights
These are just 2 I found when searching the Blue Room
Hi "dimblonde", welcome to the forums.
The following is taken from the FAQ in the training section:
So perhaps if you were to do some groundwork and let us know your basic thoughts, you might get some practical comments and constructive criticism.
... and remember - there's a strong possibility that your tutors/lecturers/teachers read this forum...
The following is taken from the FAQ in the training section:
QUOTE
Will you do my homework for me?
No. But if you are looking for a range of industry/user opinions then we may be happy to help.
We will require you, however, to show that you have thought about the question first. This can be done, for example, in one of three ways:
1) "This is the question and these are the views of people whose books/articles I've read. What do you think?"
2) "This is the question and these are my thoughts. What do you think?"
3) "I've set up a questionaire and wondered if you would mind completing it. Here's the link."
No. But if you are looking for a range of industry/user opinions then we may be happy to help.
We will require you, however, to show that you have thought about the question first. This can be done, for example, in one of three ways:
1) "This is the question and these are the views of people whose books/articles I've read. What do you think?"
2) "This is the question and these are my thoughts. What do you think?"
3) "I've set up a questionaire and wondered if you would mind completing it. Here's the link."
So perhaps if you were to do some groundwork and let us know your basic thoughts, you might get some practical comments and constructive criticism.
... and remember - there's a strong possibility that your tutors/lecturers/teachers read this forum...
2 MAC 2000 washes side by side - lay a slice of bread on the first MAC - let it toast then flip it onto the other MAC to do the remaining side!! 
On a more relevent note, if the budget is there , I do think movers make much more sense for touring. A faster rig, less working at height, easy and quick modifications to the stage dimensions, each fixture can be changed to do something else without having to get ladders out , new gel , refocus etc etc
And of course, as Gareth mentioned - for companies / venues in rep- moving lights make for a much faster turnaround. Sometimes fan noise can be an issue, again , depends on the application and what the fixtures are.
On a more relevent note, if the budget is there , I do think movers make much more sense for touring. A faster rig, less working at height, easy and quick modifications to the stage dimensions, each fixture can be changed to do something else without having to get ladders out , new gel , refocus etc etc
And of course, as Gareth mentioned - for companies / venues in rep- moving lights make for a much faster turnaround. Sometimes fan noise can be an issue, again , depends on the application and what the fixtures are.
I'd also point out issues regarding maintenance for intelligent lighting. If not maintained properly (as we found out from our last batch of hired-in fixtures) they can be a nightmare!
Another issue we found - if you get a power blip, your movers won't re-strike until they have cooled properly. If your show is programmed using muvers for profiles, washes and the like, you can't go on until all of them (28 in our rig) are happy.
The noiseboys will hate you because of the fan noise!
Another issue we found - if you get a power blip, your movers won't re-strike until they have cooled properly. If your show is programmed using muvers for profiles, washes and the like, you can't go on until all of them (28 in our rig) are happy.
The noiseboys will hate you because of the fan noise!
QUOTE (dimblonde @ 29 Jul 2008, 2:51 AM) 
whether it is a better option then the traditional generic lighting options or whether old is best.
Yes.
QUOTE
automated lighting
A great energy saver in offices and toilets,
As others have said, they both have their uses and I couldn't say I outright prefered one over the other. Generics don't need to wait ages to restrike, there's not much to go wrong apart from the lamp blowing, they're simple to use, silent, easier to maintain and easier to program. If weight's a consideration, then they're generally lighter as well, and of course generally cheaper.
But intelligents don't require focusing / positioning at height, everything is done from the desk, you don't need to worry about gels, in the case of CMY or similar colour mixing you can get very smooth colour changes when you need them, and they're generally just fun and brilliantly effective for creating random lighting shows when that need / desire arises! As well as the obvious that they can... move. And with a graphics tablet or similar they can turn into a followspot.
Personally, I like to have at least a basic rig of generics in case of power blips or desk failure (intelligents can't be reprogrammed in an instant at all obviously) so if the worst comes to the worst, I've got something that looks at decent without intelligents whizzing around all over the place.
That's an expensive toaster. I've never had to go further than a parcan...!
And of course, either can be used for door stops.
But intelligents don't require focusing / positioning at height, everything is done from the desk, you don't need to worry about gels, in the case of CMY or similar colour mixing you can get very smooth colour changes when you need them, and they're generally just fun and brilliantly effective for creating random lighting shows when that need / desire arises! As well as the obvious that they can... move. And with a graphics tablet or similar they can turn into a followspot.
Personally, I like to have at least a basic rig of generics in case of power blips or desk failure (intelligents can't be reprogrammed in an instant at all obviously) so if the worst comes to the worst, I've got something that looks at decent without intelligents whizzing around all over the place.
QUOTE
2 MAC 2000 washes side by side - lay a slice of bread on the first MAC - let it toast then flip it onto the other MAC to do the remaining side!!
That's an expensive toaster. I've never had to go further than a parcan...!
And of course, either can be used for door stops.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.