Light Positioning

[Jambo_UK]

Just had a Thought, could I use a laser pen to help me work out the direction of a stage light for example it I put the laser pen to the sides of the barn doors or the edge of the filter, it could tell me where the light will be projected in theory, (light travels in straight lines!)

 

Do you think this will work because it has too be safer than switching the light on then re-positioning them?

 

Also how do you position your lights if you have to change there position?

 

from

 

Jambo

[gareth]

Just had a Thought, could I use a laser pen to help me work out the direction of a stage light for example it I put the laser pen to the sides of the barn doors or the edge of the filter, it could tell me where the light will be projected in theory, (light travels in straight lines!)

 

Do you think this will work because it has too be safer than switching the light on then re-positioning them?

Errr ... why?! Stage lanterns are designed to be manipulated while powered-up - that's the only way to focus them accurately.

 

Also how do you position your lights if you have to change there position?

 

By "change their position", do you mean re-focussing, or physically moving the lantern from one location to another?

[Jambo_UK]

QUOTE 

Also how do you position your lights if you have to change there position?

 

 

 

By "change their position", do you mean re-focussing, or physically moving the lantern from one location to another?

 

physically put up or down new lights and re-position when so the beam hits the stage and not the ceiling, :( ** laughs out loud **.

 

As for the first question, I will have too power them up to focus correctly.

 

Thanks for the help Gareth

 

from

 

Jambo

[gareth]

By "change their position", do you mean re-focussing, or physically moving the lantern from one location to another?

 

physically put up or down new lights and re-position when so the beam hits the stage and not the ceiling

As with many things, it depends on the venue. For rigging lanterns, you might do it from a lighting bridge or walkway next to the bar in question, you might do it by dropping the bar or truss to floor level for rigging, you might lean over the edge of the circle or balcony if the lantern's ina circle-front type of position, or you might do it from the top of a ladder, tower, tallescope, Genie, or some other means or aerial access. WIth the exception of flying the ba/truss in, the above options also apply to focussing.

[smeggie]

hi

 

I have used a laser pointer before when designing a rig. it sometimes helps me imagine the reach of the beam from a particular position.

 

other than that, the only useful[accurate] way of focusing with barndoors is with the lantern powered up.

 

cheers

andrew

[P. Funk]

don't some of the high end scanners have a laser in them for positioning? or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

 

 

I definately think it would be useful in followspotting (they amy already be in use - I've only ever used panis and foxies), but youc an only really tell where you want a lantern with it powered up. remember you need to focus it as well as position it.

[Stu]

Laser sights can be used on any followspot really, it's just all about aligning the centre of the laser sight to the centre of the beam.

 

Obviously then you can track to the right place, and fade up nicely in the right place. Lovely. Advanced activities include remembering where the Iris needs to be for head shot, half body, full body etc etc

 

Stu

[P. Funk]

Advanced activities include remembering where the Iris needs to be for head shot, half body, full body etc etc

 

nothing a few strategically placed bits of coloured LX tape can't solve :(

[gareth]

don't some of the high end scanners have a laser in them for positioning? or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

 

 

I definately think it would be useful in followspotting (they amy already be in use - I've only ever used panis and foxies), but youc an only really tell where you want a lantern with it powered up. remember you need to focus it as well as position it.

A laser pointer as a follow-spot sight? Ugh! Imagine how horrible it would look in a total blackout if there were a couple of very obvious bright red dots whizzing around the stage as the follow-spot ops lined up their next pickup ....

 

If your spot doesn't have in-built sights, it's very easy to make some out of stiff wire (e.g. wire coat hangers) - you need to make a small 'ring on a stick' type of thing for the front and rear of the spot, ideally with a small cross-hair in each. Stick one just in front of where your face is, and one right at the front of the lenstube. Adjust them so that when you look through them both in line you're looking at where the centre of the beam hits the stage. Then all you need to do for accurate pickups is get your eye lined up with the two sights and line the spot up to your target. It's a tried and tested method, and it works a treat.

 

Alternatively, get yourself a Spot Dot! When I worked at a large opera house a few years ago, one of the electricians went to the local "huntin' shootin' and fishin'" shop and bought four rifle sights which worked on very much the same principle as this product. We then butchered them slightly so that they ran off a small PSU and were fixed to the sides of our four RJ Aramis spots. Lining them up was a breeze, and they made pickups an absolute doddle.

 

Oh, and yes - you've got the wrong end of the stick. :(

[Stu]

This is true. Whenever I followspot (which as anyone who knows me well will know it's very rare) I end up just remembering, as for some quick changes it's a hell of alot quicker!

 

PS. When I said Laser Sights earlier, I don't mean they project a dot of laser onto the stage. However fun that'd be... :(

 

Stu

[Bryson]

Away from the followspot issue again, for a moment.

 

There is a scanner from High End with a laser built-in for "aiming" (the Technobeam). I think it was aimed at people who do outdoors gigs where you have to plot during the day and you can't see what you're aiming at. Don't know how useful it is though. It hasn't popped up on any of their other products, so my guess is "not very."

 

For positioning conventionals, I'm not sure it's useful - as you have to turn it on to focus anyway, I'm sure you can make an educated guess as to the best position - you should be able to just look and see if it's going to hit the spot you want.

 

What laser pointer can be useful for is what it's designed for: For example: "Can you change the burnt-out gel in that light?" Quicker and easier than: "Can you change the burnt out gel in that light? No, the one next to that one. No, the other side."

[SceneMaster]

I thought of using a laser pen taped to a follow spot so in scene changes my operators can line of there spot to the right position. :(. I know this is off topic but what the warn 0% mean of the side of my posts.

[James C]

What laser pointer can be useful for is what it's designed for:  For example: "Can you change the burnt-out gel in that light?"  Quicker and easier than: "Can you change the burnt out gel in that light?  No, the one next to that one.  No, the other side."

Hmm...Controversial...Using a "Laser Pointer" to "Point" at things with a "Laser"..It's a long shot, but it might just work... :(

 

Scenemaster, there's a thread in the issues forum explaining warn-files HERE

[tjkerr]

I thought of using a laser pen taped to a follow spot so in scene changes my operators can line of there spot to the right position. :(.

If you are goin to employ follow spot operators they should be good enough to do a pick up without a "laserpointer" (as I wouldn't like to see a red dot cross the stage and this goes the same for goasting)A good follow spot operator wouldn't want to use a laserpointer or goast because it would make them look cr#p!!!!

[Djbarryblue]

I thought of using a laser pen taped to a follow spot so in scene changes my operators can line of there spot to the right position. :(.

If you are goin to employ follow spot operators they should be good enough to do a pick up without a "laserpointer" (as I wouldn't like to see a red dot cross the stage and this goes the same for goasting)A good follow spot operator wouldn't want to use a laserpointer or goast because it would make them look cr#p!!!!

If I enploye spot ops I expect them to be good and not need to use this and would have to agree!!!!!