Follow spot queries

[Radders]

Hello,

 

I am a new member and responsible for stage lighting at our school in Crewe. We have a fairly good lighting system for a school which does not have its own purpose built theatre etc. but have had problems with follow spots.

 

We always used to hire these in for productions but last year bought 2 HMI575 follow spots as we felt these were within our price range and looked reasonable. However, we've had a lot of problems with 'flickering' lights. This is noticeable to the audience and doesn't look very good. Sometimes it starts up quite quickly after switching them on, other times it doesn't start flickering until halfway through a production. It's very hit and miss and sometimes just stops flickering for no apparent reason, sometimes starting up again later. Any ideas? It happens with both lights. We have tried changing bulbs (which aren't cheap!) but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

 

If we decide to invest in some slightly higher quality follow spots, can someone please give me some suggestions? The distance from the back of our school hall to the back of our stage is about 30m.

 

Thanks :D

[Stu]

Hmmmm sounds to me like you might have dodgy ballasts, as the new lamps are displaying the same problem. Which followspots are they, as you haven't mentioned which type they are.

 

If you did decide to get new spots, then I personally recommend looking into the Robert Juilat range.

 

HTH

Stu

[Nicktaylor]

Last year suggests they might still be under guarantee, so I would talk to the supplier first

[V*L Ben]

*cough* Foxie *cough*

 

They are really nice :D

[ptheboris]

Agree. The foxie is good. Just wish they would put the dimmer handle in a different place. Halfway down the lantern is not the easiest - the scar on my arm still testifies to this.

 

Other than that the buxie might be an alternative. These though are not as bright as the foxie but think they might be slightly cheaper.

 

Paul

[Diane]

Yep we have Foxies at the Palace.... 2 now. Phased in so used one old (can't remember make) and one Foxie - MASSIVE diff. in beam... so relief all round when 2nd Foxie purchased.... but correct about the handle.... bloody awkward...and hot.....

 

Di

[Barney]

I agree, the Foxies are very nice and good value for money - we have sold quite a few units. Unfortunately the Foxie is being discontinued by Robert Juliat.

 

I would suggest you look at the Buxie (575W hot restrike, similar beam angle and throw to the Foxie) or the Manon (1200W cold restrike).

[vinny baby]

what do you think about DMX followspots, we have had a few Clay Paky 1200w spots, that have an on board DMX pannel, so you can dim, change the colour temp, colour, iris, strobe ect.

 

I find them very good, and are very handy if your using a load of them cos you can sync them with a larger laighting console, and program like any other intelligent fixture.

 

the spot im using at the minute is a Pani.

 

 

vince

[paulears]

I've just ordered two Pearl River followspots that are clones of the clay pakys. On a boat somewhere.

 

The original post was about flickering - if they flicker then they're duff - mind you I've a mate who swears he can see all discharge lamps flickering - I guess that's just his susceptability to strobing.

[Radders]

Thanks for your reply.

 

The make is Moonlight 575.

 

Anyone had experience of them?