Spotlight operator

The Spotlight Operator , Followspot Operator or a Spot Op is a theatrical technician or more defined as Lighting technician who operates specialized stage lighting instruments known as followspots designed to move, change size, beam, and color easily by hand. Followspotting is often seen as the apprentice role for new technicians, and having the role is referred to by some as being "a limie", a term derived from limelight. Being on a spot light is one the first positions people can get for a show call. Often the crew is cut (unemployed or nonpayed) after load in until the load out time. Senior workers will have first choice on working during the show in the available positions.

Duties of a spotlight operator

A spotlight operator is expected to be familiar with the Followspot he or she is working with, and should be able to read through a cue sheet and/or follow directions from the lighting designer, master electrician, light board operator,Stage manager Assistant stage manager and/or the Touring Front of House Electrician (theater) . Spotlight operator positions are usually filled with stagehands or Electrician (theater) from the load in. In this case the spotlight operator may have an understanding of theater lighting principles and the technical aspects of lighting. In the case of smaller shows, the light board operator may also have to operate the Followspot. When used in a Concert, Followspot operators are often referred to as being hired from the neck down. Despite the operators opinion of what they may think looks good, they are to follow Cues as they are told. On most touring shows the spot op's will have no rehearsal and only a brief meeting discussing their call numbers, home positions and what they should do in default judgements.

Follow Spot controls

*Choppers- Cuts or shutters the top and bottom part of the beam off
*Douser- Controls brightness
*Iris- Controls beam size
*Trombone- Controls focal length
*Color Frames- Changes the color of the light. May also known as a boomerang and/or Color magazine which contain the Color gel are counted from the rear of the follow spot forward. There are two types of changes. Bumps, which are sudden and rolls which happen at a slower predetermined count.

Behavior and Duties

*Operators should keep chatter to a minimum on headset. Usual call times are 30 minutes before start of show. It is customary to be in position 15 minutes prior to show start and waiting on headset if available.. This allows time to check the lamp and have the color temperature and brightness warmed up. trussspots will go up 5-10 minutes before they are needed either at preshow or at Intermission. Often Trussspots are only used for the headliner. Due to time restraints and hassles once up in the air truss spots don't come down or take breaks until the end of show. Truss spots may either have to climb a wire rope ladder or the entire truss will be raised and lowered.

*On larger follow spots there is a 10-15 minute cool down period before shutting off the fans and covering. The re-lamping require specialized training since they can explode if improperly connected to electrical current or if finger prints and/or oils are left on the glass envelope.

*In theater it is customary to have a Spotting scope to help with low light level and rapid tight pick ups. In place of a scope operators may align light leaks from the follow spot to marks on a board

*Cues may be given with a Warning, a Standby and then a GO. You may not receive all three. In a series of rapid cues you may get warnings for several actions and then go's with no refresher of information. You may be called to fade out on a cue or on a visual like an exit. There may be multiple spots with different pick up positions, fade times and color frame assignments. It is very common to have 10+ spots on a Concert in Front of House and over stage, a Circus may have 6-8 where as Theater may only have 1-3 in a Front of House position. Concerts with 20+ spots are not unheard of. In the higher number shows, spots will share their spot call number with another spot working in unison. The combine positions may be mirrored like a house right and house left spot or a FOH and Trussspot.

An example cue would beSpot 1 you are standing by in Frame 1 to pick up the man entering from down left. Full body shot. He will be wearing a red and black outfit. You will fade up on him on a 5 count. Spot 1 in Frame 1 standing by on the red and black man entering down left full body on a 5 count. Spot 1 Frame 1 GO!

afety

*There is usually a designated area in the catwalks , control room, towers and/or truss (known as a trussspot) where one or more spotlight operators work. When working at height, spotlight operators should wear a harness for fall arrest. Operators may wish to wear gloves to protect themselves from burns because of the follow spot's temperature. Truss spot operators may need to wear additional safety equipment of goggles and a flame proof jumpsuit to be protected from pyrotechnics. Due to the increased risks Trusspots often receive an increase in pay rates. Followspots output a high ultraviolet light source and may cause damage similar to sunburns and sun exposure. Due to hazardous sound Decibel levels, spot ops may need to wear ear plugs or ear muffs to prevent Noise-induced hearing loss. The wearing of protection reduces the overall level of assault on hearing. This does not interfere with the ability to hear cues since the headset volume must be set to a level higher the ambient noise level.

ee also

* Stage lighting
* Stage lighting instrument
* Light board operator