So recently I have decided that I would join a group known as EW.
Now, EW means Electronic Workshop. And this effectively makes up the ultimate tech nerds of the school, who know how to operate all the crazy lighting and sound equipment. Now, that said, I only know how to operate one of them... And that would be the follow spot, which is surprisingly difficult to use well.
The simple facts are that you have two knobs both of which must be loosened before use. This makes it very easy to move, and hence it will not stick at all... Now, this makes it beautifully smooth when following a person, but very very difficult to stop from shaking when at a still...
The slightly more complicated stuff goes a bit like this. On top of the light you have two sticks, one to adjust the size of the iris, and then other to control the brightness. Now when following someone you aim to have the spot at the base of their feet, and then encapsulating the body and costume. If they move around the stage - front to back - then you have to move the spot with them and seamlessly shrink the spot size to make it look the same the whole way. Not easy. You then have to judge the lighting against the background and also turn up the spot as you get into a more intensely lit area of the stage.
Now, there are two other sliders for size and focus, but those are far too complicated to explain, unless you have a basic knowledge of 3 dimensional light intensity.
Anyway, I have been doing this since Saturday, and have hopefully, mastered the art. However I have to perform for a full production on Wednesday and Thursday this week, and I'm actually rather worried about it...
SOMEONE PLEASE GET ME A QUE SCRIPT!!!!
Panic
To sum up the show incase you don't know it....