What is a Followspot?

A followspot (also written follow spot) is a powerful spotlight aimed by hand by an operator to follow a performer around the stage, keeping them lit wherever they move during the show. Followspots are used at concerts, theatre shows, awards and corporate events.

How followspots work

A followspot is run by a dedicated operator:

  1. Position: the operator works from a platform at the back of the venue, a front of house tower or a seat in the roof rigging.
  2. Cues: the lighting designer or a spot caller gives cues over a headset, such as "spot 1, pick up the singer, stage left".
  3. Control: the operator adjusts the beam size, focus, brightness and colour, and fades in and out on cue.
  4. Tracking: they keep the beam on the performer as they move, matching the look of the rest of the lighting.

Followspot operators are often booked as part of the show crew. Venues booking them across many events often schedule show crew shifts in Crescat.

Followspot vs moving light

A followspot is aimed by a person in real time. A moving light is aimed by the lighting desk using pre-programmed positions. Remote followspot systems now let operators control moving lights from a console on the ground, so nobody has to sit at height.

What a followspot operator needs

  • A safe operating position, with harness and fall protection if working at height
  • A comms headset to hear cues
  • A cue sheet or notes on who to pick up and when
  • The colour and beam size for each cue
  • Time at rehearsal to learn the performers' movements

Frequently asked questions

How many followspots are used at a concert?

Club shows rarely use any. Theatre and arena shows often use two to four, and large stadium shows can use more, sometimes with remote systems on every key performer.

What is a pick-up in followspot terms?

A pick-up is the moment the operator brings the followspot onto a performer. A good pick-up is accurate from the start, without the beam searching across the stage.

What is a remote followspot system?

A remote followspot system lets an operator steer a moving light from a ground-level console with a camera view of the stage. It removes the need to work at height and can control lights in positions a person couldn't reach.

Related terms