Movement devices
There are a few accessories that allow the designer to add the element of movement to lighting instruments. The most common of these is the gobo rotator, though there are a couple of other nifty gadgets that can help to provide movement to your design.
gobo rotator
The gobo rotator is a device that is inserted into the 'oversized gobo slot' on modern lighting instruments. It is a mechanical device which allows one or two gobos to be installed, and then spun in opposite directions in order to create dynamic effects.
Several manufacturers sell a gobo rotation device, and each has slightly different capabilities. The motor GAM Twinspin (pictured) simply plugs into a dimmer (though this will eventually burn out the power supply adapter and you'll have to replace it), and the two gobos spin at an equal speed. Other devices are DMX controllable, which will allow the designer to control very specifically the speed and positioning of each of the gobos. It is important to know that these DMX controllable devices typically require the use of an external power supply in order to interface with the lighting console. As seen in the video, the sharpness of the gobos can be adjusted to make a very soft and therefore more abstract pattern, or very sharp and specific image. The gobo rotator is a great device to use whenever the designer wishes to present rippling water, fire or other such effects. GAM has a cool app on the website that allows the designer to choose two gobos and get an idea of what they do when placed into the TwinSpin. Link to GAM Twinspin Link to Apollo Smartmove |
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Film Loop
Similar to the gobo rotator is a device called a GAMFilm FX, also manufactured by GAM. Instead of a rotation, this device creates a linear scrolling effect, and has several different patterns that can be installed.
This device is good for fire and water as well, and also can be used very effectively on the cyc to present clouds that move. One important thing to remember is that there are always two images moving against one another in opposite directions. The focus of the edge becomes very important, as one can be in sharp focus while the other side is very fuzzy, or the designer can leave both images in partial focus for a dynamic, but abstract effect. |
old fashioned movement effects
All these cool electronically controlled movement effects are neat, but lighting designers have been making light move for a long time, and there are a few relatively low tech solutions that should be mentioned.
The Lobsterscope is a device which rotates a disc in front of the lens of an instrument in order to create a flicker effect (if moved quickly) or a wavy effect if rotated slowly. The picture to the right is a common design, but I have also seen fan-like blades attached to a motor to create other types of effects. This can be used also for fire and water, but also for the flicker of a silent film, or other such effects.
Another neat movement effect can be created by pointing a lighting device into a pan of water with a mirror on the bottom. Have a stagehand slowly move the water around, and the reflected light creates an effect that I've never seen recreated by an electronic device.
The Lobsterscope is a device which rotates a disc in front of the lens of an instrument in order to create a flicker effect (if moved quickly) or a wavy effect if rotated slowly. The picture to the right is a common design, but I have also seen fan-like blades attached to a motor to create other types of effects. This can be used also for fire and water, but also for the flicker of a silent film, or other such effects.
Another neat movement effect can be created by pointing a lighting device into a pan of water with a mirror on the bottom. Have a stagehand slowly move the water around, and the reflected light creates an effect that I've never seen recreated by an electronic device.