lantern used to highlight and pickout performers on stage. An operator moves the whole body of the lantern to direct the beam and follow performers as required. Beam size is varied by mea ns of an iris, with most units having built-in gel mag s. Some low-end followspots are directly derived from profile spots, whilst professional units are ofte n designed from scratch. Larger units use discharge lamp s for a brighter beam. Due to the long throw distances over which the larger units are used, their beam angle s are often very small. Perhaps the most famous followspot is the Strong International Super Trouper.

A manually operated lighting fixture specially designed for following performers as they move about the stage. Most followspots employ some method for manual control of iris, shutter, dowser, as well as a color boomerang. See Also: Color Boomerang

A followspot, sometimes known as a spotlight, is a powerful stage light which can be controlled by a human spotlight operator to "follow" actors around the stage. Followspots are commonly used in concerts, musical theatre and opera to highlight the stars of a performance, but might find use in a drama to briefly focus the audience's attention on a hand-motion or a prop (such as in a murder mystery or thriller). They are also used in sports venues, as well as many other applications.