This course, presented for the first time in South Africa, aimed not only to professionally train follow spotters, but also to raise the standard and enable follow spotting to become a full-time job.
"Good follow spotting is never noticed, but bad follow spotting can ruin a show," said Gerda Kruger, one of South Africa's most prolific lighting designers. "A good follow spotter should be acknowledged, be paid their worth and be an integral part of the show's lighting as the designer and board operator."
The first full-day course was attended by eight technicians from three companies, PanTilt, MGG Productions and Blackmotion Production.The morning was devoted to theory, covering the importance of follow spotting, the components and communications amongst others. The afternoon session was practical with the students making their own sights out of matches and masking tape and then practising pick-ups with Kruger calling cues.
The next course is scheduled for 9 July, also at DWR Distribution. Kruger is prepared to present the course at the premises of rental companies or theatres, should there be enough attendees. A course is also scheduled to be hosted at the Playhouse Company in July.
(Jim Evans)
