IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PRG
Opposite: PRG proudly announced the release of the new GroundControl Followspot System. Below: Rich Gorrod, Head of Events Services for PRG XL Video, with the modified PRG Bad Boy during the demo day at the O2 Arena in London; Chris Conti, Product Manager explained that the GroundControl had been in the works for some time; The GroundControl System’s controller has been designed to function in a similar way to a regular followspot and can control the fixture from 2,000ft away.
follow a performer on stage.” As well as the fixture mirroring the movement in the interface, the controller also has intuitive controls for intensity, iris, zoom, frost and edge as well as buttons that can be used for colour and beam presence. The controller also has an on-board touchscreen for easy addressing, configuring and diagnostics. The whole controller sits on a tripod that can be located up to 2,000ft (610 metres) away from the fixture itself (a PRG Bad Boy). The screen on the controller also streams content from the HD camera attached to PRG’s Bad Boy that outputs HD-SDI at 1080p, enabling the ground spot operators to see the stage as if they were right by the fixture. The on-board display also comes complete with a targeting reticle for greater accuracy as well as night vision mode
that enables operators to pick out performers on a virtually black stage. The GroundControl is compatible with all lighting consoles so as much or as little control can be put in the hands of the LD.
is comparable in output to many traditional followspots that are currently available. Secondly, the front aperture on the fixture is also equivalent in size to existing followspots so it has a similar look in the rig, and thirdly, the
“It was something we had on our minds for several years but the technology either wasn’t where we needed it to be or the costs were not realistic. Then, early last year all the planets finally aligned...” Product Manager, Chris Conti
According the Conti, the reason for using the PRG Bad Boy as the first compatible fixture came down to three reasons: “Firstly, the fixture
feature set: CMY, colour wheels, big zoom and smooth dimming is initially well suited for use as a followspot.” 119