DPW SpotCue (Viewer & Host) is a digital, paperless, quick-reference system that displays past, current, and upcoming followspot cues to operators on any device: iPads, laptops, or desktop PCs.
Overview
DPW SpotCue has been designed for theatrical-style shows, musicals and other events where the ETC EOS lighting ecosystem is used.
In live shows, I know that reliability is paramount; this is why the whole system runs locally, hosted internally via the Host device.
Taking inspiration from existing applications such as CuePilot and LiveEdit, both used in the live TV production space to provide a user-friendly shot and information interface for camera operators working on fast-paced, tightly rehearsed productions such as Eurovision. Incorporating this into the theatre industry, where manual followspots and RoboSpots are used widely, makes incredible sense to improve reliability, accuracy and maintainability for followspot operators; it is common for operators to change frequently during the run of a longer show, and therefore this can also improve the handover process.
More Detail
The DPW SpotCue ecosystem is made up of two main parts, detailed as follows:
This application incorporates two parts: a “Host” server-like application to be run on a Windows machine. This connects to the ETC EOS lighting control software and acts as the “translator” between an ETC EOS OSC socket.
The other part is the “Viewer” application, which is designed to be run on either a venue-owned device or the followspot operator’s own. This runs as a locally hosted web app (also from the Host), due to this, both the viewer devices and the host application must be run on the same network, ideally a dedicated technical network, without external internet access, as is always recommended for technical application use. Once started, just select your followspot, customise your settings and watch the information arrive in front of you. You then have the ability to build your own cue list, or access the premade data if this has already been done for you (for example by a lighting designer/programmer!)
For this reason, an admin option is also available in the Viewer interface. When you select which followspot you are operating, the Admin option is able to be selected. This displays all currently created cues for all followspots, with the ability to easily create, edit or delete cues from any followspot position.
One technicality is that all followspot cues must have a corresponding designated lighting cue, whether that be a whole number or point cue, for it to display seamlessly at an accurate time on the Viewer devices, however if for any reason this is not possible, a workaround is to utilise the notes field and make a note of the cue line or any kind of helpful pointer as to suggest to the operators when the followspot cue should happen, or if it’s to be cued by the DSM.
An important note, the device that the Host application is running on should have a fixed IP address set, this means that there is little risk of Viewer devices being disconnected due to DHCP or a forced IP address change; as the system is designed to work on small-scale tech networks, only IPv4 is available at this time.
Many options can be customised to suit both the production and the individual operators; options include flashes on Viewer devices when a cue change occurs, or indicate clearly via a selectable background-colour change when a followspot is due to be active in the next 2 cues.
Pricing
This system has been designed to work in venues and locations of all sizes, from small theatres to larger capacity venues. Due to this versatility, it felt unfair to charge the same rate for all. The price for this service is dependent on typical venue capacity for the shows you are using this service on.
All prices are listed inclusive of VAT (I am not VAT registered) and include 1 perpetual license which must be validated on first launch of the host device (the only time it is required to be connected to the internet). This perpetual license can be transferred to a new computer if required to change the device on which the host is operating.
These perpetual licenses can be purchased via my shop (link in the next section below).
| Tier | Community | Standard | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Non-profit, community or school venues with a capacity of up to 200 persons. | Larger or commercial venues up to an unlimited capacity. | Any additional requirements or custom needs/solutions. |
| Restrictions | Up to 2 followspots in use simultaneously | Up to 2 followspots in use simultaneously | |
| One-time Price | £99.99 | £299.99 | Contact me |
| Purchase | Purchase |
All licensing tiers include the following extras:
- Ongoing support via email
- Updates until the next major version release
- Setup guides and help, best practice advice and more…
Sign up / Purchase now
DPW SpotCue will be available shortly! It is not quite ready yet; first there will be a trial period whilst issues and bugs are solved before the full public release. Please get in touch if you would like to be one of the first to test this!
FAQ
Content will be added to this section as questions arise from client use. If you feel any particular information would be particularly useful to be made readily available, contact me, and I will get it added to this section as soon as possible.
Additional Questions
If you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to email me. I endeavour to respond within 48 hours to any enquiry. This system has been designed, programmed and created fully by myself, so it is able to be flexible around your particular requirements.
If you believe that your theatre, venue or company could benefit from DPW Spot Cue, but something in the standard setup/configuration doesn’t quite fit, still feel free to get in touch via email or via the form below, and we can arrange to meet in person, via email or a call to discuss custom turnkey solutions to meet your requirements.
