RSC’s Lightlock – Stop Moving Lights from Moving Everything Else

Have you seen this device or heard anything about it?  You’re looking at the RSC Lightlock – a device that uses physics to stop moving lights from wiggling the heck out of whatever they’re attached to – truss, battens, etc.  The Lightlock was developed with the intent of slowing the swing of trapeze-style hangers, and boy does it work – check out this test video of the Lightlock in action, and then it gets powered off.  Watch the difference:

Amazing.  From the RSC Lightlock website:

The main benefits of RSC Lightlock, the RSC’s lighting invention, are:

Creativity
The device enables the creative benefits of moving lights to be used in a broader variety of theatre, TV and film situations as it removes the need for heavy duty mounting infrastructure.

Flexibility
Use of lightweight rigging means that the moving light can be situated virtually anywhere and the halting of movement ensures that there are no ‘out of action’ moving lights.

Quiet Operation
The RSC Lightlock emits low noise levels, which allows its use during live performances.

Health and Safety
The RSC Lightlock reduces the need for bridges or trusses and therefore reduces the need for working at height when maintaining or adjusting a light.

Cost efficiency
Moving lights can be maintained at ground level by lowering the rig to where staff can safely maintain or adjust them. Avoiding working at height results in significant time savings for the entertainment industry.

Environmental
A lighting designer can choose to create the same design with a smaller rig, resulting in a cost saving and environmental benefit.

There’s a decent FAQ on the Lightlock website – I recommend checking it out if you want more information about the device. iSquint tells that Total Structures/Total Solutions will be manufacturing the device, which won a PLASA 2008 Award for Innovation. It’s not surprising that it was recognized for innovating – that thing is amazing.

As a special treat, here’s Patrick Stewart to present the Lightlock:

Thanks Erich and iSquint!