Rent moving heads

What moving heads are and the atmosphere they create

Moving heads are lighting fixtures that fully move and are programmable. Where a fixed spot or uplighter keeps shining on one spot, a moving head can pan and tilt, switch colour in a fraction of a second, make the beam wider or narrower and project crisp shapes. That makes them the most dynamic tool in the lighting kit: they literally bring movement to a room and set the rhythm and energy of a show.

The atmosphere you create with them is exciting, energetic and grand. A row of beams sweeping through the air in sync, colours changing on the beat and shafts of light opening up at the climax of a track give an evening the intensity of a real performance. At the same time, you can use moving heads subtly too: a slow movement in a warm colour during a speech, or a gentle projection on a wall during the welcome drinks. The difference with fixed lighting solutions lies in that versatility: the same fixtures deliver both understated ambience and an exuberant show, depending on how you programme them.

Beam, spot, wash and gobo

Moving heads come in various types and effects, and knowing them determines the atmosphere you get. A spot gives a sharp, focused beam for projecting logos, patterns or shapes via a gobo, a small template inside the fixture. A beam gives a narrow, tight shaft of light that looks stunning as it travels through the air, especially with a little smoke or haze. A wash gives a broad, soft field of colour that fills a stage or backdrop. In many shows we combine these types, so we can deploy both sharp effects and flat colour at the same time.

Gobo projections deserve special attention here. With a gobo you transform a bare ceiling, a wall or the dance floor into a moving pattern of stars, diamonds or shapes, or project a logo or theme. Because the fixture moves and the gobo can rotate, the image stays alive rather than static.

When to use moving heads

Moving heads belong anywhere you want energy, spectacle or a genuine show experience. They are not needed for every moment, but at the right moments they make the difference between a tidy evening and one people remember.

At a party or corporate event they are almost indispensable the moment the dance floor opens. Moving beams and colours reacting to the music deliver the party feeling guests expect from a real show. At a business event we often use moving heads for an impressive opening, a kick-off or a product reveal: at just the right moment the beams open up and all attention is drawn to the stage.

They also have their place at a wedding, but used sparingly. During dinner they stay calm or off, and once the party begins they mark the shift to an exuberant evening. For presentations and conferences we use them more restrainedly: for a powerful opening or a moment that really needs to stand out, while the lighting stays calm and controlled during the content so it does not distract from the speaker or the visuals.

Concrete examples

• A corporate party where the moving heads pulse to the beat the moment the DJ starts.
• A product launch where the beams open up at the moment of the reveal.
• An awards show where moving light guides each winner to the stage.
• A wedding party where, after dinner, the lighting shifts from warm and calm to energetic.
• A concert or band performance where spots, beams and gobos follow the tracks.

The technology behind moving heads

Moving heads deliver impact, but that result does not happen by itself. A good show calls for the right choice of fixtures, a well-considered layout, careful programming and reliable operation. Below we explain how we approach that.

Layout and position

Moving heads come into their own when they have some height and the beams have free rein. That is why we often hang them on a truss above or beside the stage, place them on sturdy stands or fit them into an existing rig. The position strongly determines the effect: from above you let beams fan down over the dance floor, from below you send them out into the room or against a backdrop. The number of fixtures and their placement depend on the size of the space, the available height and the effect you want. They can be used in lower halls too, though we then choose different positions and effects that suit the limited height.

DMX and programming

Control runs via DMX, the standard for lighting control. Each moving head has many controllable channels: alongside colour and intensity, also horizontal and vertical movement, speed, gobo, focus and beam width. To master all that live, we programme scenes and cues in advance on a lighting desk: a series of recorded looks and movements that suit the build of your evening. That way we have a calm look for the welcome, a set of energetic looks for the party and separate cues for the highlights. That preparation is what sets moving heads apart from simple lighting: it is not just plugging in, but building a show.

Setup, testing and operation on location

On the day itself we hang or place the fixtures, aim them at the stage and room positions and connect the DMX control. We then test the full show in the space as it stands during the event, because movements and beam angles sometimes work out slightly differently on location than on paper. We fine-tune the positions and cues until everything is right. During the event a technician stays at the lighting desk to run the show live with the music and the programme, and to trigger the highlights at exactly the right moment. Afterwards we collect everything again, so you have nothing to worry about.

Points to consider specific to moving heads

A few things matter more with moving heads than with fixed lighting. First, height and sightlines: the beams need to move freely without shining into the audience in an annoying way or running into obstacles. We take that into account when positioning.

Second, there is the visibility of the beams. You only really see beams and sharp shafts of light when there is something in the air to catch the light. Without a light smoke or haze, you mainly see the point where the light lands, and not the shaft itself. For a genuine beam show we therefore almost always recommend a special effects solution with haze.

Third, power needs attention. Moving heads have a peak draw during movement and at full load, so we carefully distribute the connections across the available circuits to prevent overloading. Finally, there is safety and rigging: hanging fixtures we secure with safety cables, we weight stands where needed and we tidy cables away in places where guests walk. This is the kind of thing we handle as standard.

Combining with other disciplines

Moving heads are at their strongest as part of a bigger whole. The combination with sound is almost self-evident: the lighting gains enormously the moment it moves with the music, and for a DJ or band we let the cues follow the rhythm of the set. That way sound and light become one experience together rather than two separate elements.

The combination with haze from our special effects is virtually essential for beam work, because only then do the shafts of light truly become visible. At a stage where visuals are also shown, we match the moving heads to the video, so that the moving light draws attention at just the right moments and does not clash with the projection or the screen. Because we, as an audiovisual production company, provide light, sound, video and effects under a single direction, the disciplines dovetail seamlessly and you do not have to coordinate separate suppliers.

Practical tips

• Decide in advance at which moments you really want spectacle: an opening, a reveal or the opening of the dance floor.
• Count on some height or a truss, so the beams have free rein and the effect is maximal.
• Combine beams with a light haze, otherwise you barely see the shafts of light themselves.
• Share your music, running order or theme, so we can programme the scenes and cues specifically.
• Keep the moving heads understated or off during quiet moments such as a dinner or speech, and bring them in when the energy needs to rise.

Renting moving heads from HuurAV

HuurAV is an audiovisual production company in Amsterdam, based at Zeeburgerpad 89 and part of Speaker Verhuur Amsterdam and SpeakerVerhuur.nl. We provide complete AV productions including technicians on location, so you can focus on your event instead of the technology. If you only want to collect individual equipment and operate it yourself, you can turn to SpeakerVerhuur.nl.

Would you like moving heads that bring your show to life, with colour, beam and gobo running live with the music and the programme? Tell us what you have in mind and at which moments it really needs to hit hard, and we will help think through the design, the layout and the operation. Request a no-obligation quote, and we will put together a proposal that suits your event and location.