The most recent shows to turn to VSFX are the new Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White, and the epic new stage production of The Lord of the Rings being produced in Toronto. Both productions are being lit by renowned British lighting designer Paul Pyant who also made extensive use of VSFX moving clouds on the London production of The Woman in White - despite the presence of a number of video projectors on the show. White Light have supplied six VSFX units to The Lord of the Rings, and fourteen to The Woman in White via the show's lighting supplier, Hudson Sound & Light.

First released in 1990, and updated to include built-in DMX control during 2004, the VSFX Optical Effect System was the successor to Strand Lighting's Patt 252 optical effects. The VSFX Drive Unit consists of an aluminium case containing a glass disc covered in a painted or photographic image of clouds, rain, snow, water, smoke or a host of other effects. The disc is rim-driven, allowing VSFX Drive Units to accept both new discs and any existing disc from an older drive unit; VSFX units allow remote control of the speed and director of the disc's movement under the control of any DMX lighting console. VSFX Drive Units are mounted to suitable projectors, such as White Light's Toccata projector, and fitted with a lens to suit the throw distance and, if required, other accessories such as an adjustable mask or beam diverter mirror.

Compact and reasonably priced, the VSFX system provides lighting designers with a versatile, affordable way of creating a whole host of moving effects. VSFX systems have featured in an enormous range of shows over the years, including countless productions of Les Miserables, David Hersey's Tony-award nominated design for Oklahoma! in New York and still on tour in the USA, and the new UK tour of My Fair Lady.

Further information about the VSFX Optical Effect System, including full details of the effect discs available, can be found here on this website.