Lighting a film set?

[WakingDreamStudios]

Hello to all,

I stumbled upon your wonderful forum last night while researching portable lighting and I’m hoping your collective knowledge can help solve a problem of mine. I’m a film maker from the UK and I’m currently planning my next project. Half of it takes place in a very isolated location at night, far away from sources of electricity. After reading about the Lumen output of modern flashlights, I think I may be able to use one as a key light to simulate the moon and then use portable soft lights for fill.

So, my question to you is, is there a flashlight out there that gives 2000+ Lumen (the more the better), is more of a flood than a spot (don’t really need anymore than 50-100feet), and has replaceable batteries that give 60-90 minutes of good light? A 12v battery wouldn’t be a big problem if that would help.

Thank you all in advance,

Jordan

 

[Cataract]

Sounds like you need an HID spotlight. I don't know any flashlight that will fill these requirements, unless you're ready to build it yourself. Some HID's have a focus ability that would most certainly be useful for this application. Check-out the HID section if you want more info.

 

[Ken_McE]

I think you should consider taking an automobile headlight and a car battery and carrying them out to the site in a wheelbarrow. Quick, cheap, simple.

 

[DaveTheDude]

You might consider renting a portable construction lighting rig. These typically operate off of a battery pack, or a portable generator (if commercial power is unavailable).

To give you the broadest available selection (and quick education) run a search on the three-word phrase "balloon light tower." You might also check out some of the more powerful portable lighting products offered at Cyberlux.com.

Good luck with your search. And please remember to post a follow-up note when your production has wrapped (especially if the film is likely to be widely released).

Break a leg...

 

[wyager]

As others have said, you don't want a flashlight for this purpose (unless it's to be used as a prop). If you want stage lighting, go for an HID or automotive incandescent bulb with a big old battery pack in a wheelbarrow or shopping cart or something.

 

[saabluster]

I'm no expert as far as filming is concerned but it seems to me you need to be concerned about the light quality as well. I know you can play tricks with the color in editing but I'd think you need to have your fill match the flood(moon).

Cool white LEDs actually are ideal for simulating moonlight. I don't think there is a single off the self LED light that will suit your needs though. The OlightSR90 is about the best you can do off the self and that can run that long but it may not be enough light for you. It has proprietary battery packs as well and I am unsure whether or not you can buy extras.

Other than that you may see if you can find an HID with changable battery packs. They are not common but I seem to remember there being one.

You could also get multiple small lights that use replaceable cells.

Or lastly you could see if someone here was willing to build you a custom solution.

 

[RedLED]

How about a portable generator and the proper lighting.

 

[Tally-ho]

How about a portable generator and the proper lighting.

We used one for a short film. You need very long cables to have the generator far enough to not hear its noise anymore. We put it in a "cube" made with old mattress(es ?) to help to cut the noise.
You need to calculate roughly how many watts you will need before deciding the best appropriate choice for your situation.
When taking into account all the preparation work for one or several night scene(s)/shot(s), repetition, several filming shots, you will need at least 6 to 8 hours of runtime (before, during and after shots) and certainly more, depending of your working organization and structure of your crew.

 

[qwertyydude]

HID lights and deep cycle batteries are the way to go. Complete flood and silent running. 35w easily puts out 2000 lumens and will run a long time on one charge of a large 12v battery, hot restrike capability also makes it useful to turn on the lights only when needed.

 

[WakingDreamStudios]

Thanks to everyone who's replied, you've pretty much confirmed what I already thought. We have 1k and 2k Arris, the problem is getting a large enough generator to the location to use them and I wanted to explore every other lighting source to see if there was a practical alternative.
HID lights certainly looked promising, but the cost for large ones makes them a less attractive option. I’ve also looked at large (1000W equivalent) LED panels but they’ve also very costly and there’s little information on the light patterns they produce.

@Tally-ho, what wattage generator did you use, I’m thinking we’ll need a 5K to run the 3K of lighting for an extended time? How effective was the mattress cube?

One more question, we’ll need some small flashlights to use “in shot” and for a bit of practical lighting. I’ve been looking at the Ultrafire WF-501B with the CREE LED, is that a good flashlight?

 

[Tally-ho]

...deleted...

 

[qwertyydude]

In shot lighting generally favors throwers. If you're going for the Hollywood-type lights where you want to see the beam but not flood everywhere else with light you might want to get an aspheric light since you can have a pure beam of light or pure flood. Dealextreme has the x2000 light which gets decent reviews. I personally don't like the quality of my 501b, lousy machining loose fitting threads, cheap quality. The 502b looks better but I'd pick my Romisen RC-m4 any day of the week over my 501b. Romisen is much more highly regarded for quality than ultrafire.

 

[jtivat]

http://www.arri.com/lighting/ and a generator.

 

[RedLED]

I have used some of the Honda generators, and they are very quiet. Still, I guess there is always a problem with sound.

For me it is not an issue, as I only shoot stills.

Good luck with your production.

 

[RedLED]

I have been on a ton of movie sets, and remember seeing something to quiet the sound. Check the rental houses in LA, they always seem to have ideas or the people to go to for things.

 

[jtivat]

It's called a quite site real generator with an electronic governor and about 300' of feeder cable.

 

[tygger]

Not sure of your budget but these type generators are used on most shoots requiring power hungry lights. Most film rental places in the UK should have something similar. Lots of very quiet, clean power.

http://www.starpowergenerators.com/

 

[Lawliet]

Another option:
fluorescents with a high CRI, powered by lead acid via a 12V to AC converter.
There are some sets for photographers who don't want to deal with the downsides hot lights or flash, if you don't want to deal with the crafting.