movie lighting

[sirchimpalot]

Just wondering what makes movie lights "movie" lights.
I am looking for decent lights for my first feature-length project I'm working on. Particularly for exterior night shooting. I can get hold of theatre lights from where I work. I know these will work okay, but how much difference is there between these, and the professional lights to rent?

I know this is a pretty vague question, but hey, I'm a pretty vague person.

(I understand that just about any light source can be used when making films ... I am just wondering what the deal is on the so-called "professional lighting equipment)

[This message has been edited by sirchimpalot (edited May 16, 2000).]

[sirchimpalot]

it will be on digital

[RedRaven]

Are you shooting on film or video? If you're shooting on film, I believe the wrong type of lighting can cause a strobing effect at certain film speeds. I don't know the exact details. If you're shooting video, I wouldn't worry.

[cinemageek]

what makes movie lights movie lights is.....
expensive movie lights have a color temp of
3200K which corelates with tungsten balanced film......or other lights which ,such as hmi, have a color temp around 5500-5600(about the same as daylight)....
but since you are using dv...you can probly get away with what ever lights you are using

that's a real basic explanation...



[This message has been edited by cinemageek (edited May 18, 2000).]

[mattias]

you still need an even color temperature, even if you're shooting on video. it's easier to white balance video than it is film, but all the lights must still be the same temperature.

unless... basic rule of filmmaking: you'll never want to do [whatever] unless you want to.

and lights will flicker on video too if they are of the "wrong" type. luckily, most lights in ntsc countries are compatible with ntsc and vice versa for pal since their frequency is derived from the line current and so is video. tungsten lights never have this problem at all though.

/matt

[Jon Taylor]

Only the older models of HMI's with wire wound ballasts cause flicker at certain F.p.s speed. in the US, where the AC power supply runs at (110V) 60 Hz, the following speeds will shoot quite happily without flicker are : 12, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, 60 f.p.s. Whilst in the UK (220V @ 50 Hz) the safe speeds are 10, 12.5, 16.666, 20, 25, 33.333 & 50 f.p.s.

Spend a little extra ?'s or $'s and hire HMI's with electronic ballasts - problem solved.

Jon.

[AnnaCarrington]

Do theatre spot lights have to have saftey glass?

[sirchimpalot]

No. Movie lights do I take it?

[sirchimpalot]

Thanks for the info peeps