gun flashes

[rob spence]

Hi

Does anyone know the best way to produce a realistic gunfire flash off camera.

I need to do a shot of a soldier firing a gun in the air at night...the gun will be off camera as he raises his hand with the gun

many thanks

 

rob spence

[David Mullen ASC]

Generally a flash from a strobe or an old-fashioned flashbulb works, gelled orange if possible.

 

Prop people sometimes have these flash trays that hold the old flashcubes for these sorts of effects. The flash is longer in duration than from an electronic flash on a still camera. See:

http://www.flashbulbs.com/index.shtml

[Simon Miya]

If shooting on film with a reflex camera, remember this: if you see the flash (gunfire, strobe, or any other flash faster than 1/48th of a second) in the viewfinder, then you won't see it on the film. Keep shooting until you get a shot where you didn't see the flash in the viewfinder/video assist.

[rob spence]

Thanks Dave

 

and to simon interesting point

 

rob

[Simon Miya]

I should amend that to say that you might see the flash on film if you saw it in the viewfinder - there could be some overlap over the shutter boundary if the flash is timed just right. But that is far from a sure bet, and the only way to be certain is to keep shooting until you get a shot where you see no flash in the viewfinder.

[Bruno Alzaga]

I should amend that to say that you might see the flash on film if you saw it in the viewfinder - there could be some overlap over the shutter boundary if the flash is timed just right. But that is far from a sure bet, and the only way to be certain is to keep shooting until you get a shot where you see no flash in the viewfinder.

 

One time, shooting at night, the DoP needs to simulate a gun shot. But the gun was on camera. So he use a HMI 575w with 85 half and in front of the light que put a frame with several stripes of steel. This thing have a system, so when you pull up a stick the stripes open and the light pass throug and when you pull the stripes close. I have to said that a tree was near the light so the effect is more realistic because the light bounce in the tree. You can see the effect in the trailer. PLease visit http://www.paristexas.com.uy/EL_COJONUDO/trailer.html

[thamilmaaran]

If shooting on film with a reflex camera, remember this: if you see the flash (gunfire, strobe, or any other flash faster than 1/48th of a second) in the viewfinder, then you won't see it on the film. Keep shooting until you get a shot where you didn't see the flash in the viewfinder/video assist.

 

 

Nice. that is most notable point. Thank you.

 

N.THAMILMAARAN,

INDIAcinemaran@gmail.com

Edited April 22, 2007 by thamilmaaran

[Tony Brown]

As you're in the UK contact David French Props http://www.photohire.btinternet.co.uk/ for long duration flash bulb / guns. They supply either single guns or a unit that will fire up to 4. Dont worry about the shutter with these, they are long burn and never miss. Used them in Prague last week, they always work great.

[rob spence]

As you're in the UK contact David French Props http://www.photohire.btinternet.co.uk/ for long duration flash bulb / guns. They supply either single guns or a unit that will fire up to 4. Dont worry about the shutter with these, they are long burn and never miss. Used them in Prague last week, they always work great.

 

Thanks Tony

Seems like a great belt and braces way to achieve the effect

 

rob spence

www.bigness.co.uk

[Guest Evan Pierre]

One time, shooting at night, the DoP needs to simulate a gun shot. But the gun was on camera. So he use a HMI 575w with 85 half and in front of the light que put a frame with several stripes of steel. This thing have a system, so when you pull up a stick the stripes open and the light pass throug and when you pull the stripes close. I have to said that a tree was near the light so the effect is more realistic because the light bounce in the tree. You can see the effect in the trailer. PLease visit http://www.paristexas.com.uy/EL_COJONUDO/trailer.html

 

Is this the part you meant?

 

 

You did a nice job, it looks like he's firing a real bullet.

[Bruno Alzaga]

Is this the part you meant?

 

 

You did a nice job, it looks like he's firing a real bullet.

 

I meant other scene. Is almost at the end of the trailer. The actor shoot to the air. You can see the the HMI 575 reflected on the tree at the left.

 

Thanks

[Bruno Alzaga]

I meant other scene. Is almost at the end of the trailer. The actor shoot to the air. You can see the the HMI 575 reflected on the tree at the left.

 

Thanks

 

This is the scene.

[Guest Evan Pierre]

This is the scene.

 

gotcha thanks

 

I didnt realize that was a tree at first ;)