Premium Member Paul Maibaum ASC Posted June 14, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted June 14, 2008 Had an opportunity to use the Airstar "Cloud" last week on a day exterior location in Simi Valley, CA. The "cloud" or "light shutter" as it is called, is a 20'x20'x3-1/2' inflatable silk balloon with a stop loss of 3 to 3-1/2 stops. It worked out really well for our purposes.....location was a large home on a ranch in Simi Valley, shooting exterior in the rear patio, large palm trees, 3 levels of patio, as many as 8 actors in a scene, no shade, etc. The floating silk took very little time to place once it was inflated and floated over the area we were shooting in. Re-adjusting for the changing position of the sun was accomplished in a reasonable amount of time by the two technicians sent out with the ballon by Airstar. They were able to let lines out and then winch in other lines to change the balloon's position as we were shooting. Knowing where to start with the placement of the four anchor points was key to the quick adjustments and the guys from Airstar really knew what they were doing. Wind, obviously, is a big factor in the ability to utilize the balloon. It did become too windy during the late morning of the day we were shooting. We calculated when we would pull the plug on the ballon and the crew to get them back to their shop before they went into overtime should it remain too windy to use the balloon. But during the latter part of our lunch break the balloon techs were able to position the "cloud" since the wind had died down, and as we came back up the hill from lunch I could see the thing already up and hovering over our location. (I am not in any way affiliated with Airstar or receiving compensation of any kind for this endorsement) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Adrian Sierkowski Posted June 14, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted June 14, 2008 I wonder how many UFO reports were lodged that day. Pretty awesome idea, though honestly, I just want to lay down on it and take a nap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Wallens Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Interesting, Paul. Thanks for the info. Does Airstar require you to hire their techs? Or can the grips on set be responsible for the Cloud? Also, what's in it? Helium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Paul Maibaum ASC Posted June 14, 2008 Author Premium Member Share Posted June 14, 2008 The use of the Airstar "Cloud" requires at least one of their techs, we had two due to the nature of the location. The balloon uses 6 tanks of helium to fill it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Rosenbloom Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Does the wind push it down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Paul Maibaum ASC Posted June 15, 2008 Author Premium Member Share Posted June 15, 2008 Wind can push it all over the place, including down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Metzger Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 That's sweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 (edited) It can double as a mattress when your best boy needs a nap. :D Edited June 17, 2008 by James Steven Beverly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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