ephraim Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 (edited) In an upcoming project that I'm shooting, we're supposed to create a lightning effect for a scene that takes place in a storm on a boat. We'll be shooting the scene on a stage. I've never actually had to create lightning, so I was hoping to get someone's expert opinion on what kind of lights work best, and any other kind of other advice for lighting a storm scene on a boat. I've heard that you can use lightning strikes, but that's about all I know. Edited June 26, 2008 by ephraim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Adrian Sierkowski Posted June 26, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted June 26, 2008 A hard point source with a shutter on the front. I know the old carbon arcs used to be used for this type of effect with shutters on front for flashing (though that was, iirc, back in the b/w days). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 (edited) Lightning Strikes are great.. and easily controllable... the old school method of mashing Carbon Arcs (rods) together in a plexi box deliver a more... 'organic' strike. We used Carbon Arc Strikes on Stan Winston's PUMPKINHEAD. I love the mashed carbon arc method.. but you have to designate a plant just for that as it draws a ton of amps. I don't recommend 'Shutters'.. I have used them and they just don't 'feel' real..(to me). If I had a choice, I would use the carbon rod method any day. There is a sample of Lightning Strikes on my Feature Demo Reel (at the beginning there is an Exterior Night scene using Lightning Strikes. Edited June 26, 2008 by David Rakoczy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Adrian Sierkowski Posted June 26, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted June 26, 2008 Agreed on the shutters not feeling real. I had forgotten about the mis-striking of the arcs. Don't see too many arcs here in Philadelphia. Plus I'd not want to phantom the Amp draw on those units! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Lightning Strikes are great.. and easily controllable... the old school method of mashing Carbon Arcs (rods) together in a plexi box deliver a more... 'organic' strike. We used Carbon Arc Strikes on Stan Winston's PUMPKINHEAD. I love the mashed carbon arc method.. but you have to designate a plant just for that as it draws a ton of amps. I don't recommend 'Shutters'.. I have used them and they just don't 'feel' real..(to me). If I had a choice, I would use the carbon rod method any day. There is a sample of Lightning Strikes on my Feature Demo Reel (at the beginning there is an Exterior Night scene using Lightning Strikes. That is why we had a separate Genny just for them. They really are fantastic. Lightning Strikes (tho Great) are more of a 'digital' Strike as the Carbon Rods are very, very 'organic' as they come up and dissipate with each Strike. Very Eerie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Bruno Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Do not use carbon arcs on a stage if you have never simulated lighting before. That's all I can say. The guys at lightning strike are usually really nice about showing you how to correctly operate their equipment. If you don't know, ask. They'll appreciate it. They don't want their stuff broken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Do not use carbon arcs on a stage if you have never simulated lighting before. Why is that?... on Pumpkinhead we used them in a Living Room and a Kitchen... Yes.. we did. Lightning Strikes are fantastic and don't make any noise... but if you have Wind, Leaves etc.. blowing around, an Arc Plunger can't be beat for it's quality of Light on each Strike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timHealy Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Do not use carbon arcs on a stage if you have never simulated lighting before. That's all I can say. I'd like to ask why too? Hollywood did that for decades. I myself only once or twice. Shutters on a light can work depending on the shot and the technician operating them. Don't forget carbon arcs run off DC and Lighting Strikes have really great battery packs that make renting a separate generator unnecessary (as long as they are charged). Generators don't like em anyway, or at least the generator owners don't like Lighting Strikes hooked up to their machines. best Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 (edited) [shutters on a light can work depending on the shot and the technician operating them.] Tim Healy I totally agree Tim. An 'Artist' can get more for less.. no doubt. I (believe) this thread started with a Boat in a Tossing Sea - a Storm... Rain, Lightning, Thunder. ... In that shooting environment 'sound' is not as much an issue for the DP with regard to his/her Lighting Effects because the 'Actual Physical Effects' drown out any Lighting Dept. noise.. so in that environment.. I would push for a Plunger or two... also, there is no 'learning curve' ... just push the Plunger and get what you want.. believe me.. a Plunger 'electrifies' the creative juices of the crew.. it does! Hearing that indescribable sound of the 'arc' really gets people 'juiced'...! Edited June 29, 2008 by David Rakoczy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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