Xenon Lighting

[Evan Andrew John Prosofsky]

So I've been reading on the forums here and there seems to be a bit of a dispute with Xenon lighting and whether or not it flickers when shot off-speed. I have a shoot coming up where I need to spotlight an ice skater inside a massive arena with a xenon and film her in slow motion (probably 100-120fps). Can anyone please confirm 100% or not whether I will have issues? Do I need to rent a specific style of xenon or ballast?

 

Secondly, in regards to achieving the actual lighting effect:

 

I have actually never worked with a Xenon before so I can only conjecture at the result. I imagine that the Xenon will be best for creating this spotlight effect because of its near parallel beam, am I correct? And can anyone recommend roughly what brightness of xenon I need? I have access to a 2k or 4k. Again -- the light needs to brightly spotlight the ice skater within a regular hockey sized arena. Or is this whole thing better suited for a larger HMI unit? I am limited to a Honda 6500 genny.

 

Lastly, I have read that Xenon's only work at angles of 15 degrees or less, is this true? It would be good to know, regardless I am hoping this won't be an issue because I can simply position the light at the top of the arena and tilt it moderately towards the ice, which shouldn't require too much movement.

 

Can't wait to see what y'all think. Thanks so much as always! Best,

 

Evan

[Guy Holt]

Or is this whole thing better suited for a larger HMI unit? I am limited to a Honda 6500 genny.

 

If all you have for power is a Honda 6500 you won’t be able to use a Xenon because both the Britelight (http://www.arclightefx.com/bl2k.htm) and Silverbeam PL-20

(http://www.phoebus.com/pdf/PSL-20.pdf) require 3 phase power – Honda 6500s are single phase generators.

 

Your best bet is an HMI. What size HMI depends on what else you have to run on the generator. What else do you have to run on the genny?

 

Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip

[Evan Andrew John Prosofsky]

If all you have for power is a Honda 6500 you won’t be able to use a Xenon because both the Britelight (http://www.arclightefx.com/bl2k.htm) and Silverbeam PL-20

(http://www.phoebus.com/pdf/PSL-20.pdf) require 3 phase power – Honda 6500s are single phase generators.

 

Your best bet is an HMI. What size HMI depends on what else you have to run on the generator. What else do you have to run on the genny?

 

Guy Holt, Gaffer, ScreenLight & Grip

Wow interesting. Good to know. Does a typical household outlet offer 3 phase power? I've never heard of this before :/

 

Fortunately we don't need to run anything else on the 6500, just the "spotlight".

[Matthew Parnell]

Just to check what you mean by 'spotlight' do you just mean a beam of light, or a theatrical styled spotlight? If its a theatrical style you are after Most larger lighting hire companies carry a range of these, from short to long throw, ranging from 1.2k - 4k HMI.