Xenon flashights

Demian Barba · May 20, 2005

Hi,

I will be shooting a scene in which burlgars break into a gallery at night. I want to use the flashlights they carry as the main light source by having them aim at bounce boards

placed right outside the frame.

I attached a floor plan. I would apreciate any comments and flashlight model recommendations.

We will be shooting in s16mm with the new reala 500D film stock and carl zeiss super speeds. I am considering pulling the stock one stop to see more into the shadows and lower contrast. This will go to telecine only.

Thanks

Demian

David Mullen ASC · May 21, 2005

Why use F-500D Reala when they are using tungsten flashlights? Fuji F-500T Eterna would give you the correct color temperature, plus it is finer-grained and sharper than F-500D.

Oh... I see the subject headline is Xenon flashlights, I assume you mean those big daylight-balanced things you see in early "X Files" episodes and in "Jurassic Park". Not sure why a burglar would have those huge things...

Something like a Streamlight or Surefire flashlight would make more sense.

http://www.streamlight.com/

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_dis...br/16/sesent/00

Demian Barba · May 21, 2005

Thanks for replying David,

No, I don't mean a big dayight balanced flashlight, but smothing like the ones lister below.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/NexxTech-Xe...roductDetail.do

http://shopping.discovery.com/stores/servl...rtnumber=697326

I guess I should rephrase my question: Can anyone recoommend a very powerfull flashlight that won't cost over $50.

About the film stock: it is a tiny script (4 1/2) with a constrained budget. We will try to tackle the short in five 400" cans. Two third takes place at night, one at dawn. I would like to stick to one film stock. I thought the new reala 500D would be have a finer grain that the eterna 500T, but if that is the case I'll consider swiching.

David Mullen ASC · May 21, 2005

Unless this is a new Reala 500D, not the one that has been out for two years, Reala 500D wasn't even as fine-grained as the OLD version of 500T, let alone the new Eterna version.

As for bright flashlights, it's worth it spend the money on the really bright ones if you want a good exposure, but it depends on how much you are lighting a scene with just the light that BOUNCES BACK onto faces or can play the scene in silhouette with just the bright beams and flares but not much exposure coming back at people.

Jon Rosenbloom · May 21, 2005

Make room in the budget for the batteries for the sure-fire flashlights!

Rik Andino · May 23, 2005

I guess I should rephrase my question: Can anyone recoommend a very powerfull flashlight that won't cost over $50.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How about your standard Mag-light...

http://www.maglite.com/productline.asp

It's not Xenon or anything special...but with fresh batteries it's pretty bright

And like David said what kinda look are you going for?

You can't just rely on flashlights to light you're whole scene

You'll need some fill light to help define the objects in the room...

Unless you're going for a really dark look.

Eitherways it's your decision we can't tell you how to light a scene.

Good Luck

Josh Hill · May 23, 2005

Don't forget lights outside the building. I'm sure that there are streelights somewhere in the vicinity or something of the sort. Or hard moonlight (I have a high window in my apartment and have noticed that moonlight is far harder than I ever gave it credit for).

With lights outside coming in you can get creative with the shooting and lighting without worrying about lighting everything solely from the flashlights.

boy yniguez · May 25, 2005

Hi,

I will be shooting a scene in which burlgars break into a gallery at night. I want to use the flashlights they carry as the main light source by having them aim at bounce boards

placed right outside the frame.

I attached a floor plan. I would apreciate any comments and flashlight model recommendations.

We will be shooting in s16mm with the new reala 500D film stock and carl zeiss super speeds. I am considering pulling the stock one stop to see more into the shadows and lower contrast. This will go to telecine only.

Thanks

Demian

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

go to a dive shop and check out dive lights. they are specifically designed for deep water penetration. some models throw a very strong spot yet complimented by a wide flood which could help in giving fill to areas not being hit by the spot.