JD Hartman

Saw the film last night and my comment is a little O.T. from this thread. It appeared that none of the art department crew or set decorators where familiar with horses or considered what the streets were like when horses where the primary means of transportation. The cobblestone streets in the film were conspicuously clean and anyone who has been to a stable or seen a parade with horses in it can testify to their prodigous output.

Slightly off topic from this thread, but what is it about K5600 fixtures that inspires such "cult" loyalty? I've worked with DPs that insist on having Joker 400s on the truck, but never use any accessories, just use them as an HMI PAR. It seemed to me a 575 HMI PAR would have worked just as well and been cheaper to rent.

These are an alternative to the Mole-Richardson beamlights: http://www.pani.com/produkte/beleuchtung/e...ng.html?english Made by Pani in Austria and yes, they are available in the USA. I found two of the 1k fixtures on the used market.

Could you just fire a photo strobe outside the window and capture that on film as a "placeholder", then add the lightning effect with editing software? Lightning used to be simulated with a device based on a carbon arc torch. But it exposes the operator to possible burn from the molten carbon and short wave ultra-violet light.

There was no discussion of creating or adding a baby pin in the DIY link either. If a person was going to make a quantity of stands, the legs would be be stronger and cheaper if they were made from bent pipe instead of cast fittings. Crutch tips instead if pipe caps. A 1" electricians bender isn't very expensive or difficult to use.

I agree. That's always been my definition of the job. On one project, the person working as swing insisted that it meant that he stayed with the truck, kept it organized and brought out grip or lighting equipment as needed. It proved to be a great opportunity for him to make phone calls and generally goof off.

What is your definition of the job title, "Swing Grip and Electric"? On a highly structured shoot, rigidly structured crew, what would you expect your duties to include?

One DP always had a grip standing by with a 2x4 in case he needed to be "disconnected". Nice idea in theory, but a myth. The same for having a rope tied around your waist. 220VAC and higher will grab you with a vise like hold and your muscles will freeze up. The amount of force necessary to knock you loose with a 2x4 would also smash your ribcage in. If you have someone standing by, their role would be to disconnect power to the box and call 911. Has anyone here used Anderson clamps? I'll post an image of the next student shoot with a tie-in I see. I seem to be drawn to them.

Okay, it would seem that we have the definitive answer. The answer is no. But instead of locking this thread, it would be better to edit the replies, keep the basic information and move it to a locked Lighting FAQ forum. Same for the power Tie-in thread, because that question will be asked again and again. While Tie-ins became another heated discussion, it would be better to present some basic information along with the cautions and alternatives. To those who will argue that the information is useless, I must counter that in the East Cost/NYC metro area, it's still being done on non-union and student shoots. And the film students are probably the least qualified to attempt it.

Mike, Sorry it came across that way. I've had my share of shocking experiences and have had the one and only high frequency burn I ever want to experience. I agree with you and my point is that this a professional forum, nothing should be anecdotal. I wouldn't rely on a GFCI or arc-fault breaker insuring my safety in this instance.

Just what does this prove? That a Kino can be operated underwater? That a Kino can safely be operated underwater? That using a Kino in this manner is a good idea?

Where are you located?

It would be helpful if you said where you are located and if you'll ship the fixture or if it's local pickup only.

What is the standard (if such a thing exists) or typical number of hours that you base your rate on? Twelve, fourteen hours? Do you expect your deal memo to specify a standard number of hours turn around in a work day? I realize that responsibilities vary with the job title, as does the work remaining after the last shot of the day. I'm trying to arrive at a standard number of hours to appear in my next deal memo along with my rate as Gaffer. Would you suggest writing in an overtime or penalty clause for days that stretch beyond the agreed norm?

A 10 or 15k generator is not a "put-put". The generator sold by Sams does state, "electronic governor". It has no enclosure or much of a muffler. No statement of dB of noise at 10m. No mention of who makes the engine. Stated engine life is very short. Generator repair technicians don't hold Generac in very high regard. If you are looking for a 5k generator for film use, no manufacturer builds one, ready to go, out of the box. That is why the units at rental houses are modified before being put into service. A good generator mechanic should be able to add the frequency regulation, fuel pump, Bates connector, camlocks, etc., if you explain what you need done. You may have to provide a source for parts or the parts themselves.

Did Flight Systems say they didn't have a unit for your generator or did they say that they thought adding a frequency governor was not a good idea economically? Despite the assertions of another, voltage most certainly is regulated and can be adjust by varying the exciter field in the generator.

Is there an actual certification process? Something that involves a test? Do requirement vary, state by state? I know that OSHA certifies lift truck operators, but you don't have to be certified to operate one. Same for a scissor lift. Why not try New York State OSHA.

Your talking about two different things here: voltage regulation; frequency requlation. Frequency regulation is done by controlling the generator speed, through...you guessed it, a governor. Cheap generators will have a mechanical unit, better generator will have an electronic units that samples the output and makes adjustments through a servo controlled throttle. Voltage regulation is via a regulator board and in better generators, OEM is usually sufficient. I'd be more concerned with the fuel supply, most small genys don't have a fuel pump. One should be added. There are other makers of frequency requlation equipment, Flight Systems is one of them.

Where did it say the bulbs were daylight balanced? I read 3200 deg., it's halogen temp. not daylight. The tint on the bulb could be some type of filter coating to remove light in a certain spectrum or it could be pure B.S. Just another article showing the use of worklights. This has been discussed here again and again. The search function will produce similar threads.

Is someone who buys a $9 halogen worklight, really going to spend the money to buy a barndoor kit? Why not just buy a used Mole or Colortran broad or nook light?

It sounds as if he is trying to film a Greyhound "Lure Coursing", not racing where the dog chases a mechanical lure on a rail. A totally different sport, where the dogs chase a lure pulled by a line run through pulleys on a zig zag course. It requires both speed and abrupt turning agility from the dogs, something a vehicle can't do. I would attempt to film the run with multiple cameras from different point in the course. The camera operators must be careful not to distrct the animal.

You want the off camera light to appear to have come from the striker of the lighter, just substitute a gas torch striker for the lighter. The flint is larger and it produces a larger shower of sparks reliably. You could even use multiple strikers to increase the effect. Cost is a few dollars or free if you borrow them from prople with propane or oxy/acetylene torches. Here a link: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=8...p;PARTPG=INLMK3

Did it look like this: http://www.advancescaffold.com/drop-forged-fittings.html The double coupler fitting?

The 6" suction cups (Woods brand not Harbor Freight) will hold 70lbs. each. Even using three for support, a ratchet strap, securing the camera to another anchor point would be common sense.

This question belongs in one of the camera forums not "Gripping". I don't think anyone considers a camera tripod to be grip equipment and a Grip wouldn't handle a tripod or deal with camera gear.