JD Hartman

E. Read has provided an excellant idea. Most elevators have a 110v outlet for maintainence, although I recall seeing it on top of the elevator cab. Getting access to it may be a problem, hatches, at least in NYC, NY are all bolted shut to prevent accidents from "elevator surfing". As told to me by a life long elevator repairguy. What kind of lighting is in the elevator? Cool white tubes? Bare bulbs, small pars? Anything with a socket that you can tap power from?

The zips normally use 1000w FCM globes, 28000 lumens. Possible substitutes are: 750w EJG, 20600 lumens, 500w FDF, 13000 lumens or FCL, 10000 lumens. The FCL is a cheaper globe than the FDF as well as having a slightly lower color temperature. The above specs. are from the USHIO lamp catalog.

If you didn't care about your lungs or those of your cast and crew, you could also use DE, Diatomaceous earth or Fullers earth. Any fine particles suspended in the air are going to find their way into the lungs. That can be the start of any number or respritory diseases like: Black Lung, Red lung, silicosis, etc. If I recall correctly bee smokers aren't permitted on set in the U.S.A. It would be best, even with a limited budget to do things safely and correctly. Even using a hazer or fogger, it's common courtesy to provide dust masks for the crew.

A softlight or a zip without an eggcrate is like a fresnel without its lens. Sure,it works without one, but not as well. Putting diffusion on the barndoors or an open face or fresnel is not going to give you the same quiality of light that a softlight will.

You aren't giving enough information. A 4k HMI with what kind of ballast, electronic, magnetic? How many amps does it draw? How many amps to strike the lamp? That is what you need to know to size your generator. By the way, manufacturers of portable generator seem to quote their output using the surge watts, not the continuous output. So a Honda 5500 doesn't give you 5500 watts, except for a brief time. Same for the Honda EU3000, 2800 watts, not 3000.

If you want a softlight, then I'd recommend buying a used Mole 1k or 2k zip. Cheaper and a lot more rugged.

What was the point of the guy describing the correct steps, when he didn't even have the sense to elevate himself out of the water with an apple box? A rubber floor mat? Was his display simply bravado? If his body accidently conducted enough voltage to cause his muscles to spasm and lock up, no amount of force is going to break him loose. So a 2x4 or a rope isn't going to help. Hal, lineman are trained and typically work on engergized equipment and lines on a daily basis. Usually at a potential much greater than the 220 or 440 volts a film set electrician works with. True, to safely tie-in requires knowledge and proper protective equipment, but not the level of gear worn by someone working on a live 14kv line. Ideally a tie-in would be done in a de-engerized panel, but that isn't always possible. If it weren't for tie-in's many indies would never be shot because their budget can't cover a genny rental. I don't disagree with you that the knowledge can only come from first hand training. There are too many variable to cover in a how-to manual.

Hate to post this. Your question makes me think that you should be reading some basic lighting books, trying out the techniques and obserseving the effect. Methods described in books such as: Painting with Light and many others, are still used today.

Sorry to cross post. I need the information quickly and would prefer a personal recommendation rather than just a company name. Has anyone dealt with rental companies that they can reffer me to in New Orleans or near the city? I'm looking to rent a 1 ton package (maybe a 3 ton) with tungsten lights, for a week or so in about 3 weeks. What should I budget for the rental? Would it be significantly higher or lower than New York City rates? JD

If you were to replace your vehicle battery with an Optima deep cycle battery or batteries, you would have a portable 12vdc power source with a built in recharger. http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/opt...onfig/home.html The batteries mount in any position, have no liquid electrolyte to spill and some of them are designed to survive in harsh environments. Mount a 12v recepticle like the type found on a forklift battery on the vehicle and you have your connection.

Has anyone dealt with rental companies that they can reffer me to in New Orleans or near the city? I'm looking to rent a 1 ton package (maybe a 3 ton) with tungsten lights, for a week or so in about 3 weeks. What should I budget for the rental? Would it be significantly higher or lower than New York City rates? JD

I'd contact the NY local, 59 I believe.

This may be the case where, "a picture is worth a thousand words." For more specific information on individual projects, direct them to your website, if you have one. I just found your resume a little confusing. The specialty rigging that you speak of, what made it special? Was it because it was on construction equipment? Was it because the equipment was being operated during the shoot? Or was it because you had to design and maybe fabricate custom equipment for the shoot?

Try rebar tie wire. Available at a mason's supply, building supply, etc. It's dull black, soft iron wire.

The things I see is that you have been DP and camera operator on a number of projects. On "Desilva &" you are listed as cam. op., but on the same line it says ariel and rigging. Was it arial photography or did you also assemble and rig the plane/helicopter/whatever mount and thus are claiming credit as a "rigging grip"? Car mount? Did you shoot, using a simple car mount or did you design and build the camera mount from components? It isn't clear where your experience really lies.

Thanks, I'm looking for another pole operated Colortran 2k. The combo of remote pan, tilt and focus makes up for the fixtures wieght.

Coroplast, the corregated plastic sheet that is used to print disposable advertising and political signs. Easily cut with a utility knife, lantern is kept between two sheet, with a strip of gaff tape on each side. Can be purchased at a plastics supply. Or you can collect old signs and reduce visual pollution in the landscape.

Considering you budget, you will have more flexability for your shoot if you rent requipment instead of buying it. If you describe your shoot, a rental house should be able to provide you with a selection of lights and grip equipment to suit your needs.

Carry a set of folding allen wrenches (hex keys), both std. and metric. A roll of both electric tape and friction tape.

Yes, the DP will use his or her meter and take a reading when and where they feel necessary. If my meter is used for a reference it is because I am asked to do so. It is sometimes handy to use during prelighting to establish a more accurate level than just purely by eye.

A photo of the Colortran 2K would be great or a model number. If it a pole operated studio model? Where are you located?

Shame on me then. I work more video shoots than I do film. If I'm gaffer on a film shoot, I'd have my meter and I wouldn't be peering over the directors shoulder, looking at the monitor. I'd may occasionally be found getting a look at the camera framing, through the viewfinder, between takes.

If you're the Gaffer on a shoot and have a lighting crew reporting to you, your place is by the DP side. And yes, you will look at the monitor so you can see what the DP sees and understand what needs to be told to your people to get the job done. If it's a video shoot, there is a good chance the camera operator, who is often the DP as well will be using "zebras" to determine exposure. It's called the chain of command.

A 25 or 30 foot tape measure. I disagree with the lightmeter requirement. Unless you are shooting film, you can easily get by without it. I'd add an "outlet checker", a plug in that tells you if the receptacle is live, grounded properly and wired correctly. Like this one: http://www.elexp.com/tst_9610.htm Any brand will be fine. Quicker than using your VOM. I wouldn't buy a voltage tick. Carry an assortment of screws, some drywall screw of different lengths and some machine screws (6-32, 8-32, 10-32, 10-24, 1/4-20 vaious lenghts) for repairs. Keep a two foot lenght of trick line in your pouch and some tie-wire.

Sorry no photo, but it accepts a ball. These tripods can't be that odd, the company had two sales/rental/manufacturing facilities at one time.