Scott Frace

I am guessing you have recorded these files with a AVCHD camcorder? If so use the "Log and Transfer" in Final Cut Pro (File -> Log and Transfer). Same basis as "Log and Capture" for older DV tape but it will locate the M2T or MTS files and convert them to whatever codec you prefer. Just click on the "Preferences" in the upper right corner of the Log and Transfer window (it looks like a small gear) and select which codec to convert too. Apple ProRes422 works best for me, and will look virtually lossless for AVCHD files. ProRes422(HQ) or ProRes4444 would work for an uncompressed stream but may be overkill for AVCHD files since the camcorder has already compressed the data and you'd end up with files with very large size with no better quality. I hope this helps you out.

Guy, I actually decided to go with the step down transformer instead of the 240V globe. My father is an electrical engineer at a nuclear facility and that's what he had suggested I do. He actually got a barely used 7.5KVa transformer from his work that we wired with a 60amp bates receptacle that I got from another local filmmaker. We powered the light up successfully off a 5500w generator with good results. I still haven't tried bouncing the light into the helium balloon but it seems like it should give me enough light to work with. I'll post pictures of the lighting setup from the set once I shoot. It's not until after Thanksgiving but just want to get all this figured out now. Thanks again everyone for all the help on this topic!

The courthouse is in a city setting with only two large flood lights going up the front of the building. The scene being portrayed is a couple running out of a high society dinner after getting into a fight, so I'm just looking to have nice even light with a green wash on the building in the back. I will use LED wash lights that I have access to from a local DJ. As for the 230V globe, I have access to one from our school, for some reason they have an extra bulb laying around that we don't even have the fixture for.

I am planning on lighting a night scene outside our cities courthouse. I was planning on using a 8' helium balloon with a B&M 5K tungsten light bounced off it to created a soft glow, then fill in the front with a soft box and smaller lights where needed. The problem is the only generator I can get is a 6000w but only has two 30amp 240V outlets and six 20amp 120V outlets. If I have done the math correctly the 5K light is approximately 42amps running a 5000W DPY 120V bulb, which exceeds the 120V outlet max. Is it possible to change the bulb to a 5000W Arri CP29 220-240V and run it off the 240V line? This should bring the amps down to 22ish which the generator is able to handle. I'm a student filmaker so HMI lights are out of the question. We have no rental places within 90 miles and no budget to work with. Is there another method to achieve the soft light look? I have several 1000w and 500w lights to work with. I'll be shooting with a RED one mainly 28mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses, stopped down to f/4. Not sure if that helps with how much light I will need. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You.