create lightning

[Max Hoever]

Hi there,

 

can someone tell me how to create lightning in a good and easy way!?

Would be ideal to find a way of doing it with different sources of different itensities shifted at almoust the same time without spending to much money :rolleyes:

We are shooting on film.

I dont know if you normaly link the lamp (flash or "normal") with the cam so that you can be sure, that you hit the exposure!? But even if, we wont have any opportunity to do so. Cant afford any computer based stuff I think.

I wouldnt care about having a amplitudinal flash for about 3 frames to be sure to catch it...

I heard of people just having two guys with flags in front of a HMI opening up for a very short time..

..and about some jalousie applications for a lamp where you just push a button!?

 

I'm curios about any ideas..

 

also, if someone has any recommendations about films with lightning??

I know there are lots of, but just like that nothing really comes to my mind.

 

THANX FOR YOUR HELP

[Chad Stockfleth]

There are a variety of flicker boxes and strobing lights. Here is a link to a rental company to give you an idea of what is available and how much it might cost:

 

http://www.midwestgrip.com/05gadgets.htm

 

good luck!

 

Chad

[David Mullen ASC]

The relatively cheap method I've used still requires a strong HMI light, but you use metal venetian-style shutters in front that you slap open and close randomly.

[Matthew Parnell]

The shutters David is talking about are called lighting shutters, and should be avaliable from most well stocked hire places.

 

If you are interested here is a discussion on Lightning Strikes Lamps, which are typically more effective over a large area. http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%20GB/Lightning.htm

 

Cheers.

Matt.

[Max Hoever]

Thanks everybody for your answers!!

 

I started shooting with the version David recommended, it seems to working out.

And its a not that expensive tool too!

 

THX