Never having done outdoor electric lighting, I am wondering how that is done for indie filmmaking. I see two solutions-- batteries or a gas powered generator. Batteries seem like they would be heavy and not last long. A gas powered electrical generator seems like a great solution, except that wouldn't the noise from it be picked up by the microphones when recording dialog, etc, which would be horrible to have on the soundtrack. Or when shooting outdoors should I just figure on using natural light and whiteboard reflectors?
?Randall (Beowulf)
Batteries are one option with the down side you mention. A generator, too, has the down side you mention. By "indie" I assume you restrict your meaning to someone with no budget. I'm an indie filmmaker and I rent a genny designed for use on a set. Before I could afford to rent a movie genny I was forced to shoot close to a power source so I could run stingers (extension cords) to the location. It's amazing what you can do with careful camera angles and lighting.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
I know that there are 'Eliminator' power packs that might do the job. They are essentially large batteries designed to last a relatively long time, since they are designed to run fridges, etc in an emergency. Depending on the lights you're using, and how many you need, something like that should work for you. Just check out your local hardware stores for power packs/inverters, and get the most powerful one you can. The one I was looking at was 1,200A, it wasn't huge, and it came with a rolling dolly. Unfortunately, this particular one is found only at Canadian Tire, and as the name suggests, it's a Canadian store. Might give you a little more freedom if you already have a location in mind that doesn't have a power outlet nearby.
'In the life that man creates for himself, he too, creates his demise... and his legacy.'
'In the life that man creates for himself, he too, creates his demise... and his legacy.'
quote:
Originally posted by certified instigator
Batteries are one option with the down side you mention. A generator, too, has the down side you mention. By "indie" I assume you restrict your meaning to someone with no budget. I'm an indie filmmaker and I rent a genny designed for use on a set. Before I could afford to rent a movie genny I was forced to shoot close to a power source so I could run stingers (extension cords) to the location. It's amazing what you can do with careful camera angles and lighting.
So are movie generators made to be really quiet or something? I just can not help but think that gas powered generators would emit noise (unwanted) that the mic would pick up and record? By indie I mean low budget-- I guess I mean starting out with $5000-10000 films, but in a few years I can finance a $100,000-250,000 indie film which i know is still low budget by hollywood standards but for me self-financing it that is a huge can of quarters. ?8D?
quote:
Originally posted by certified instigator
Batteries are one option with the down side you mention. A generator, too, has the down side you mention. By "indie" I assume you restrict your meaning to someone with no budget. I'm an indie filmmaker and I rent a genny designed for use on a set. Before I could afford to rent a movie genny I was forced to shoot close to a power source so I could run stingers (extension cords) to the location. It's amazing what you can do with careful camera angles and lighting.
I am seeing "quiet" (advertised) generators like this one (which may not be quiet enough at all for filmmaking?)
http://www.amazon.com/Kipor-Sinemaster-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B000BWH5OQ/ref=sr_1_7/104-2813657-5607148?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1178218232&sr=1-7
that advertise about 60db noise at 23 feet. What sort of db noise level maximum should I be looking for if shopping for a genny to power a couple of lights for outdoor fill or key lighting, etc., to supplement natural light?
quote:
Originally posted by Wordslinger
I know that there are 'Eliminator' power packs that might do the job. They are essentially large batteries designed to last a relatively long time, since they are designed to run fridges, etc in an emergency. Depending on the lights you're using, and how many you need, something like that should work for you. Just check out your local hardware stores for power packs/inverters, and get the most powerful one you can. The one I was looking at was 1,200A, it wasn't huge, and it came with a rolling dolly. Unfortunately, this particular one is found only at Canadian Tire, and as the name suggests, it's a Canadian store. Might give you a little more freedom if you already have a location in mind that doesn't have a power outlet nearby.'In the life that man creates for himself, he too, creates his demise... and his legacy.'
OK I think I am starting to understand this a little. So is this the type of battery pack you are describing, maybe not powerful enough but at least the type of thing I should be looking at as an option:
http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-852-2000-XPower-Powerpack-Portable/dp/B000E6LEIC/ref=sr_1_5/104-2813657-5607148?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1178218617&sr=1-5
I do not understand though how long a portable 600W system like this could e.g. power a 400W light?
Here is a 1500W portable pack, maybe this is getting closer to what would be needed? Again, the key I guess is how long they can power a 400W lighting system (maybe a single 400W HDI light, etc?), or three 500W lights?
http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Technologies-Powerpack-500-Watt-802-1500/dp/B00005RHQQ/ref=pd_sim_hi_3/104-2813657-5607148?ie=UTF8&qid=1178218617&sr=1-5
quote:
Originally posted by Beowulf
So are movie generators made to be really quiet or something? I just can not help but think that gas powered generators would emit noise (unwanted) that the mic would pick up and record?
Yep! Gennys used on movie sets are very quiet. But even the best ones emit enough noise to affect recording so they are parked far away from the set.
I've never used any of the generators you link to so I can't comment from personal experience. I wonder how long that battery will run three 500w lamps at full power...
But they may be a great option for your needs. Since I work in the Los Angeles area renting a genny is more economical for me. I don't have the storage space and they are way too underpowered for what I need so I could never justify the $800 for the little gas genny and the little battery genny would never suit my power needs. Shooting an exterior I use considerably more wattage than that even on my $10,000 movies. One 2k and you're done. On a very small shoot I'll use a couple of 2k's, several 650's and a couple of Chinese lanterns when shooting night exteriors. That's WAY more than 2000w.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
quote:
Since I work in the Los Angeles area renting a genny is more economical for me. I don't have the storage space ...
I can likely do a lot with natural lighting, but outdoors it would be nice maybe to be able to use a fill light that is electrical, but I guess I could do without. You are lucky. I live in northern Minnesota (Duluth) which is not really movie-town at all (though some famous feature movies have been filmed here and nearby--Disney's "Iron Will"/Kevin Spacey, "North Country"/Charlize Theron, "The Good Son"/Macaulsy Caulkin just up the lake shoreline, etc)--some beautiful country up here, I figure to use it to my advantage for filming since it is what I have (maybe go south to Mnpls for filming too, the U of MN there has been used as a fake Harvard for several movies because of the nice campus scenery, e.g With Honors).
You can create fill lighting using a bounce board just out of frame.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
quote:
Originally posted by rjschwarz
You can create fill lighting using a bounce board just out of frame.
Well it sure will be a LOT cheaper and a LOT easier to haul a few white foamboards to a location rather than expensive and heavy lights and batteries/generators. ?8D?
And quieter.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
Whoops. I misread your post and offerd all kinds of advice you don't even need. For some reason I got into my head you were shooting night exteriors. I agree with rj - you don't need a genny and a bunch of lights shooting exterior day.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
quote:
Originally posted by certified instigator
Whoops. I misread your post and offerd all kinds of advice you don't even need. For some reason I got into my head you were shooting night exteriors. I agree with rj - you don't need a genny and a bunch of lights shooting exterior day.
Thank you, you guys helped me decide to save a huge chunk 'o change; more money for beer! ?:)?
