BLOG QUESTION ADV: BLACKWRAP

1. What is blackwrap? What does it do?

2. What are 4 crafty ways you can use it on set that are mentioned in this video?

Blackwrap is essentially a type of aluminum foil with a matte black finish. It's reusable and is used to block light, similar to a flag. Thanks to its heat resistance, it can be wrapped around a light or camera to prevent spill/lens flare. It can also be used similar to a cookie and it can be added onto a light fixture to shape light (AKA a snoot). It can also be used as a form of weatherproofing (Not to be mistaken for waterproof), when used outside.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: GRIPS ON THE GRIP DEPARTMENT

What are three key things you've learned by learning a bit more about the grip department?

Three key things that I learned from these videos include: Grips have to be very adaptable and good problem solvers. To be a grip, you need extensive knowledge on the tools that are required on film set. Not only that, but you need to know how to utilize those tools depending on the situation you need them for. There's no set way to do something, so knowing what options are at your disposal will help you save a lot of time on set. I also learned that the grip department communicates heavily with the Director of Photography to coordinate the technicalities of different shots (what needs to be set up). They're also responsible for the safety on set and making sure everything is set up correctly.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: BASIC GRIP GEAR

Your gaffer has tasked you with packing up a grip package for your current film noir shoot. Create a comprehensive list of all of the gear that you would need for your grip package. Be detailed! Use the jargon and terminology that you have learned so far. You should easily have over 10-20 items.

- Baby Pin + Floor mount: This will allow you to set up lights closer to the ground

- Power strip: Allows you to have extra outlets to plug your lights in/

- Light Dimmer: Useful if your light can be dimmed with one of these.

- Different clamps: Pony clamps, C47's, helps hold diffusion, curtains, clothing, gels, etc. 

- Black Wrap: Helps block spill from lights, can be used to waterproof fixtures that are outside, as a heat shield.

- Stingers: Allows you to move your lights flexibly

- Gobo Head: Used for C-stands/Gobo Arms, can hold different shafts which are used for gaffing.

- Mafer Clamps: Can be attached to lighting or c-stands, can come with a baby pin allowing you to hand fixtures or gobo heads.

Other items you can bring that the speaker doesn't discuss in the video include: Gaf tape, tri-taps, reflectors, diffusers, cookies, gels. If you're light also takes batteries, bringing batteries that match with it (NPF, V-mounts) can help you in case there's no power source to connect to. 

BLOG QUESTION ADV: USING FLAGS ON SET

1. What is the purpose of flags? How can they be used to shape light?

2. What are cookies? How do they affect the image?
3. How can you combine these instruments to shape your light?

Flags are used to cut off any spill from lights, either in your environment or on your subject. They can also be used as a negative fill to cut some light that is bouncing onto a subject's face. They can be used to shape light by bringing more contrast to your image. Cookies are boards that are shaped in certain ways to give shadows a more interesting shape. Common kinds of cookies include a "window shutter" or "tree branch". They affect an image by breaking up the light. You can combine these instruments to create a more interesting shot, and to bring more attention to your subject/backgrounds.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

What are the four techniques you have available to you when trying to improve your lighting at noon? How do each of these four techniques affect your image?

The four techniques that you have available when lighting at noon are to reflect a light, diffuse it, supplement it, or to control the location you're shooting in (But usually, a combination of all of these 4 are required). You can reflect the sun using reflectors, whiteboards, or the location itself. By redirecting the light to a better angle, you can reduce the contrast on your subject's face. You can bounce light onto the other side of your subject to reduce the harshness of any shadows. Even a reflective or bright wall/ground can help redirect this light. You can also set up a diffuser above your subject to soften the light hitting them. A downside to this is that you have to change your iris to properly expose your subject, which might cause your background to become overexposed. You can combine these tools to prevent you from having to change the iris by adding a bit more light to your subject. The best solution to prevent you from having too many setups is to choose a location that will prevent this from being a problem, a place where both the background and subject are being shaded allows for more lighting flexibility.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: ARRI FRESNEL KIT

What are the differences between an Arri fresnel tungsten kit and the led lights you've learned about so far? What are some interesting features of them?

Tungsten lights get very hot. Always wear gloves and make sure it's cooled down before handling. Don't touch the surface of the globe, as oils on your fingers create hotspots on the globe, which can cause it to break. (You can clean gloves using isopropyl alcohol). You also want to make sure the lights are turned off before moving them to preserve the life of your globe. A mesh cage in front of the light prevents any glass from exploding in case something does happen to the bulb during a shoot. When you dim a tungsten light, the lower your color temperature becomes, causing your image to become warmer. If you want to prevent this color temperature change, you can use scrims which attach to your barn doors on the light. These will reduce your light's output by a certain number of stops, and you can stack them onto each other. You can also get half scrims to cut or reduce light on particular spots of your shots. You can also use Gels (ND or diffusion) to reduce the output or soften the light. If you want to mix your tungsten lights with LEDs, you can use color correction gels (CTB).

BLOG QUESTION ADV: LUXLI TIMPANI 1X1

What are the three key features of the Luxli Timpani? How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

The Luxli Timpani comes with RGB and AW controls, allowing for color flexibility. It has many controller options, and a clear LCD screen. Even if it isn't being used for its RGB features, it's color temperature scale ranges from 2800 to 10,0000k. You can adjust the hue on a color wheel on the LCD Screen, and you can also sample colors from an existing image using the IOS/Android app. The light comes with effects that you can adjust (timing, color temp), and as well as gel presets. You can power this light with a 4 pin XLR input, or by attaching a v-mount to the battery mount in the back. This light is best used for indoor lighting in tight spaces, since It's not weatherproof.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: KINO FLO DIVA LITE

What are the three key features of the Kino Flo Diva Lite? How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

Some key features of the Kino Flo Diva Lite include: There are different modes that allow you to change the hue, saturation, dimness, color temperature, green/magenta tint, gel, effects, and save presets on this light. This light is also small and lightweight, making it ideal for location lighting. This light requires a lot of power, so if you want to run the light off of batteries, you will need to get an optional accessory to attach to v-loc batteries. Unlike other brands, Kino tries to give all the lights they offer the same functions, but in a variety of sizes/styles depending on where and what you want to shoot.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: APUTURE MT PRO

What are the three key features of the Aputure MT Pro? How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

One key feature about the MT Pro is that it has magnets, allowing you to attach to a lot of different services, providing flexibility. This is helpful if you're trying to hang it from overhead, t give the appearance of a tube light. It also comes in a portable case, that has a grid and mini tripod. It is also pretty bright for its size, equivalent to a 2 ft. Amaran tube light. What makes this light different from other lights, is it's small size and decent output. It's size allows it to be used in tight spaces and be used as a practical, and it's output allows for a lot of flexibility in the brightness. 

BLOG QUESTION ADV: APUTURE P60C

What are the three key features of the Aputure P60c? How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

Some features of the Aputure P60c include the control panel on the back allows you to control the color temperature ranges from 2500k-7500k, you can control the green and magenta shift, and you can control the hue, saturation, intensity, and use effects, gel modes, or presets. Another feature of this are the softboxes that go with this light that are easily attachable with elastics on the back. The light itself is lightweight, allowing you to set the up on lighter light stands to save space. Unlike other lights, this light is actually pretty affordable for beginners who are looking for an all-around light that provides effects and battery powered flexibility.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: APUTURE NOVA 300C

What are the three key features of the Aputure Nova 300c? How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

Some key features of the Aputure Nova 300c include a detachable control panel that you can attach to the back of the light or onto a lighting stand with the provided clamp. The light also comes with an accessory slot allowing you to attach soft-boxes and other modifiers. The light controller comes with a variety of different settings that allow you to control the fan and lighting frequencies, color temperature, intensity, use effects, and make presets. This light is one of the most advanced lights from the Aputure brand, and it's pretty affordable compared to the other competing lights, especially for all the features it comes with.