Lighting setup options for Arts Charity - a few opinons please!

J

JimmyC

Member
Hi folks,

Just wondered if I could have a few opinions on a lighting setup I am budgeting for at the moment. I work for a creative arts charity in the UK making short films with kids and and other aspiring actors.

We are about to get around £2500-£3000 ($4500-$5500) for a lighting setup which we can use on you short films and also hire out to other local organisations and firms to hopefully give some income and sustainability to the project.

Just to give you an idea of what we will be using it for: The last film we did was a film noire style (which was shot entirely with practicals!) but the next one could be anything, it really depends on where the kids go with the script. The kit will also be used for hire on corporate video interviews and product shots, as well as filmic style sermon illustration videos for a local church and small music videos - largely used indoors.

We are thinking of a KinoFlo Diva 400 and 3 head dedolight kit, with a few extras such as softbox, egg crates and gobos.

Another important consideration for us is health and safety - especially with kids around - so not too much heat - and using them on domestic power circuits. Along with low running costs too!

I suppose it is a big ask for the budget, but do you thing this would be a sensible and versatile choice?

Jim
 
I think everyone here who really knows about lights, would tell you that Dedo's are incredible. But I believe you may get more value for your money if you invested in an ARRI softbank IV kit. They can be ordered in either 120 volt -typical US needs-or 220 volt.
I think a Diva light would be a nice choice, and for the money you just saved getting the Arri lights, get a couple of C-stands, and since your around kids, I would get several sand bags as well, to help keep your lights from falling over.
Good luck...
Edit: If your REALLY concerned about heat, stay with more KINO's. You are not going to find any "Cool to the touch" fresnels....
 
Hi Jim,
Dedo's are great but expensive. and the Kino Flo's are awesome.
Why don't you try hiring a few defferent kits and having a play.
you at least have a descent budget to work with.


Ian

where are you in the UK??
 
Hi Ian!

We are in Glasgow. If we had time to hire that would be great, but we are in the position of having to submit a detailed quote in our budget within the next few days. We have secured funding from a local council body - we originally put hire costs in the budget but they will not fund running or hire costs and perfered that we buy (!). This does have the added benefit of us being able to hire out the kit for income for the project (somthing they seemed keen on) and also enable these assest to benefit other community projects we work with.

Do you guys think these options are a wise choice?

Do kino-flo (or anyone else for that matter) do anything cool running that has abit more direction or more of a 'hard' light?

Jim
 
Hi Jim,
I'm origanally from Edinburgh, but now in Manchester.

Kino Flo would be my choice for cool running, but you are right they are not directional.
and i think you may have difficulty sourcing LitePanels in the UK.
for more directional light i would look at Arri fresnels 650w ( http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=arri_junior_650 ),
also i use Satchler 300w Reporters ( http://www.videogear.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=142 )

good luck to you

ian
 
JimmyC said:
Hi Ian!

We are in Glasgow. If we had time to hire that would be great, but we are in the position of having to submit a detailed quote in our budget within the next few days. We have secured funding from a local council body - we originally put hire costs in the budget but they will not fund running or hire costs and perfered that we buy (!). This does have the added benefit of us being able to hire out the kit for income for the project (somthing they seemed keen on) and also enable these assest to benefit other community projects we work with.

Do you guys think these options are a wise choice?

Do kino-flo (or anyone else for that matter) do anything cool running that has abit more direction or more of a 'hard' light?

Jim
Click to expand...

Kino Flo is overpriced for what it is. HMI Fresnels are the way to go for "cool" energy efficient hard light.
 
That may be so - but HMIs seem incredibly expensive - and arent the running costs, such as bulbs, high too?

Jim
 
HMI bulbs are extremely expensive,
great light's but, for a charity organization, they are not cost effective.
also Miracom is right Kino's are pricey

there really is NO 1 lighting kit fit's all.
what i've got in my kit, might not be what you need,
a box with 3 identical light (800 red's, 650 arri's, 300 satchler's, 100 dedo's) will never be the best solution.

i would prefer one of each


ian
 
Yeah thats a fair point Ian, but i was considering the dedos for several reasons: The are robust, the bulbs are cheap, and, I know they do still do run fairly hot but they don't get as hot as redheads or other fresnels... I have heard some horror stories of explosing bulbs and flying molten glass... not risks I wanna take with kids - unless someone has had such experiences with dedos??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top