A Question for Walt Graff about "Po-Po" lights

sugahsean469

sugahsean469

Well-known member
Hey Walt,
I read some posts you posted on Cinematography.net about using real Police lights on top of a generic white car to fake the real thing. Very good, since, every law enforcement agent I asked to be in my film laughed in face. Put Police lights on top of a white car is the low/no budget way to go.

My question to you is this: Where specifically do I look to rent Police lights(in Northern CA). I can't find jacksh*t! I've found plenty o places on the web, but for purchase only(usually about a grand for the cheapest kinds-not in the budget, unfortunately). I am really desperate, as my shoot will take place in less than 2 weeks. Thanks.
 
BTW, I checked out the cheaper Whelen's you mentioned--still way too expensive to buy.($549.00 for the bare bone Delta model)
 
You know, me and my producer were actually joking about that; unfortunately, it was just joking. If this was a comedy we were doing--cheapo DJ lights in a heartbeat! The movie is a serious drama, and goofy lights would get laughs from the audience that I don't need. Where would be the first place to look to rent real police lights?
 
..you could get busted big time for impersonating a police officer with those on your veh. ...last time i checked its illegal to have those color lights on your veh .. whether or not you have them turned on. they are reserved for the police and emergency services. youd be better off paying to rent a security or police veh under the proper permits. unless your in a reclusive area and it doesnt matter anyway.
 
sugahsean469 said:
You know, me and my producer were actually joking about that; unfortunately, it was just joking. If this was a comedy we were doing--cheapo DJ lights in a heartbeat!
Click to expand...

Huh? Planning on close-ups of the lights? Unless you've got your heart set on brand-spanking-new ultra-modern aerodynamic lights, those would work just fine on a cop car.

Hell, I've seen worse on real cop cars.

It wasn't so long ago that I've seen the single bubble-gum machine setup on a cop car. (Out in the sticks, though)

Another possible source: auto junkyard. Even cop cars crash.

Dan
 
Thanks, y'all. Busted? The people who I've spoken to who did this usually rented the lights (in New Yawk), and no one really cared(and again, they did this and filmed their move in New Yawk--dont you get busted for filming on a tripod without permission in big cities?). Getting in trouble for putting on fake lights--oh, that would suck. Damn, dj lights here I come!:undecided
 
A true light bar is going to be hard to get without spending some cash. Possible low budget options:

1) Rent a security guard with car for the day. Offer screen credit to security company.

2) Prop rental. And beg for the no budget rate. This way you could get it for a week, although insurance certificate usually needed.

3) If you have time to find it, junkyard might be a good idea. Call all the junkyards and ask. Call police department and try to talk someone who runs their garage: what happens to their junk cars?

4) Purchase and return. Pay a restocking fee. Might not be an option with

5) Contact light bar manufacturer. Offer screen credit for free rental. A long shot but you never know--some product manager might enjoy helping you out.

5) Ebay. Contact the seller and offer to rent the item and return it. Pure profit for the seller and a private transaction is easier than dealing with a company/prop house. Or just buy and then re-sell it. A current auction to check out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39667&item=3965624140&rd=1

6) Write it out of the script in a creative way. The first rule of no budget is writing a no budget script--that means virtually no props, picture cars, costume rentals or location fees. Unfortunately, anything involving uniformed cops, and their cars, is pretty hard to make look good without a realistic budget for Art Dept.

I've done quite a bit of Art Dept work, and the reality is that most new producers and new directors don't appreciate how big and non-negotiable the costs on certain kinds of sets, costumes and props are if you want it to look right (to say nothing of aging, painting and texturing which require experienced labor). It's an understandable weakness because there is so much else for writer/director's and producers to deal with--but when it comes to the actual shooting, the Art Dept is often where the rubber hits the road in terms of the budget--unglamourous, expensive labor and actual props that have to be rented or bought, because no one has much incentive to give you much--(unlike renting camera and lighting where great deals are sometimes very possible). If you have to go cheap, it will probably look cheap.

Using lighting, focus and night/fog to hide as much as possible might be a very good strategy. Check out the last few minutes of LA Confidential to see how they suggested the arrival of the squad cars with sound and lights--and then only showed the cars and lights in silhouette as they came over the hill. Storyboard and structure/block your shots so that you never have a full frontal on the car, but just suggest with sound and a flashing light.

Trying to make a med-high budget script on a low-no budget is a good way to drive yourself insane and/or bankrupt--and leave everybody who works on the movie feeling burned, stressed, pissed and cursing your reputation for years to come. A word to the wise: be smart and make sure your budget and script are in accord with eachother.

Good luck.
 
Goto a prop rental house in SF.

Should be $100-$200/day.

Rent one for the closeups and use the $14 Fry's dj lights for cars in the background.

-J
 
"Trying to make a med-high budget script on a low-no budget is a good way to drive yourself insane and/or bankrupt--and leave everybody who works on the movie feeling burned, stressed, pissed and cursing your reputation for years to come. A word to the wise: be smart and make sure your budget and script are in accord with eachother.
"

This statement should be put at the top of this website. Well said!
 
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