Aputure 1200X - Announced

For combos, I've almost entirely switched over to Matthews Runway bases with Junior risers. The Runway base is about 20lbs, but you can fit it in a Pelican 1510 if it helps for stacking on a cart. Also, it is low profile and rock solid.
Hardcore. Looks like you only have 8' maximum height with that combination?
 
It's a network with a rate card and we kind of went from there, taking into account what we needed to provide and the volume of guaranteed work for this show and the work that we do for them throughout the rest of the year. The lighting package is kind of split among the three of us providing the camera packages. Their standard rate card/package requires that each camera package include two HMI's or equivalents. The portion of the lighting package that I'm currently providing actually costs less than one of my single HMI's that I used to use/provide.

Comparing it to the rates of the past, our current rates are higher, but the lighting that we are providing actually costs us less, so we are actually able to provide more lighting and still make more money. So to answer your question directly, no I won't be up-charging them/billing them extra for the new lights once they get put into the package. Their relative cost is very low and they will allow us to do better work that continues to help keep us separated from the competition. Even going ahead and adding their cost into what we are already providing, the total cost of all of our lights will still be less than what it would have been to buy two HMI's 10-15 years ago.
 
It's a network with a rate card and we kind of went from there, taking into account what we needed to provide and the volume of guaranteed work for this show and the work that we do for them throughout the rest of the year. The lighting package is kind of split among the three of us providing the camera packages. Their standard rate card/package requires that each camera package include two HMI's or equivalents. The portion of the lighting package that I'm currently providing actually costs less than one of my single HMI's that I used to use/provide.

Comparing it to the rates of the past, our current rates are higher, but the lighting that we are providing actually costs us less, so we are actually able to provide more lighting and still make more money. So to answer your question directly, no I won't be up-charging them/billing them extra for the new lights once they get put into the package. Their relative cost is very low and they will allow us to do better work that continues to help keep us separated from the competition. Even going ahead and adding their cost into what we are already providing, the total cost of all of our lights will still be less than what it would have been to buy two HMI's 10-15 years ago.
Thanks for the info. And the 3 of you are lone wolves contracting independently? Or you work together as a production company? Just curious.
 
Thanks for the hot tip! I was worried less about maneuvering the unit around set than just loading in, really. Usually I park in a garage and then wheel my cart and possibly a second rolling bag into location.

This stand, however, is only 10 lbs: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1046657-REG/matthews_b366167_combo_aluminum_stand.html/specs

The only problem is it only has a 25lb payload. Well, the fixture is only 21lbs. But once you think about modifiers, it's a dodgy proposition... Food for thought...

I'm not a huge fan of rolling stands if I can avoid them. Sometimes they're useful and sometimes they're annoying. Plus the added weight and bulk. I'm probably in the minority on that. Maybe I'm being too precious about adding weight/bulk...
This one has arguably a less annoying footprint when packed up than a c-stand https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600652-REG/Avenger_A1045B_A1045B_Aluminum_Combo_Stand.html

Goes to 14.8', 66lb capacity, weighs 15lb, pretty easy to strap to a cart or go in a stand rack. There's a "35" version (can see next size down on B&H link) too.

I've got 2 of the 45s and am a big fan. They get used wherever possible over steel combo stands.
 
Thanks for the info. And the 3 of you are lone wolves contracting independently? Or you work together as a production company? Just curious.
We are all technically independent of each other, but we have been working together for decades. I've known them and been working with them for 28 and 21 years, respectively. For this particular client, we're kind of a package deal, but we're still our own entities/companies. We have a tight knit group of around seven or so of us and we're kinda like family.
 
We are all technically independent of each other, but we have been working together for decades. I've known them and been working with them for 28 and 21 years, respectively. For this particular client, we're kind of a package deal, but we're still our own entities/companies. We have a tight knit group of around seven or so of us and we're kinda like family.
sounds pretty idyllic!
 
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