Cucalorus design

M

Matthew B

Well-known member
Looking at making up some cookies and wondered if anyone had any plans or designs for some interesting patterns/shapes.
 
While I have a couple of pre-made cookies I keep in the van, I also have made dozens of DIY cookies in different patterns using inexpensive foam core purchased from a local arts & crafts store, then cut the pattern with an X-Acto knife. As far as which patterns, you might have a look here for ideas.... http://www.lightbreak.com

Good Luck!

Dave
 
Id like to know where you can buy decent and cheap foam core in Australia. Used to have a heap of cookies in Japan, now have to make them up with other rubbish.
 
I make mine out of luan or very thin plywood. I then weld a pin to a plate for mounting on a c-stand. A cheap mig welder should be in every DIY shop.
 
hi noel,

i get mine from foamex. i think they have a outlet in queensland.

they will cut it to any size and thickness.

the last ones i got were 4 x 4 and 40 cm thick. worked out about 25 dollars each.

cheers
 
Art supply & craft stores sell sheets from A5 to A1. It's not a cheap way to buy it though and they charge a premium for black (up to $15 for A1). If I could find somewhere that was half the price I could be a lot more wasteful and not keep running out or thinking twice about whether I really need it. Jacksons and Riot are two places I've found some.
 
Last edited:
If someone has a few minutes, could you please school me in the proper use of a Cucalorus? I have done the noir venetian blind thing by throwing light through an actual venetian blind hung from an extension arm and have done the "Branchalorus" thing (Or what I heard William A. Fraker ASC call a "Dingleberry" in an ASC podcast on the shooting of "The Friends of Eddie Coyle") where you use a leafed tree branch in front of a light to break up a light, but have not really done much with pre-made cookies. What are some of the best practices you use? What about relative distance of the cookie to the light and the subject? I know that for sharper shadows the cookie would need to be repetitively closer to the subject and for more diffuse shadows it would need to be relatively closer to the light, but what have you found to be your best practice on this? In what instances do you decide to use a cookie?

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
This might amuse. I was on a job today and there was a wibbly glassed window that I poked my dedo through

Im defo gona get a bit of perspex and go at it with a blow torch..

_MG_0335.jpg
 
I know these are a bit pricey, but I think these are one of the best options out there. I've never liked the wood ones (too heavy and sharp edges) and the cello ones are also a bit annoying (old ones have more sharp edges without a very defined pattern).

http://www.gamonline.com/catalog/gamcookie/index.php

The gam cookie goes onto an open 4x4 frame and now you can have a really lightweight cookie that mixes in very well with all your other 4x stuff.

I'm picking one up soon, so I'll soon find out about any concerns of durability. I think I just really like the idea of finally not worrying that I have my cookie right next to my 4x nets anymore.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top