Filter Holders

taubkin

taubkin

Veteran
When I was learning about lighting, I learned to clip my gels and difusion to the barndoors via the regularly used clothespins, or "C-47"s. That is probably the standard way to do this, since I've seen lots of big buck productions doing it.

Then I saw some fixtures that came with filter frames, wich I could mount like a scrim. That is incredibly practical, since I no loger need a big sheet of gel for each light, and so I can use small pieces of it and with one sheet get as many lights as I'd like (call me cheap). I also don't have to carry the full sheets, I can carry in pieces.

Unfortunately, when I use the frames, the gels melt. I just don't understand why every light offers this suggestion, if it's bot going to work. Why bother with filter frames if the gels are going to melt anyway?
 
Re: Filter Holders

Are you not using Lee gels? If not and you are using some off brand or many of the Roscoe gels, you could have problems. ANd you should not be spotting your light into these gels but have it set at wide. Also these frames are not the greatest invention and the reality is the bigger gel clipped to the light offers the ability for the light to breath more and the gel to survive longer. We pros don't use those little frames and for exactly the reason you stated.
 
Re: Filter Holders

There is a heat shield gel, but I haven't used it much, so I can't honestly say it works. I'd imagine that even if you did use heat shield between the light and your gel, you'd still have some color shifting after a few uses.

The light-mounted gel frame is really a product of theater lighting, where you can't clip a gel to a barn door, as most theater instruments don't have barn doors. The gels shift color and melt regularly, requiring maintainance for a running show...but using a slide in filter holder means less chance of changing the lighting design...you just swap out an older filter for the newer one and the lighting doesn't change.

But also, theater lighting often doesn't require an extended burn from the lamp. There are a lot of changes, and beyond the regularly requested "amber" gels...most theater lighting requiring a gel is a "special" and isn't used as long as a light in film production would be.

Either way, the truth is that gels are included in the "expendable" catagory for a reason. They're never going to last, so you've gotta just plan on regular replacements to your inventory.
 
Re: Filter Holders

Yeah, that's what I thought. At least it's always nice to go to the local cine store and check the new gear. Besides, I always manage to find excellent colors of party gels in the bargain bin...
 
Re: Filter Holders

Speaking of bargin bin gels...

What's funny is that every place I've ever worked, temped, freelanced or visited...there was a roll of between 1/8 to 1/2 plus green that I ended up throwing in the garbage. It's uncanny...everyone buys a roll of it, and no one ever seems to need it.
 
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