flashing lights used behind all band-playing shots

[getyoursnackon]

what are the lights called that are used in about every shot in any music video showing a band playing in some large room (yellow grid lights that flash to the beat or something, and are always placed behind the band)

heres an example:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS0ecdawM4U (lights at the top of the room that are yellow/goldish)

also what are some good cheaper lights to get similar frontal lighting like they use in that video? (I think they used HMI lights, but I can't afford those for obvious reasons)

 

[ilauzirika]

Those lights look like blinders, they are usually used in concerts for a blinding effects, and nearly always point to the audience.
the light is just a kind of cluster of par bulbs, like the ones that are used in film lighting (like this)

 

[Wilson]

They are either Mole-Richardson mini-brutes (aka FAY lights) or maxi-brutes. They are fixtures that combine multiple par bulbs into one fixture. Most common are the 9 light Maxi models. The bulbs can either be wide, med, or spot, or mixed, in design. Very great units for throw, such as in videos and ext.night scenes or sunlight through windows.

Maxi-Brute = Molepar = PAR 64 = 1000W / lamp
Mini-Brute =Molefay = PAR 36 = 650W / lamp

They are tough on generators when many are used together, in applications such as that video where they are dimmed quickly from a dimmer board. Generally we get larger generators that can handle such surges, or use more than one.

Good Luck!
-Wilson

 

[Postmaster]

I never get it, why it seems to be cool to "blind" the audience.

hmmm... I´m probably too old for that kind a amusement.

Frank

 

[ProfessorU]

The coolest part is when they fill the area with smoke. The streaks from backlighting the subject always look good.

If you keep the area small, you can create that effect without a monstrous amount of wattage.

 

[Postmaster]

O.K. I am too old ;-)