Helium balloons negative spill ceiling

L

lambert

Well-known member
Saw an article on uses of source fours (which I love, picked up one for seven bucks at auction in town), anyway it mentioned a dp using black balloons inside black plastic like a giant tube to keep light from spilling int the walls. Assuming overhead bounce from source four. Advantage is less grip, no c stands and three sides of clear shooting. Is this technique becoming common? FYI the shoot the article referenced was in Memphis.
 
The last time I used an Airstar balloon on a shoot the cost of the helium was $100 if I remember correctly.

Just something to think about.
 
Cost is always a factor with expendable s, flight time can be extended sometimes weeks with certain additives and higher quality balloons which might make it more practical. David was it a good experience outside of cost?
 
lambert said:
Saw an article on uses of source fours (which I love, picked up one for seven bucks at auction in town), anyway it mentioned a dp using black balloons inside black plastic like a giant tube to keep light from spilling int the walls. Assuming overhead bounce from source four. Advantage is less grip, no c stands and three sides of clear shooting. Is this technique becoming common? FYI the shoot the article referenced was in Memphis.
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I've seen Helium balloon light sources used on big shows and features I have shot on but have never seen them used for negative fill. Interesting concept. Maybe eventually we'll have drone controlled flags, diffusion, negative fill as soon as they figure out how to make drone motors silent? ;-)
 
Sounds a little convoluted. Flying a balloon light comes with the cost of helium and the complication of tying it off and hiding the lines in the shot, at that point it would be so much better to have it be the light source (and they come with black skirts to cut the light) versus using one as a bounce. I guess it depends on the height and style of the ceiling, but if you have the ability to reach it via ladder or scissor lift you can make a skirt out of ultralight black material and tape it to the ceiling and save the hassle of the balloon. I'm trying to remember what the material is we use for this sort of thing--if someone really wants to know I can ask my key grip.
 
Source four leko tips and tricks. Pro video coalition. Apologies having trouble linking article.
 
Matthew jeppsen is the author. A couple of photos showing what they are calling wag bags. Again apologies on not linking it
 
Looks interesting, but then again, how often would you NEED to do this?
There is usually always an alternative method you can pull off thats easier and/or cheaper.
 
DDirector said:
Looks interesting, but then again, how often would you NEED to do this?
There is usually always an alternative method you can pull off thats easier and/or cheaper.
Click to expand...

Except when there isn’t.

For most of us, something like this would rarely come into play. In the article linked and the example given in it, it was genius and the best solution for the problem. The helium was the most expensive part.
 
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