Moving lights that are struck

S

slondon

Well-known member
What is the industry practice on moving lights that are on? Filaments are much more fragile when burning and I'm nervous about knocking one out on a $20 or $50 globe so when I haul my lights to a shoot I tell everyone the light has to be off before you can move it.

That works semi-well but often the light has to be on when you move it to see the effect. And DPs, directors and camera operators always think they can move the lights even if I've threatened everyone :Drogar-Happy(DBG):

I'm talking my set of tungsten 125W, 250W, 400W, 500W, 650W and 1000W broads, floods, spots and fresnels.

Is there an industry standard practice on moving tungsten lights that are up? What do you do? Have any experience burning lamps out from moving them?

Thanks for the expertise.

Oh, and as an aside, how many gaffers say "striking" or "flashing" when heating up a lamp and is anything said when turning them off?
 
I move lights all the time when on and have never had a problem. Just do it carefully and it shouldn't be an issue. If you slam them around, whether they're on or not, you're asking for problems.
 
I've gotten a stern scolding from a DP for not minding my "flashing" and "crossing". I think it's still standard practice and I ask for it on my sets.

If I avoid moving lights it's because they're hot, not because they are more fragile. On ungrounded kits or older buildings, it's usually smart to not move a live fixture. I've gotten my fair share of zaps, and people are more expensive than lamps. :)
 
I have moved several lamps while hot. But before I do, I always check that I have enough head cable or stinger to move it where I'm going, that the cords will not touch anything, trip anyone, move a set piece, or kill the craft service people. Then, depending on what kind of fixture,the height,weight.. etc ,I will lift , shove , drag or roll the light very slowly.
If I'm not the gaffer, and acting as best boy, I ask "Permission " to strike the lamp, or fire, or light-, or ignite...depending on their choice of words. And wait for confirmation. At lunch break or wrap, or when moving on to a new setup, you often hear "Let's save the lamps or lights". Time to go dark..
Your thoughts SLONDON??
I also turn the light's lens or face away from people when I strike it, then rotate or tilt the light where needed.
 
Small tungsten fixtures in a smaller space set up for interview etc. Pick em up and go. HMI's never, I always turn them off and restrike when they are moved. Fluro lights? Well if its 3-5 feet then no. If its a new set up then unplug and move.

I did a shoot last Sunday - a music vid I dped (Id like to confirm this) but from memory I did 48 set ups. We were using fluros and HMIs of varying sizes. We were powering on and off all day - pain in the arse.

On a side note in one shot I set an HMI which I needed to flag , but as I went for the grip gear someone walked under the light giving me what I wanted I said STOP, set the camera, director called action and saved maybe 5 mins.
 
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