Sissy Light?

Alex DePew

Alex DePew

Señor Schmarty Pants
So in order to learn more about productions bigger than ones I can put on but smaller than a fully funded feature, I volunteered on a shoot for theonion.com. I learned a good amount but came away with a couple question. I helped out a little with the gaffing and since I didn't know anything about the lights beyond my small kit I had to ask for explanations of what they wanted and which light they were referring to when they said it's name.

They had me change the focus on a 'sissy light' (?) It is a long light with the ability to move the edges of the lights on four sides. I'm pretty sure I've seen these lights on stages before. Are they called sissy lights? I did a search and didn't come up with anything related.

Also, they threw so many names and phrases my way (and I'm sure there are tons more that I will learn) that I don't remember what a mole zip light is from a open face with diffusion.

I want to learn the terminology and what these lights do before I go to my next job along these lines. What suggestions do you have to learn these terms? Any books or links you have would be great. I am planning on getting Lighting for Digital Video & Television from amazon next.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578202515/002-1020618-7246460?n=283155

Thanks,
Alex
 
Thanks, knowing the lingo is key, I just ordered it. That should help a lot. I just learned that a c47 in film is a clothespin to the rest of the world. And after a little research also found out that it is the code for a four knights opening in chess.
 
BTW, I've never heard that refered to as a "sissy" light, must be an east coast thing... I'm assuming it's an elipsoidal (aka source4, aka gobo)?
 
MalcolmOng said:
Unfortunately i have a rough inkling of waht that means...:zombie_smiley:
So much for 'family forum':nads:
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I'm wondering what your "rough inkling" is :)

Incidently, Mr. Box's book is an excellent resource. The author's unexpected name is a bonus though.
 
Thanks for the replies. I will definitely check out those books. Also, the guy who called them sissy lights said that they were named after the company which produced them. The lights didn't have any branding on them that I could see so I'm not sure. But they are indeed ellipsodial lights, good work J. That is what I shall call them from now on. Just sounds better. Plus why use the term sissy light if the lighting masters here haven't hear the name. Ellipsodial it is. See ya learn something new every day.

Thanks guys,
Alex

http://www.indianaelectricalsales.com/dimming/ellipsoidals/360Q6x9.htm
 
"Cinematography" and "Film lighting" by Chris Malkiewicz will go through all the lights for ya. Both at amazon.
 
yup, i'm originally a new yorker, but came out to the bay area for better work opportunities. (less competition from film school kids who will work for cheap.)
 
NewYorkLion said:
yup, i'm originally a new yorker, but came out to the bay area for better work opportunities. (less competition from film school kids who will work for cheap.)
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I would'a gotta away with it if it too, if weren't for those blasted film school kids!
scooby_dooC3124.jpg


Hey, aren't there even more film school kids out there? I might make the move eventually to the left coast, but I love NY and want to see if I can make it here. How are you doing now that you moved? Hope things are better. Good luck my ex-east coast friend.

Alex
 
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Hey. I'm a film school kid. What's wrong with film school kids? Are you calling me a Mexican? Are you implying there's something wrong with Mexicans? 'Cause I'm very proud of my heritage.

Also, while I enjoy being surrounded my like-minded freaks who can and will talk for hours about film and filmmaking (like me) I must confess that sometimes I don't leap from my mattress, estatic to greet another day at film school. Just once in a while, you understand, maybe on certain dates...Friday the 13th, 9/11, Black Tuesday, that kind of thing. Or was it Black Friday? Bloody Sunday!
 
HappyGobo said:
Hey. I'm a film school kid. What's wrong with film school kids? Are you calling me a Mexican? Are you implying there's something wrong with Mexicans? 'Cause I'm very proud of my heritage.

Also, while I enjoy being surrounded my like-minded freaks who can and will talk for hours about film and filmmaking (like me) I must confess that sometimes I don't leap from my mattress, estatic to greet another day at film school. Just once in a while, you understand, maybe on certain dates...Friday the 13th, 9/11, Black Tuesday, that kind of thing. Or was it Black Friday? Bloody Sunday!
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A) What isn't wrong with film school kids?:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) Seriously though, film school must rock and I wish I could afford to go, but I don't want to incur debt and deplete my savings. So I'm putting myself through my homeade film school. The DVD will be out in two years.:thumbsup:

B) Nothing wrong with Mexicans. I love you guys. Especially the boxers you produce. Julio Cesar Chavez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and many others. Entertainment galore.

C) Stay in school. And don't sell yourself out for peanuts. If you have skill and especially if you have skill and equipment earn some real money.
 
I'll be honest, by the time I was done composing that post I felt like it was too ridiculous to put up, but also too ridiculous to delete. Seemed funny at the time. Guess which I picked. But it's not too late to delete.

Alex DePew said:
If you have skill and especially if you have skill and equipment earn some real money.
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Believe me, I'm working on it. It's agonizing having to pass on jobs because I've got to go to class, but I can create my own if I make the right investment.
 
oh, there's nothing 'wrong' with film school kids, it's just the sheer amount of them, AND other low to mid-level shooters in NY. I mean, there's gotta be 15 film schools in NY, while there are only really 2 in SF i think. also, there are millions and millions of people in NY, while in SF there is less than a million, so in a smaller market it's easier to make your way up. Basically, by moving here, I quintupled my income within a year. I figure I'll hang out here unill I am cool enough to move back to NY or go to LA and have tons of work lined up.

-C
 
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