Cucoloris, Nets, and Solids

What are the differences between a Cucoloris, a net, and a solid?  What are 2 different uses for them on set?  If you had to ask someone to go grab a net or a flag out of the cart, how would you describe the difference to them?

    The differences between a Cucoloris, net, and solid are . A cucoloris, or cookie, is used to break up the light in order to create interesting shadows on the subject, such as window blinds, leaves, etc. Nets decrease the exposure of the light, with green being a single (1/2 stop), red being a double (1 stop), and blue being a triple (1 1/2 stops). Solids, or flags, cut out light entirely and are primarily used to eliminate spill. Two different uses for these pieces of equipment on set are to create interesting shadows and control the output of lights. If I had to ask someone to grab a net out of the cart, I would describe it as a rectangle with either a green, red, or blue frame on three sides and a net. If I were to ask someone to get a flag, I would describe it as a stiff black cloth rectangle.

Clamps

What are the differences between a cardellini and mafer clamp?  What are 2 different uses for them on set?  If you had to ask someone to go grab a cardellini clamp out of a box, how would you describe it to them?

    The differences between a cardellini and a mafer clamp are that mafer clamps don't close fully and are stronger. Two different uses for them on set are using a cardellini to clamp onto a flat surface and a mafer to clamp onto round or rough surfaces. If I needed to describe a cardellini clamp to someone, I would describe it as a clamp with a shaft that has a 4-way knob that can spin on it.

Lens Filters

What is a soft filter?  What does it do to your image? What do polarizers do?  What does it do to your image? What are neutral density filters?  How are graduated filters different?

    A soft filter is one that affects the sharpness of the image. What it does is soften hard lines, so that the image is still in focus but also has a softer quality to it. Polarizers are meant to reduce glare or reflections. It also is able to create somewhat truer colors because of the removed reflections. Neutral density, or ND, filters are intended to cut down the amount of light that goes into your camera. An ND filter is important in order to properly expose outdoor shots without having to sacrifice your depth of field by changing the aperture. Graduated filters are different from ND filters because they only affect a part of the image, typically the top. This allows you to properly expose your subject but also bring down the exposure of the sky in order to get some detail back into the image.

Grip vs. Electrical Department

What are 3 key differences between the grip and electrical department on set?  What is one thing from this video that adds to your understanding of what the grip department does?

    Three key differences between the grip and electrical department on set are their responsibilities, which is dependent on whether electricity, movement, and rigging is involved. Where the electric department is in charge of all things electricity, such as cables, generators, etc., the grip is in charge of more of the mechanical aspect, such as shaping the light. One responsibility of the grip department that the electric doesn't do is aiding the camera department with movement. Grips are often the people in charge of executing a camera movement such as a dolly, trucking, etc. Another difference between the departments is whether rigging is involved. Grips are who is responsibly for setting a lot of things up; if there is structures or equipment that is needed to be set up, it's often a grip's job to do so. One thing from the video which adds to my understanding of what the grip department does is that they mirror the electric department hierarchically.

What a Key Grip does on Set

What are the key responsibilities of a Key Grip on set?  How do they interact with the camera and lighting team?

    The key responsibilities of a Key Grip on set is to . They interact with the camera and lighting team as .

Blackwrap

What is blackwrap?  What does it do? What are 4 crafty ways you can use it on set that are mentioned in this video?

    Blackwrap (or cinefoil) is essentially a matte black aluminum foil. It's primary purpose is to block light. Four ways that you can use blackwrap on set are (1) to flag, (2) eliminate lens flares, (3) create shapes, and (4) make cookies. You can fold blackwrap into a square or rectangle and clip it on to a light in order to use as a flag that eliminates spill. You can use it to eliminate lens flares by either blackwrapping the light or the camera, so that it acts like a lens hood. Another use of blackwrap is to create interesting shapes, such as curving it around a light to create a "snoot" which creates a round gradient of light. Blackwrap can also work as a DIY cookie by cutting out the shapes that you want into it then placing it in front of a light.

Grips on the Grip Department

What are three key things you've learned by learning a bit more about the grip department?

    Three key things I've learned about from these videos are that grips are problem solvers, they're responsible for shaping and controlling light, and the collaboration required. A major aspect of being a grip is thinking up ways to achieve the shot that the DoP wants. This could be through specialized equipment or creating a lighting setup or gag using the tools available in some seemingly unconventional ways. The key responsibility of the grip department is to shape and control lights in order to create a desired look. They are pivotal for setting up the lights as well as ensuring that everything is safely set up. The collaboration is incredibly important for the grip department as they are a team with a lot of moving parts. They work with the DoP and with each other in order to efficiently set up the different shots.

Basic Grip Gear

Your gaffer has tasked you with packing up a grip package for your current film noir shoot.  Create a comprehensive list of all of the gear that you would need for your grip package.  Be detailed!  Use the jargon and terminology that you have learned so far.  You should easily have over 10-20 items.

1. A baby pin, which can mount things onto a variety of surfaces.
2. A basic power strip so that you can run multiple fixtures from one outlet.
3. A light dimmer in order to control the output of the light.
4. Standard pony (or A) clamps which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as holding curtains, diffusion, etc.
5. Standard clothespins (or C-47s), which is incredibly useful in a multitude of situations.
6. Blackwrap, which is essentially expensive black aluminum foil.
7. Stingers (extension cords), which are important in order to run power to your lights without being limited by the locations of outlets.
8. Gobo heads, which attach to gobo arms or c-stands.
9. Mayfer clamps, akin to gobo heads but not typically attached to c-stands, can clamp onto a variety of things, including round surfaces or the lip of something.
10. A location lighting kit, which should include:
1. Portable lights
2. Lightweight stands
3. Accessories such as softboxes or grids
11. Lighting stands and c-stands are a necessity, especially if none are included within a kit.
12. Diffusion cloths in order to soften different lights.
13. Gels, which include gels that alter color, ND gels to lower the intensity, diffusion gels to soften the lights, etc.
14. Flags in order to block out and shape the light.
15. Cookies, which create specific shadows such as blinds.
16. Multiple batteries and backups in order to power lights if an outlet is not a viable way of providing power.
17. A variety of types of lights in order to have the ability to use them for different looks and their different benefits.

Using Flags on Set

What is the purpose of flags?  How can they be used to shape light? What are cookies?  How do they affect the image? How can you combine these instruments to shape your light?

    The purpose of flags are to eliminate unwanted spill and direct the light. They can be used to shape light by blocking out reflections as negative fill, removing spill that would be on the background or subject, or more dramatically to change the shape of the light, which can alter the focus of the image. Cookies are some kind of form which cuts the light in a particular way, typically in horizontal stripes in order to create shadows that look like window blinds. They affect the image by creating unique shadows that make the light appear as though it is passing through a window with blinds, or some other kind of element that can create shadows. I could combine these instruments to shape light by using a cookie to introduce the pattern to the shadow, then using flags to eliminate any spill and have the light only go where I want it to.

Outdoor Lighting

What are the four techniques you have available to you when trying to improve your lighting at noon?  How do each of these four techniques affect your image?

    Four techniques that I have available to me when trying to improve my outdoor lighting at noon are (1) reflect it, (2) diffuse it, (3) supplement it, and (4) control the location.

    Reflectors allow you to redirect some sunlight into areas that you want it to illuminate and reduce most of the harsh shadows. This eliminates the worst shadows, but only for one side; however, using a white bounce board can solve the other side. This fully lights the face, but still varies in the intensity so that there is still depth in the image.

    The second technique is to use a diffusor, which can dramatically soften the light, reducing the harshness of the shadows. A downside to using this techniques is that you have to expose the image based on the subject, which is now darker than the background, which could lead to an overexposed background. One way to resolve the issue of the background is to add a net behind the subject. Another way is to combine reflectors and a diffusor in order to bring back more light onto the subject and reduce the contrast between the subject and background.

    Supplementing the light is introducing another light source in order to eliminate the harsh shadows. The issue with this technique is that it requires a powerful light in order to combat the sun. Personally, I feel that using one of the other techniques would be easier and more effective than trying to match the sun's strength with a light.

    The fourth and cheapest technique that requires no additional equipment is to control the location. Ideally, you should look for a location where the subject and background is entirely in shade. If you want there to be light on the face, having one side open to sunlight and the other shaded by something such as a building can create an aesthetically pleasing look. Once again, you could combine previous techniques in order to get the desired look you want.

Arri Fresnel Kit

What are the differences between an Arri fresnel tungsten kit and the led lights you've learned about so far?  What are some interesting features of them?

    The differences between an Arri fresnel tungsten kit and the LED lights that I've learned about so far are . Some interesting features of an Arri fresnel kit are .

Luxli Timpani 1x1

What are the three key features of the Luxli Timpani?  How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

    Three key features of the Luxli Timpani are the controller, the variety of modes, and the passive cooling. The controller is very intuitive and displays a lot of user friendly graphics. You are also able to control settings on the mobile app, which also allows for color picking. This light offers a variety of different modes and presets with the manual adjustable color spectrum as well as the preset gels. It also has the standard color temperature mode as well. The passive cooling means that there is no fan that cools the light when it gets hot, therefore theres no concern over the sound of the fan being in any takes. They are different from previous lights that I've written about because it is a 1x1 form LED light, the previous lights have all taken on different shapes. Additionally, the screen utilizes more graphics and visual indicators of different settings, which isn't typical on other lights.

Kino Flo Diva Lite

What are the three key features of the Kino Flo Diva Lite?  How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

    Three key features of the Kino Flo Diva Lite are the screen, the buttons, and the separation of source and gel settings. The screen remains on and functioning so long as the light is being powered, both when the light is on or off, which allows you to make changes and adjustments without needing to blast light everywhere. There are a variety of buttons located around the screen which allow you to change the mode that is being adjusted, select from four different presets, and lock all the settings so that they can't be changed until unlocked. In Hue & Sat mode, it still allows you to adjust the intensity and kelvin separately from the color and gel presets, which allows you to, in a way, set your source before applying the coloring on top of it. This light differs from the other lights that I've written about as it's screen remains on regardless of if the light is on or not, so long as it is powered, which allows you to control and adjust settings without the light needing to be active.

Aputure MT Pro

What are the three key features of the Aputure MT Pro?  How are they different from the other lights you've written about? 

    Three key features of the Aputure MT Pro are the shape, flexibility, and output. The most obvious feature of this light is the shape as it is a tube light as opposed to a more standard light. This allows you to be more flexible with the light as it can pass as a practical and can be used with more mobility. Additionally, the light comes with magnets so you can mount into onto most metal surfaces, which can further help with the appearance of practicals, but also the convenience of mounting it fairly easily. For the size of the light, it has a good output, which allows you to achieve the look that you want and use the accessories such as the grid without losing too much intensity. They differ from the other lights I've written about as this is a tube light that doesn't require a stand to use and can even be hand-held.

Apurture Nova P60c

What are the three key features of the Aputure P60c?  How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

    Three key features of the Aputure P60c are the CCT, HSI, and effects mode. The CCT mode is the standard mode that allows you to change color temperature and intensity, HSI mode allows you to range through the color spectrum, and effects mode includes a variety of preset effects such as strobe, police lights, fireworks, etc. The Aputure Nova 300c is different from the other lights I've written about as, in CCT mode, it can range from 2500-7500 degrees Kelvin. 

Aputure Nova 300c

What are the three key features of the Aputure Nova 300c?  How are they different from the other lights you've written about?

    Three key features of the Aputure Nova 300c are the control, the different modes, and precise settings. The way of controlling this light is a unique feature as it can be controlled both by the provided controller and/or via the app on your phone. The Aputure Nova has a variety of modes such as CCT, HSI, SFX, Source, X Y and so on and so forth. The light also has a variety of settings such a light curves, frequency selection, etc. that can allow you to more precisely control the output of the light. This is different from the other lights I've written about as it has a source mode which has presets that imitate or match different types of light sources. The app also allows you to color and source match, which isn't a feature on a lot of other objects.

Aputure 60x

What are the three key features of the Aputure 60x and 60d?  How are they different from each other?

    Three key features of the Aputure 60x and 60d are the built in focus lens, control, and the included accessories. The built in focus lens allows the light to be adjusted between flood and spot. The 60x has a CCT and FX mode, but also offers dimming controls to more precisely control the light. These lights include a variety of accessories and features that allow you to use a ton of different types of power sources, which can be much more convenient. They differ from one another as the 60d has a brighter output capability but is set to only one color temperature.

[f] Aputure 600x & 600c

What are three key features of the Aputure 600x and 600c?  How are they different from each other?

    Three key features of the Aputure 600x are , , and . Three key features of the 600c are , , and . They differ from one another as the 600d is cheaper, but the temperature is only for daylight.