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Generator/Other Filming Necessities

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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
Ok so the season is coming up quick and sooner or later we will be getting our first snow which means handrail time.  This year I will be filming for a full length film and I'm pretty excited, but there's some things that I definatley need for it to happen.

I need a genny good enough to light up a spot.  How many watts is enough?  We have some pretty enormous rails that will take a lot of light so I don't want to get something too small.  I'm not sure what my budget is....if any (i'm dead broke right now and I still need a better tripod (how's the bogen 503?).

Post your gennys and lighting setups.

Thanks.
Oct 25 2009 12:20AM
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sirskizalot
Posts: 4370 - Karma: 161
Ive been wondering about generators for this season too so my threads for lata.
Oct 25 2009 12:33AM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
Bogen 503 is awesome.  I use it with my xha1/Letus extreme.

as for lights, I really like arri 650's, but if you're on a budget, normal work lights work great.  Just make sure you replace the bulbs with ones that are rated to 3200 Kelvin, that way it's super easy to white balance.  I'd recommend getting at least 4 shop lights if you go this route.  I use 2 independent 600 watt lamps, and another stand that holds 2 500watters.  It's a decent set up for lighting just about anything if you know how to bounce/diffuse properly.  Unfortunately I don't know shit about generators, but google perhaps?
Oct 25 2009 3:16AM
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.SteezusChrist.
Posts: 2296 - Karma: 276
I actually just started getting into the whole generator thing. You probably want to go at least 1,000. I know for me, I am going to go around 2,000 or more. I have 1,000 watts of lights so far (2 500 watt lights with 2 lights on them each, giving me 4 lights total). If you didn't know, generators run on gas. They put out a wattage. You need to make sure the generator wattage is greater than the lights. This stuff is kind of obvious, but hopefully somebody who doesn't know much about it (like I used to) will see this and prevent them from making another thread.
Oct 25 2009 11:22AM
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Trent_Palmer
Posts: 226 - Karma: 936
We always lugged out a 5000 watt generator for our 5 shop lights (1000w each). Seemed to work well enough. Just remember to get some good extention cords and some good splitters and you should be golden.

^Like mentioned above Arri light will be better but if you are looking to just dump a ton of light and dont care about being able to direct it or the temp of the light then work lights will do.
Oct 25 2009 11:59AM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
Damn.  That is one sexy generator, but it's far out of my low price range.  I'm more looking for clearence/el cheapo generators.  I understand that you get what you pay for.

To the person telling me that they are gas powered.  I know.  I have used generators before.  My family even owns one, but it is far too large to bring to a spot.
Oct 25 2009 1:40PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
I've been looking around and this seems super cheap and would have JUST enough power.

1200 watts/ 1000 continuous would be enough to power two 500 watt light stands.

I used two 500 watt stands at this huge handrail this past winter and it was just enough light.

Decent?

http://www.amazon.com/TG1200-Portable-Generator-Non-CARB-Compliant/dp/B000P9UOAC/ref=pd_cp_hi_1


Oct 27 2009 8:48PM
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eheath
Posts: 61670 - Karma: 123,725
Yeah, two lights isn't really enough imo when i went to minnesota and filmed rails, you need at least 3 lights on each setup to get good light, once again imo.
Oct 28 2009 6:10PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
It is not a ton of light but the one time I did have a genny to use (my friends) we used two 500 watt light stands for this HUGE quad kink and it was borderline enough light.

Here's a DVX screengrab of it to show the amount of light.

Click for larger image
Oct 28 2009 10:22PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
BUMP time.

Ok so I have been looking around at generators and the snow is coming so I will need it pretty soon.

This one is only $189 bucks and it's 1500 watts continuous which means I could run 3-500watt light stands on it. (sorry ns won't let me post good links right now)

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&productId=100637533

The only problem I see is that it only has 1 plug.  Couldn't I just get a splitter and then run separate extension cords?


Nov 27 2009 7:27PM
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estaked
Posts: 7388 - Karma: 79
I would suggest a 3500 watt geny, You should be able to find deals on them at Home Depot for about 350. Then do three 1200 watt shop lights for the cheapest set up, they will do a decent amount of lighting bigger rails. Although for super long rails four is nice. But if you decide to spend more get studio lights way better but so expensive. Hope this helps.

PZ
Nov 27 2009 8:45PM
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