No stage fright for the Joker Bug!

On a recent shoot, Stephen Murphy, DoP, had a very specific lighting brief from the BBC and Royal Shakespeare Company. Following a recent demo of K5600's Joker Bugs at LCA, Stephen decided to utilise these lights with a pleasing outcome:

"When I was asked to shoot the second season of "Shakespeare Unlocked" for the BBC and the Royal Shakespeare Company I knew I'd need a very particular kind of light to help me. I had seen the Joker Bugs at a demo by LCA-  Lights, Camera, Action in London and quickly realized that their compact size, powerful output and incredible range of accessories were the perfect combination. My creative remit was to deliver cinematic images while showcasing the existing lighting design at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. With limited time and multiple lighting styles to work within I used Joker Bug 400 and 800's direct and with both Soft Tube and Chinaball accessories, mixing both hard and soft light in a variety of rigging situations. Their flexibility and ease of use kept us on schedule and the beautiful quality of light gave us results we are all extremely pleased with"

For more information on the Joker Bug range, contact LCA +44 (0)20 8833 7600, sales@lcauk.com or www.lcauk.com.

For bookings for Stephen Murphy,  please contact Suz Cruz on +44 (0)1932 252 577 or visit
http://www.Stephen-Murphy.com to see his award winning Showreel

K5600 completes the Alpha and Joker Bug range.

Recent blogs have shown you the versatility of K5600's Alpha with the very helpful insight from DoP David Procter and Gaffer, Reuben Garrett. To complete the range of Alpha 2,5/4Kw and 6/12/18Kw, K5600 have launched the Alpha 1600w.

The Alpha 1600w features a new MSR 1600w UV-block bulb produced by Koto/G.E, and a G22 socket to reduce the size and weight of the head (less than 10Kg). The ballast is very compact (same size as the 800w ballast) and allow the system to be integrated in a Fly case. It can also run with 100Hz, 300Hz or Silent mode.
As the other Alphas, the 1600w can be used pointing straight down and offers the same versatility of use with its own Spacebeam and the open-eye mode (with just a clear lens for a 160° angle beam and sharp shadows).
The Alpha 1600w complete kit includes a head with bulb, electronic ballast, a 250mm Fresnel lens, a 10m extension cable, a barndoor and a fly case.

The Joker Bug 1600w will be available soon to complete the logical range of 200w, 400w and 800w.
Two types of reflectors will be offered: a traditional PAR beamer and a new lens-less zoom beamer,
offering a 10 to 60° powerful and clean beam.

Pictures below: Joker bug 800 vs Joker bug 1600

Ed Lachman visits DoPChoice at Camerimage

DoPChoice welcomed on to their stand at Camerimage, Cinematographer Ed Lachman.

Lachman has worked on numerous movies and TV series including Erin Brockovich, The Virgin Suicides, Far From Heaven and I'm Not There. He has recently worked on a TV mini series, Mildred Pierce and biographical movie of Allen Ginsberg, Howl.

The John Seale Master Class at Camerimage

Australian cinematographer John Seale, best known for his Oscar-winning work with the late Anthony Minghella on The English Patient, will receive the Golden Frog Award for career achievement at the Plus Camerimage Festival currently on until 3rd December in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
 
Not only will his achievement be celebrated with the screening of a handful of films, he also presented a Master Class sponsored by Panavision (see images).


John was also Director of Photography on The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain and The Perfect Storm, as well as working as DoP with fellow Aussie Peter Weir on Witness and Dead Poets Society. His subsequent DoP credits included Rain Man, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and The Tourist with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

Alpha 4kW Steals the scene on 'Quartet'

Gaffer, Reuben Garrett, currently on set with director Dustin Hoffman and DoP, John De Borman filming Quartet, spoke to LCA for the need of a specific light required in a restricted location.

"We used the Alpha 4V2 with the shallow medium bank chimera  as we needed a lightweight soft source that could be used on a boom arm.  The restriction of our location meant that we could not use a Cherry Picker and had to rig a light from the balcony of the room we were shooting in.  The balcony was on a listed building which was over a hundred years old so any solution had to be lightweight and not damage the structure of the building. Any other 4K with a Chimera would of been too heavy.  

In preparation,  John De Borman, DoP and Director Dustin Hoffman had discussed the look of the characters of the film which were mainly elderly.   They had talked about showing the beauty of their age as much as the distinguishing features of there age therefore the modelling of the key light was essential.  The combination of the Alpha 4V2 with the medium chimera was perfect for this and suited many of the restrictions of our locations."

A great night at BSC Operators night

A great night was had by all at the Annual British Society of Cinematographers Operators night on Friday.

The night gives the BSC the opportunity to acknowledge their operators and as usual was held in the main ballroom at Pinewood Studios.

Attending the evening was Dustin Hoffman and John De Borman, along with their production team who arrived straight from shooting Dustin's first directorial role in the feature, Quartet.

Dustin Hoffman

John De Borman giving his speech

Billy Williams and Dustin Hoffman chatting over dinner

New Cine Magic Tube seen at BVE

Seen at BVEnorth for the first time, the brand new Cine Magic Tube. 30W 60cm Plasma Tube AC/DC, 100% dimmable and changes colour temperature from 2500 degrees kelvin to 8400, or anywhere inbetween.

Watch the CMT in action:

For more information contact Nick Shapley @LCA - nshapley@lcauk.co.uk