Gel, control CFL bulbs

[Gabor D.]

Hey,

For a certain green screen setup I want to use colored lights on my talents. One way to do this is with colored fluorescent tubes, or right now I'm thinking of using CFLs. I will have 12 sockets for bulbs which I will use in china lanterns for another scene, so I thought why not use these sockets with the same CFLs, just instead of the lantern, use it with some color gels.

How could I do this? First I thought I let the bulbs hang free from the ceiling, and cut a tiny piece of color gel and put it around the bulbs, like a skirt. What do you think about this solution?

I also thought of doing some DIY solution for some small reflector behind the bulb, to control spill.

Fixing these small CFLs, basically hanging them, seems easier than fixing long tubes of fluorescent lights. So this is why I'm interested in this solution. + I'll have the sockets already, the bulbs already, so why not use them?

 

[Gabor D.]

Anyone?

 

[Gabor D.]

http://www.amazon.de/eSmart-Germany...e=UTF8&qid=1383470897&sr=8-11&keywords=esmart

What do you think of this CFL bulb?

 

[Justin McAleece]

The CRI and green spike of fluorescent bulbs can be pretty bad so you need to test them before settling on a solution.

 

[Gabor D.]

I found that Kino Flo released CFL bulbs, daylight and tungsten, with a CRI of 95 and 26w in power. Unfortunately they are rather expensive for my shoot, so I'd prefer to find some cheaper solutions. Even more, because just read the American Cinematographer article about Only God Forgives, where the cinematographer states that most of the film was lit with practicals, and most of these shots were illuminated by cheap fluorescent lights from the local shop. So if it was good for them, I don't see why it shouldn't work for me...

 

[ericyoung]

The particular ones you get may, or may not, be fine for your particular purpose, but the only way to know for sure is to do tests before the shoot!

 

[William Dempsey]

Hi Gabor,

It seems if I'm reading your original post correctly that for this green screen shot you want to use colored gelled CFLs. If that is the case it seems that the color accuracy is not an issue in the first place and you are going for a stylized look. They should work fine. I would suggest you look into CFL party lights that already come in colors. We used some on a project last year to simulate auto safety flares. These lamps come in a variety of saturated colors so you would not have to gel them unless you need very specific colors.

Only thing to watch out for is that your talent remains keyable with the colors you choose and you avoid colored light spilling onto your green screen. China lanterns are hard to control with respect to spill.

With regard to the more general comment about CFL practicals, I have been using store bought CFLs with no trouble for 2 years so far. While I would not recommend them in places where precise color accuracy is needed, for general lighting they work quite well. I typically use 100 watt equivalent daylight balanced bulbs. Just be careful as not all daylight CFL bulbs are balanced the same. They seem to vary between about 4850-5700 k depending upon brand and batch. I agree with Ericyoung that you test first to determine if you are happy with the look you are getting.

Good Luck

Bill