What do you all think of the Magic Gadgets Shadowmaker?

[Stephen Pruitt]

Hi all. . .

I'm looking to create some very realistic candle, TV, campfire, and fireplace lighting. Is this 3 channel device really effective for this sort of thing?

Thanks much.

Stephen

 

[Bob Rudis]

Its really quite nice. User defined parameters give you complete flexibility to match your aesthetic. I find people tend to over flicker especially for TV effects. Shots change realistically every 3, 5, 8 seconds just like shots in an edit. Faster for a music video. You can rent them to test them out. They have them at Available Light in NYC. Many gaffers own them and rent them too. Magic Gadgets makes some really nice stuff.

 

[Jeff Garton]

I never leave home without mine. Does a brilliant job at the effects you're looking for. It has ample control over variables so its very flexible. I find that with most effects (fire especially) keeping the difference between the channels "highs" and "lows" smaller makes for a subtler and more realistic result.

The ability to daisy chain other "dumb" MG dimmers and use the Shadow Maker as the brains is also useful for larger setups. I've used it several times to generate flicker for car effects linked to their DC Dimmer.

I also use it as three separate 2K dimmers quite often. Much lighter than three 2K Variacs, and filament buzz isn't generally too bad.

Highly recommended.