China Balls Are Everywhere!

[CamVader]

We've had a bunch of threads on these things, but this one is for naming productions where you've seen them in use.

I was watching an episode of Pawn Stars last night and there, reflected off the top of the glass case as the camera was tilted downward, was the bottom of a china ball lighting the scene. Who knew?

 

[directorik]

I've been shooting "Pawn Stars" off and on since December. We use them all the time.

 

[Uranium City]

Saw one hanging prominently during the intervention on the show Intervention, as the subject got up to split (as they are wont to do). The handheld cameras took over and there, hanging in the middle of the circle of interventioners, was a large china ball to which I immediately explained the purpose of to my wife. She called me a nerd and began planning a different sort of intervention for me.

 

[Ernest Worthing]

Saw one hanging prominently during the intervention on the show Intervention, as the subject got up to split (as they are wont to do). The handheld cameras took over and there, hanging in the middle of the circle of interventioners, was a large china ball to which I immediately explained the purpose of to my wife. She called me a nerd and began planning a different sort of intervention for me.

Lol!

My significant other is not a big fan of 2001, so i threaten now and then to use the Ludovico technique on her for A Space Odyssey.

 

[CamVader]

I've been shooting "Pawn Stars" off and on since December. We use them all the time.

Ah-hah!

Good to know I wasn't seeing things. Good stuff for us learners.

Can you share your vendor or is that a production company thing?

 

[Zensteve]

Just looked up some episodes. That's pretty cool show!

But yah... gotta love them china balls.

 

[Flicker Pictures]

Pawn Stars? Who knew! Great name. Now I need to crackin' on my biofuels and organic farming show... Corn Stars.

 

[rayw]

I saw a naked Chinaman run down the sidewalk.
Does that count?

 

[CamVader]

I saw a naked Chinaman run down the sidewalk.
Does that count?

I don't know. How was he lit?

 

[rayw]

He was kinda leaning to the side as he ran and crashed into a few other pedestrians, so I'd guess he was lit fairly well.

 

[CamVader]

He was kinda leaning to the side as he ran and crashed into a few other pedestrians, so I'd guess he was lit fairly well.

If it was soft light, my money is on china balls.

 

[directorik]

Ah-hah!

Good to know I wasn't seeing things. Good stuff for us learners.

Can you share your vendor or is that a production company thing?

Are you asking about vendors for paper lanterns?

 

[CamVader]

Are you asking about vendors for paper lanterns?

I was, thanks. I did find one and they're not expensive at all. All different sizes and bulb wattages at this vendor.

 

[brianluce]

I was, thanks. I did find one and they're not expensive at all. All different sizes and bulb wattages at this vendor.

I got mine at the asian grocery store. They're like $4 each.

 

[CamVader]

I got mine at the asian grocery store. They're like $4 each.

Yep, there really not that bad no matter where you buy them. The expensive part will actually be a boom arm for a c-stand.

 

[directorik]

FilmTools is great. I buy them at Ikea, too.

 

[David.rhsc]

Ikea is great for the paper ones, and for little 300w rated (I wouldn't push em past 250 or so) dimmers for like $7.

China balls will hang just fine on those cheap-o black knock-off stands. Or just clamped to something convenient. C-stand is ideal, but not necessary.

I just worked a few days on an indie feature (SF unit) where the DP had a couple of Jem Balls:

http://www.jemlighting.com/products.html#Anchor_resource1

Considerably more expensive than a paper lantern, but not disposable and can take sustained heat from a 400w Joker thrown in the HMI ring in the back. Very versatile light.

I picked up another idea from him, when I build it out I'll post it up.