lighting Flickering Torch Light

Abraxas Studios · Jun 22, 2011

For one of my upcoming short series i want to have it set in a cave, creating the cave is no problem but getting the right lighting will be, i want to get a flickering effect like you would get from a medieval style torch. A real one would A) Probably not provide enough light and B) Set fire to the "Cave" and kill us all so i can't use a real one, i did a quick internet search on how to make one and came up with nothing. So i figured if anyone would know it would be one of you guys.

So fire away, thank you for any help you can give me

Spencer

Zensteve · Jun 22, 2011

You can rent a Flicker Box for cheap, at your local lighting place.

You plug your light into the box, and the box does the rest. The box has dozens of presets from rhythmic to random.

I 'spose a good queston would be... do you have electricity at your cave, though? :hmm:

Abraxas Studios · Jun 22, 2011

Zensteve said:
You can rent a Flicker Box for cheap, at your local lighting place.

You plug your light into the box, and the box does the rest. The box has dozens of presets from rhythmic to random.

I 'spose a good queston would be... do you have electricity at your cave, though?

Yeah, we're gonna build the cave in a warehouse/storage space and film it all in there, hopefully anyway, So electricity should be provided.

Thanks for the info, i'll have a look around and see what i can find, how would i make it that sort of orange light though? Filters?

gpforet · Jun 22, 2011

We have used a tree branch with some leaves attached, and shook it slowly in from of a light source with a patched together amber/red gel.

Abraxas Studios · Jun 22, 2011

gpforet said:
We have used a tree branch with some leaves attached, and shook it slowly in from of a light source with a patched together amber/red gel.

Genius

I'll keep that in mind

Thank you

David.rhsc · Jun 22, 2011

Make magazine as an interesting idea that you might be able to adapt. The trick would be making the pieces of "flame" bright enough to sell the shot.

http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol25?pg=144#pg144

Also, have you considered showing them lighting a real torch before going into the cave, then swapping in the gag while inside?

Zensteve · Jun 23, 2011

Abraxas Studios said:
how would i make it that sort of orange light though? Filters?

Place some CTO gel over your lightsource. Or red gel. Or combination thereof. Or whatever looks right to you.

Btw, here's more info on Flicker Boxes:

http://magicgadgets.com/mg_ol_04.htm

They are pretty cheap to rent, and they come in several sizes & behaviours. Go to a rental store and ask to see one. Then pick one suitable for your particular project.

Abraxas Studios · Jun 23, 2011

Thanks both of you, i'll keep it all in mind, i'll have them all ready as a back up in case one idea goes bad.