Alphas on set with DoP David Proctor for SKY

David Proctor, DoP, gives us an insight into a recent shoot for SKY using the K5600 Alphas.

GARDEN SCENE
The client wanted a sunlit garden exterior and there
was no option of either shooting abroad or for a studio
build. The camera moves 360 degrees through the
scene so I knew that operator shadows would
quickly become a problem.
To get up high we looked into the Luminys Softsun
units, crane mounted, but unfortunately it was
beyond the restraints of the budget. The next
realistic solution was a pair of Alpha18k which
I knew I could take to the top of a 5-Stage
Stratosafe and tilt sharply downwards without the
usual problems of HMI tilt limit. Carefully flagging the
spread from both units, double shadows were
avoided and using half CTS I was able to achieve
a believable sunlight effect over the scene. I
wrapped the exposed uprights of the stratosafes
with a faux bark that we had manufactured by
Palmbrokers so that if caught in the back of shot,
they passed as thin tree-trunks.
I was even able to evoke an optical flare as the
camera swung into the lights, further selling,
the summer's afternoon aesthetic.
The Apha18Ks were the perfect tools for the
job, on budget.

STATION SCENE
For the train station location, on which I used three
Alpha4K units, we were shooting on an operational
train platform with strict limitations on light position
& space.
Whilst there is rigging space in the platform awning,
there was pigeon netting which we were under
strict instruction not to touch. Once again we had
a 360 degree field of view on a wide lens and hence
had very little space to hide lights.
As it was a very particular set of demands, I looked
into the photometrics of all lights that could
physically be concealed from their shot, even the
Kinoflo Vistabeam 600 didn't give enough footcandles.
Due to the Alpha 4K's slim-line design and unique
tilt ability, I sincerely believe that no other light
on the market could have achieved what we
needed without compromising the shot.

Production Companies: Capture / Still Productions
Agency: WCRS
Director: Gary Salter
DoP: David Procter
Gaffer: Aaron Szogi
Lighting Supplied by: Panalux / Piximotion
Camera: Filmscape Media