GENERATORS IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Movie Making Manual/Power Sources)

Truck Fleet of various Generators / Photo Credit: Light House Lights Inc.

GENERATORS IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Movie Making Manual/Power Sources)

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Generators in Motion Picture Production

With the wide variety of generators manufactured for the various local and international markets, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks to each when it comes to their use in motion picture production. The increasing use of personal computers and microprocessor-controlled recording equipment in HD production has created an unprecedented demand for clean, reliable power on set at a time when the trend in lighting is toward light sources that generate dirty power. This why harmonic distortion and maintaining a balance is so important.

On a film set, the power source is usually managed by the Electrical Department. Depending on where you are shooting and the volume of power the production requires, many different power sources are used. Typically you are either using Stage Power, House Power, A Tie-In, or a Generator.

Stage Power

When filming on a sound-stage large amounts of power are typically provided as part of the facility, although this is not always the case. Typically, power is provided in the form of 3-phase 110v with Cam-Lock hook-ups.

House Power

House power refers to power that is already installed within a location. For example, if you are shooting in a apartment, House Power refers to existing power installed in the apartment. House power is generally not preferred because: lighting equipment can require more power than is available, circuit-boxes can be difficult to locate in the event of an overload, a relatively large amount of power is usually used which increases the power-bill for that cycle.

Tie-ins

A Tie-In is a method of tapping directly into the power that feeds a building from the city power-grid, thereby bypassing the limits of the circuits that are installed in the building.

A Tie-In is a dangerous activity which requires experience and skill. Improper methods can result in damage to city power-grids and death.

Generator

Generators are used in Motion Picture Production to provide power to all the departments of the production, the most demanding on which is the lighting department. Typically generators are used when filming on location, as power is normally provided when filming on a sound-stage.

How are portable generators different from a mains power supply?

There are two major differences between portable generators (or any generators for that matter) and the mains supply:

• You have to keep tabs on what you put in, mainly fuel and oil…
• You have to keep tabs on the kind of devices you plug in, or you won’t get all the power it is capable of…

Due to these differences, the generator becomes another tool that you must know well in order to get the best out of it. It’s not as forgiving as a mains supply.

Which portable generators are the best?

We cannot go into detail here without getting into electrical engineering specifics, but to summarize:

• An inverter generator produces the cleanest electricity with the most stable voltage. You need this if you’re running sensitive equipment like laptops, cameras, etc…
• Petrol/Gas or diesel generators are efficient. However, in some countries, these fuels are scarce, and might be illegal to buy separately. Kerosene generators are one viable replacement…
• A good generator should have more than one outlet, and preferably the option to choose between 120 V and 230 V…
• Silent generators are often critical for film productions, especially those that require production audio…
• The larger the fuel tank, the more fuel it can carry, and the more it can run on a full tank. This will save you trips to the gas station…
• It must be compact, light and portable…
• An electric start is easier to handle than pulling a rope cord…
• The most important thing: What is its power rating? The more the better, but only if you need it...

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow,

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Truck Fleet of various Generators / Photo Credit: Light House Lights Inc.