What is this thing called? at DVinfo.net

Lloyd Claycomb · February 5th, 2008, 10:14 PM

What is the thing called that's sort of used like a diffuser, but solid with a bunch of random-cut holes in it?

What are the real ones made out of and is there a DYI alternative to this? Plywood with jigsawed holes cut out?

David W. Jones · February 5th, 2008, 10:20 PM

That would be a cucalorus or cookie.
I make them as needed out of foam-core.

Lloyd Claycomb · February 5th, 2008, 10:26 PM

Thank you. By the way, how do you pronounce "cucalorus." I looked it up in some online dictionaries, but no sound file attached to the word. I don't do that great with the schwas (sp? the upside down E's and others).

Sorry.

Is it like this: "cuh-cuh-LORE-uhs?"

Henry Cho · February 6th, 2008, 01:13 AM

coo-cuh-lor-us

close enough :)

Bill Davis · February 6th, 2008, 03:00 AM

It's actually pronounced "cook-ee" every where I've worked.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the formal name!

FWIW

Simon Hunt · February 6th, 2008, 03:28 AM

Hi,

Check this link out:

http://www.rosco.com/canada/video/cookies.asp

Plastic "cookie" in 4' x 4' size. Check your local lighting supplier for stock of this product.

Simon

Lloyd Claycomb · February 6th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry Cho

coo-cuh-lor-us

close enough :)

Thanks. I think I'll stick with COOKIE!

Bill Pryor · February 6th, 2008, 09:52 AM

Everybody calls them cookies. They're not for diffusion; they're to throw a pattern on the wall.

Peter Wiley · February 17th, 2008, 08:10 PM

In the theatre such things are called gobos . . . pronounced go-bo not go-boo.

Charles Papert · February 17th, 2008, 09:19 PM

It's a gobo in film usage also, but that term would broadly include anything that one places in front of a light to shape it (thus the name, as derived from "go between", although I wonder why then we don't call it a "gobe").

Hard cucalori (!) are rarely used unless for "old school" effect, although the soft version called a celo are more common; the pattern is sprayed or burned into light material on a frame, so the effect is more subtle than the straight cut-out.

Marcus Marchesseault · February 17th, 2008, 11:12 PM

In Hawaii they are called a Da Kine. Da Kines are used to modify light patterns, tighten lug nuts, increase the grip on surfboards, and an infinite list of other uses.

Dan Brockett · February 17th, 2008, 11:57 PM

In the circles, I run in, we all call them "cucs" pronounced "kooks". I have made them from foamcore, CineFoil and I own wooden and celo versions. I agree, I use the celo version much more often than the wooden version. CineFoil is better for tiny lights like my beloved Arri 150s. When I have them in tight spaces and nooks, it's more practical to make a little cuc with CineFoil than to try to work my smallest celo, which is 18" x 24".

I rarely can do a shoot without breaking out a cuc, they are very useful and fun tools.

Best,

Dan

R. L. Appling · February 18th, 2008, 04:33 AM

Once we used a large camo net that we found at a Army Navy store. NO it's not fire retardant material, so you cant put it on top of the lights directly, but it works great if the lights are away from it a couple feet - and with a little common sense - it really works well.

February 5th, 2008, 10:14 PM	#1
Lloyd Claycomb Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 208	What is this thing called? What is the thing called that's sort of used like a diffuser, but solid with a bunch of random-cut holes in it? What are the real ones made out of and is there a DYI alternative to this? Plywood with jigsawed holes cut out?

February 6th, 2008, 03:28 AM	#6
Simon Hunt New Boot Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 24	Rosco Cookie Hi, Check this link out: http://www.rosco.com/canada/video/cookies.asp Plastic "cookie" in 4' x 4' size. Check your local lighting supplier for stock of this product. Simon

February 17th, 2008, 09:19 PM	#10
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	It's a gobo in film usage also, but that term would broadly include anything that one places in front of a light to shape it (thus the name, as derived from "go between", although I wonder why then we don't call it a "gobe"). Hard cucalori (!) are rarely used unless for "old school" effect, although the soft version called a celo are more common; the pattern is sprayed or burned into light material on a frame, so the effect is more subtle than the straight cut-out. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 5th, 2008, 10:20 PM	#2
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	That would be a cucalorus or cookie. I make them as needed out of foam-core.

February 5th, 2008, 10:26 PM	#3
Lloyd Claycomb Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 208	Thank you. By the way, how do you pronounce "cucalorus." I looked it up in some online dictionaries, but no sound file attached to the word. I don't do that great with the schwas (sp? the upside down E's and others). Sorry. Is it like this: "cuh-cuh-LORE-uhs?"

February 6th, 2008, 01:13 AM	#4
Henry Cho Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 516	coo-cuh-lor-us close enough :)

February 6th, 2008, 03:00 AM	#5
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	It's actually pronounced "cook-ee" every where I've worked. I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the formal name! FWIW

February 6th, 2008, 09:52 AM	#8
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Everybody calls them cookies. They're not for diffusion; they're to throw a pattern on the wall.

February 17th, 2008, 08:10 PM	#9
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	In the theatre such things are called gobos . . . pronounced go-bo not go-boo.

February 17th, 2008, 11:12 PM	#11
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	In Hawaii they are called a Da Kine. Da Kines are used to modify light patterns, tighten lug nuts, increase the grip on surfboards, and an infinite list of other uses.

February 17th, 2008, 11:57 PM	#12
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	In the circles, I run in, we all call them "cucs" pronounced "kooks". I have made them from foamcore, CineFoil and I own wooden and celo versions. I agree, I use the celo version much more often than the wooden version. CineFoil is better for tiny lights like my beloved Arri 150s. When I have them in tight spaces and nooks, it's more practical to make a little cuc with CineFoil than to try to work my smallest celo, which is 18" x 24". I rarely can do a shoot without breaking out a cuc, they are very useful and fun tools. Best, Dan

February 18th, 2008, 04:33 AM	#13
R. L. Appling Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tehachapi, California Posts: 72	Once we used a large camo net that we found at a Army Navy store. NO it's not fire retardant material, so you cant put it on top of the lights directly, but it works great if the lights are away from it a couple feet - and with a little common sense - it really works well.