Skirting/Flagging a Chinaball at DVinfo.net

John Chia · March 9th, 2009, 10:08 AM

Wondering if any of you - who have had to flag or skirt off part of a china ball (on the fixture itself) - could share your experience in doing it in the most efficient way

thanks in advance!

Bill Hamell · March 9th, 2009, 02:10 PM

Duvetyn and C-47s works every time.

Ralph Keyser · March 10th, 2009, 10:51 AM

I've also used blackwrap on china balls. In addition, you can spray paint them black (or some other color) to block/cut the light output. I imagine you could use ND gel as well. The great thing about china balls is that they are so cheap that you can afford to mess up, so try anything.

John Chia · March 11th, 2009, 02:19 AM

appreciate both your responses. thanks!

someone on another forum suggests garbages bags. i think I'm gonna go for that because its alot cheaper than using Duvetyn.

Dave Dodds · March 11th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Depending on how bright your light is, garbage bags may not totally block the light. For really bright stuff, they act more like a quadruple scrim. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just be aware of it. I actually quite like this effect in certain situations (I think light spill can be a wonderful thing sometimes - weird, huh?).

All that said, if you really want to use the garbage bags and completely block some light, just double 'em up.

Good luck.

~~Dave

John Chia · March 24th, 2009, 11:58 AM

thanks Dave. i actually wanted it to work like a scrim

March 9th, 2009, 10:08 AM	#1
John Chia Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 32	Skirting/Flagging a Chinaball Wondering if any of you - who have had to flag or skirt off part of a china ball (on the fixture itself) - could share your experience in doing it in the most efficient way thanks in advance!

March 9th, 2009, 02:10 PM	#2
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	Duvetyn and C-47s works every time. __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

March 10th, 2009, 10:51 AM	#3
Ralph Keyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 287	I've also used blackwrap on china balls. In addition, you can spray paint them black (or some other color) to block/cut the light output. I imagine you could use ND gel as well. The great thing about china balls is that they are so cheap that you can afford to mess up, so try anything.

March 11th, 2009, 02:19 AM	#4
John Chia Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 32	appreciate both your responses. thanks! someone on another forum suggests garbages bags. i think I'm gonna go for that because its alot cheaper than using Duvetyn.

March 11th, 2009, 07:03 PM	#5
Dave Dodds Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York Posts: 204	Depending on how bright your light is, garbage bags may not totally block the light. For really bright stuff, they act more like a quadruple scrim. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just be aware of it. I actually quite like this effect in certain situations (I think light spill can be a wonderful thing sometimes - weird, huh?). All that said, if you really want to use the garbage bags and completely block some light, just double 'em up. Good luck. ~~Dave

March 24th, 2009, 11:58 AM	#6
John Chia Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 32	thanks Dave. i actually wanted it to work like a scrim