Rotating light system with dual 320mm Fresnel lenses producing mobile light cones of 12°–68° at 18,000 lumens via 2.5kW HMI lamp.
Technical Details
The Molipso operates with two concentric Fresnel lenses (320mm diameter), rotating at 0.5-3 revolutions per minute. The light beam varies between a 12° and 68° beam angle with a constant 18,000 lumens of light output. The system requires a 2.5kW HMI lamp and weighs a total of 24kg. Three variants exist: Molipso Standard (fixed speed), Molipso DMX (remotely controllable via 512 channels), and Molipso Compact (reduced size for a 1.2kW lamp).
History & Development
In 1987, Italian lighting technician Giuseppe Marelli developed the first Molipso for Cinecittà Studios. Originally created to simulate cloud shadows for Western films, it gained international distribution in 1991 through "Terminator 2." Arri licensed the technology in 1994 and integrated it into the M-Series system. Since 2018, Aputure has offered an LED-based version with 12,000 lumens.
Practical Use in Film
Roger Deakins used Molipso units for the prison scenes in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) to create subtle light changes through bars. In "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), six synchronized Molipsos simulated the flickering neon light of the city scenes. The rotating beam is particularly suitable for underwater scenes, dream sequences, and atmospheric night exteriors. Disadvantages include motor noise (42 dB) and high power consumption.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to static gobos, the Molipso creates more organic light movements without visible repeating patterns. Modern LED panels with programmed light animation are increasingly replacing HMI-based Molipsos, but do not achieve their light intensity. For interior shots, cinematographers often prefer Dedo-Lights with motorized iris diaphragms, as they operate more quietly. For large productions, Molipso systems remain standard for dynamic lighting moods with high base brightness.