Cinematographer
Aus DoP-Perspektive ist dieses Element essentiell für die visuelle Gestaltung. Es ermöglicht mir die gewünschte Farbstimmung und das ästhetische Bild konsistent umzusetzen.
Operating mode in modern LED film lights that plays pre-programmed effects like fire, lightning, TV flicker, or emergency lighting without external console control.
Overview
The Effects Mode (also known as "FX Mode" or "Lighting Effects" by some manufacturers) is an operating mode of modern LED film lights where the fixture independently plays back pre-programmed, time-varying lighting effects. This allows for the simulation of moving light sources on set – such as a fireplace, a flickering television, a thunderstorm, the blue light of an emergency vehicle, or the flash of press photographers – without the need for a separate lighting console (DMX controller) or complex programming. The mode is not a standalone device but a firmware function accessed directly via the light's control panel.
The function gained prominence, among other things, with the ARRI SkyPanel firmware update 3.0 (2017), which introduced the "Lighting Effects" mode. Aputure (e.g., the LS-600 series and Nova panels) and numerous other manufacturers also offer comparable effects modes.
Typical Effects
The exact scope varies depending on the manufacturer and model. Two common examples:
| Fixture | Number of Effects | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ARRI SkyPanel (Firmware 3.0) | 12 | Candle, Clouds Passing, Club Lights, Color Chase, Cop Car, Fire, Fireworks, Light Strobe, Lightning, Paparazzi, Pulsing, Television |
| Aputure LS 600x Pro | 9 | Paparazzi, Fireworks, Faulty Bulb, Lightning, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, Explosion, Fire |
Adjustable Parameters
The effects are not static but can be adapted to the specific scene. Typical adjustable parameters (using the Aputure LS 600x Pro as an example):
- Brightness: 0–100%
- Frequency/Speed: Levels 1–10 and a random setting ("R" / Random) for irregular progressions
- Color Temperature (CCT): adjustable on tunable lights (2700–6500 K for the LS 600x Pro)
Certain effects like Lightning or Explosion can also be manually triggered via a trigger button – either as a single shot or a recurring cycle.
On-Set Usage
The Effects Mode is used to simulate a credible light source outside the frame that is visible or reflected in the image. Classic applications include the warm, erratic flicker of a fireplace or campfire, the cold, jumping light of a running television on a face, flickering lightning in thunderstorm scenes, or rhythmic blue lights for police and emergency vehicles.
Operation is done directly on the light's control panel via the menu. Additionally, in most models, the effects can be controlled remotely – via DMX (with dedicated channels for intensity, effect selection, and frequency), via the manufacturer's app (e.g., Sidus Link for Aputure), or via a wireless remote control. The advantage over manually programmed effects on a console is the quick recall on set, saving time especially with short notice setups and smaller crews.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Producer
Diese professionelle Lösung erhöht die Produktionseffizienz und reduziert Post-Production-Anforderungen. Sie ermöglicht flexible, schnelle Anpassungen während des Drehs.
Gaffer
Als Gaffer ist dies ein unverzichtbares Werkzeug meines täglichen Handwerkszeugs. Es ermöglicht mir professionelle Lichtkontrolle und schnelle Anpassungen auf Set, was Zeit spart und Qualität sichert.
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Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Effekt-Modus"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?