Cinematographer
Aus DoP-Perspektive ist dieses Element essentiell für die visuelle Gestaltung. Es ermöglicht mir die gewünschte Farbstimmung und das ästhetische Bild konsistent umzusetzen.
Genie Lift: branded term for Genie (Terex AWP) mobile elevating work platforms and material lifts used on set to position lighting, grip, and rigging equipment at height.
Overview
"Genie Lift" is not a distinct equipment category in film and television production, but rather a brand-specific collective term. Genie is a manufacturer of Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) and belongs to the Terex AWP brand. When "Genie" or "Genie Lift" is mentioned on set, it usually refers to one of the following equipment classes:
- AWP Personnel Lifts (Super Series): compact, manually propelled single-person aerial work platforms with a telescopic mast. They are used by lighting technicians and grips to elevate personnel for hanging, positioning, and servicing luminaires and rigging.
- Super Tower (Material Lift): a portable telescopic tower that lifts materials – spotlights, trusses, speakers, stage elements – upwards without carrying personnel.
- Scissor and Boom Lifts: larger Genie units for heavy loads and extended horizontal reach, for example, for positioning heavy luminaires or cameras.
The term is therefore clearly attributable to the Grip/Set Equipment sector and refers to lifting and hoisting technology, not to luminaires or lighting control.
Equipment Types and Specifications
The following values, based on manufacturer or rental specifications, relate to models commonly used in the entertainment industry:
| Model | Type | Platform/Lifting Height | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWP-25S | Personnel Lift (Mast) | Platform approx. 7.57 m (24 ft 10 in) | up to 159 kg (350 lb) |
| AWP-30S | Personnel Lift (Mast) | Platform approx. 9.0 m (29 ft 6 in) | up to 159 kg (350 lb) |
| AWP-36S | Personnel Lift (Mast) | Platform approx. 11.1 m (36 ft 5 in) | up to 159 kg (350 lb) |
| Super Tower ST-20 | Material Lift (Tower) | Lifting Height approx. 6.46 m (21 ft 2 in) | up to 364 kg (800 lb) |
| Super Tower ST-25 | Material Lift (Tower) | Lifting Height approx. 7.94 m (26 ft 0 in) | up to 296 kg (650 lb) |
The AWP Personnel Lifts have a deliberately narrow base (base width approx. 0.74 m) so they can fit through standard doorways and into tight locations. The Super Tower features a matte black anodized finish to be as inconspicuous as possible on stage or in shot.
On-Set Usage
Genie Lifts are an integral part of rigging and lighting work in studio and location operations. Typical applications:
- Hanging and Positioning Lights: Lighting technicians use AWP Personnel Lifts to install, focus, and outfit luminaires with diffusion or flags on ceilings, grids, or trusses.
- Lifting Material: The Super Tower lifts heavy spotlights, speakers, or truss sections into position without personnel; multiple towers together can support short truss runs.
- Heavy Loads and Reach: For large luminaires or camera positions, Genie's larger scissor and boom lifts are used, offering significantly higher load capacities and extended horizontal reach.
As personnel lifts are aerial work platforms, the usual safety requirements apply during operation: trained operating personnel, secure, level footing, adherence to the rated load, and depending on the model, personal protective equipment against falls.
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.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Genie-Lift"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?