Compact, battery-powered lighting control console with 48–96 faders for mobile film sets. Modern units like ETC Element feature DMX512 protocol, OLED display, and 8–12h runtime.
Modern Pocket Consoles operate with 32-bit processors and feature OLED or LCD displays with 480x272 pixel resolution. The devices support the DMX512 protocol as standard via XLR-5 connectors, and increasingly wireless transmission via 2.4 GHz or LTE. Typical models like the Leprecon LP-X48 or ETC Element offer 48-96 faders, programmable cue lists with up to 999 scenes, and integrated batteries with 8-12 hours of runtime. The operating temperature ranges from -10°C to +50°C.
In 1987, Strand Lighting launched the first portable lighting control "Lightboard M," which still weighed 8 kg. ETC revolutionized the field in 1995 with the Express series, which was the first to weigh under 3 kg and was battery-powered. In 2003, LED displays enabled smaller form factors, while from 2010 onwards, touchscreen interfaces and WLAN connectivity became standard. Current generations integrate cloud backup and smartphone apps for remote control.
On "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), the lighting team used Pocket Consoles for complex vehicle shots, as stationary consoles were impractical in the desert locations. Typical workflows include pre-programming basic moods in the studio and transferring them to location shoots. The devices allow for spontaneous lighting adjustments during recording without a gaffer needing to return to the main console. Limitations become apparent in complex multi-camera setups with over 100 fixtures.
Pocket Consoles differentiate themselves from full-size consoles through a reduced number of faders and simplified menu structures. Tablet-based solutions like the Luminair app offer similar portability but without physical fader control. For large productions, moving light consoles like the GrandMA3 replace the pocket variant, while for one-person teams, smartphone-controlled systems suffice. The choice depends on the number of fixtures, budget constraints, and desired precision.
Ich schätze die sofortige Reaktionszeit bei Belichtungsänderungen – während einer schwierigen Steadicam-Fahrt kann mein Gaffer die Lichtstimmung nahtlos anpassen, ohne dass ich die Kamera absetzen muss. Die präzise Dimmkurven-Kontrolle ermöglicht mir fließende Übergänge zwischen praktischen Lichtquellen und Kunstlicht, besonders bei Available-Light-Situationen.
Mit der Pocket Console kann ich während der Probe spontane Lichtstimmungen ausprobieren und dabei direkt neben den Schauspielern stehen – das verändert meine Arbeitsweise fundamental. Ich programmiere verschiedene emotionale Grundstimmungen vorab und rufe sie während des Drehs per Knopfdruck ab, was mir erlaubt, auch in der Postproduktion alternative Stimmungsverläufe zu testen.
Eine Pocket Console kostet zwischen 3.000-8.000 Euro, spart aber täglich 2-3 Stunden Setup-Zeit gegenüber großen Lichtpulten – das rechtfertigt die Anschaffung bereits nach 10 Drehtagen. Die Mobilität reduziert Transportkosten erheblich, da wir kein separates Lichtpult-Flight-Case benötigen und weniger Crew für das Equipment-Handling.
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Pocket Console"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
The Lexikon is part of the Filmfarm ecosystem — alongside budgeting (FilmBalance), an industry magazine (FilmCircus) and crew networking (FilmCall, CrewMesh). One shared vocabulary for the whole production.