Written by Jibran Kabani
& Jonathan Pino
Written by Jibran Kabani & Jonathan Pino
In 2019, the Tungsten 12kW Power Beam made its debut in the North American market, offering filmmakers a powerful addition to their creative arsenal. With its sharp reflector and massive output, it quickly became a staple for beam lights. In this newsletter, we sit down with two industry trailblazers, Director of Photography Chris Ripley and Gaffer Mathias Peralta (full interview linked at the bottom). Known for their music video work with artists like Kendrick Lamar and The Rolling Stones, we discuss their new feature film, Skincare, and how FilmGear®'s 12kW Tungsten Power Beam helped bring it to life.
Chris with the 12k Power beam
Skincare is described as a “sunshine noir,” revolving around a renowned aesthetician who faces sabotage from a rival clinic. This sets her on a personal quest to uncover the saboteur's identity.
Ripley and Peralta highlighted the Power Beam’s impressive output and parallel beams, which allowed them to create a "portable sun" that illuminated two adjacent skincare clinics through the windows—a technique that became a signature element of the film’s lighting design. “We only used two big heads, and one of them was the 12kW Tungsten Power Beam. It felt like having a laser... it would hit the right point on the wall or the floor and feel natural. That was one of my favorite qualities,” said Peralta.
Gaffer Mathias Peralta
Facing the challenges of on-location shooting in Los Angeles, the team adapted by rigging the Power Beam on urban porches and rooftops. This setup showcased the light’s 0° beam angle and its nimble 64-pound body while delivering a strong, directional output. "Instead of hanging it off a condor, we'd place it on a porch, allowing it to shine straight down and do amazing things. Another fixture, at that distance and with those restrictions, would be too clunky. But the Power Beam had the punch, thanks to its optics."
Beyond its role as a hard light source, the Power Beam was also used as a soft light by reflecting it into various locations, gently illuminating characters' faces in emotionally charged scenes. “We’d punch it into this small room, and then skate it from one side, so the return would softly illuminate their faces,” said Chris.
This process was enhanced by the tungsten dimming curve, controlled via an iPad-operated dimmer, which was also crucial in saving time on set. It allowed the team to simulate the passage of time from day to evening without changing the lighting setup. 'At one point, we had back-to-back scenes in the same room, each needing to feel like a different time of day. We could quickly shift the lamp's position because it was lightweight, creating the feel of late afternoon, warmer sunlight, or sunset. The dimmer made it intuitive, with a smooth dimming curve that was just beautiful. It was perfect for when we had to shoot five scenes in a row.' said Ripley.
““Instead of hanging it off a condor, we’d place it on a porch, allowing it to shine straight down and do amazing things. Another fixture, at that distance and with those restrictions, would be too clunky. But the Power Beam had the punch, thanks to its optics.””
The Power Beam has quickly become one of FilmGear®’s most highly in-demand fixtures, and with filmmakers like Chris Ripley and Mathias Peralta pushing the boundaries of what a beam projector can achieve on set, it’s easy to see why! In our interview, linked below, we continue our discussion on the Power Beam and explore their insights on the future of film lighting, the broader gear economy, and the evolution of their personal styles.
We loved hearing from them and are eager to hear more from members of the FilmGear family in the future. Share your experiences with us by calling (323) 780-8880 or emailing info@filmgearusa.com.