FilmGear® Ambassador and Local 728 Gaffer Jacob Abrams stopped by the shop and discussed how he uses the 10/12K Tungsten Power Beam & MEGA 1200C for his bold, natural lighting style—including a recent Toyota commercial and a Chase Atlantic music video. Jacob’s lighting approach is all about recreating natural realism by mimicking the sun:
“I use the Power Beam to replicate the sun, setting it further back so the light shapes itself naturally. I prefer a large, distant source that I can refine with diffusion rather than stacking smaller units up close—it just feels more natural.”
Jacob's "portable sun" philosophy is central to his lighting approach. For a recent Chase Atlantic music video—shot entirely inside an airplane—he used the Tungsten Power Beam to create natural sunlight streaming through the cabin windows, perfectly timed to match the plane’s movement.
“We had a Power Beam on a Roadrunner stand and kept it simple—just a push and pan to track the light across the windows. It was a tactile way to sell the movement of the plane banking and turning.” (Stills below.)
Jacob’s preference for high-output lighting was also key in his Toyota commercial, which featured extreme environments. “We used the Power Beam to punch shafts of light through the cave set up—like sunlight breaking in from above. For a surfer at sunset, we went with a strong backlight.”
For these dynamic scenes, he needed a fill light that was both powerful and adaptable—that’s where the MEGA 1200C came in.
“The MEGA has a great punchy beam angle, and the pixel control is perfect for fire gags and effects. It makes me look like a hero because we’re not wasting time swapping fixtures.”
Jacob’s signature naturalistic style isn’t just about raw output—it’s about control and usability, which is why he trusts FilmGear® lights.
“Usability is huge for me. I love that the flood/spot adjustment is smooth and easy, even when tilted way up. The dual tilt brakes seem like a small thing, but they make all the difference in a tight setup.”
To hear more about how FilmGear® lights shape Jacob’s work, tap the interview button below!
At FilmGear®, our motto is Engineered by Filmmakers, For Filmmakers. Through real on-set experiences with gaffers like Jacob, we're able to continually reengineer and upgrade our products to best serve filmmakers across the globe. If you'd like to learn more about our family of lights or share your experiences, please reach out to our team at info@filmgearusa.com or call (323) 780-8880!