This is probably the best rigging video I've seen. I appreciate how in depth you get with the details; from the rig, logistics, hardware, to the tools, you covered everything to the T. Thanks for another great video Luke.
I was gripping on a short last weekend which was my first time ever rigging lights overhead with speedrail. It's a whole different game from C Stands and combo stands. I would love to see more speed rail rigging on this channel. Always appreciate your videos Luke Seerveld! Thanks
For the last 6 years I've been somewhat of a one man band on set. Working as the DP/Operator, but also the sound guy, grip and gaffer LOL. I just wanted to say thanks for all of the valuable variety of content you share Luke. It has been immensely helpful over the years in helping me wear those many hats and putting a few more tools in my tool belt. Thanks for doing what you do!
I've not come across anything else which provides such clear detail about this systematic approach to rigging for this kind of situation. As always, learned a heck of a lot of new stuff, which always makes my day. Who knew there were so many different clamps? I love the way you don't assume too much prior knowledge and let us see the kit you are discussing in situ so that we can fully understand what you and the team did. Wonderful!
This was one of my favorite meet the gaffer episodes so far! Love the real world application ones like this that build on so many of your previous concept videos!
Your tutorials are like GOLD. So insightful and they always answer all of my toughest questions. THANK YOU SIR!!!! And the additional video links you provided in the description add more depth to your teachings because I get to see the space from a different perspective!!!!
Great video! This is still more advanced than any sort of rig I will be using anytime soon. I yearn for the day when I can relate to these sorts of rigs 👍🏻
Luke you forgot to mention the cutter in front of the octo-bank. From first glance of the overhead grid was wondering why there was a cutter for the skypanels. Then I saw it in shot with octobank towards the end. Helps me understand how one can see the blue light from my question earlier. Without the cutter that blue light would be pointless due to lack of light control. I only recently understood the importance of CUTTING light. I don't recall you have one of those episodes. (Although I see you practice much as in with the hotel interview that had a cutter on the hallway wall.)
You have a sharp eye:) It’s hard to talk about everything... or these videos would be even longer and more sleep inducing. Got it, Cutting Light as a futur topic.
Do you find there to be a dramatic difference between 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" speedrail in terms of durability? Specifically for the purposes of creating overhead rigs or menace arms? I'm looking to invest into some speedrail and accessories, but I can't quite decide between the two diameters and I don't see a lot of people talking about their preferences and why. Thanks in advanced!
Like so many things, it depends on a number of factors. 1. What do the people/companies own that you subrent from most often? Compatibility with your peers can be helpful. 2. How big are your jobs and how beefy do your rigs need to be? If you are working out of a Sprinter van or 2-ton, 1-1/4 should be fine. If you are working out of a 5-ton and find yourself opting for steel pipe from time to time for greater rigidity or longer spans, then 1-1/2 will probably be the better play. Hope that helps!
How do you calculate payload capacity on rigs like this? I looked up the weight for the s60s, ~30lbs + more for the softbox and such. So that would be around 60-70 lbs roughly not including the weight of the speed rails. How do you know how much the Speed C's and clamps can hold? Thank you!
I wish I had a better answer for you, but unlike those who rig larger events and movies using box truss and chain motors, I just have a feel from experience of what will hold and what is too sketchy. And of course you do your best with safeties. I know that’s not a satisfying answer, but that’s what I’ve got. I know enough to know when it’s time to bring in a real rigger😀
Hello Luke. No idea if your still fielding questions (3 years later)...I'm curious for people that don't have I-Beam clamps or come to location day of, those I-beams seem like good rig points for more traditional clamps like cartellinis or studded C-clamps with shims. Would you advise against rigging speed rail to stuff like that?
You can certainly use Cardellini’s and c-clamps, you just have to gauge the slip factor when weight and side pressure is applied. Cardellini’s are great, but they have limits! The main thing is to add safeties to your rigs so there is a second line of defense, so to speak, should the rig encounter an odd force or weight you have not accounted for. There’s a fine line between a solid rig and under or over building it. Overbuilding is not a problem for safety, but I think you know what I mean😀
Hey Luke - fantastic overview! It´s a bit difficult to find this gear or even the names of it in Germany (thinking metric vs. imperial makes it even worse) , since mounting methods are often different. I love the U-Rail clamp/screw pin - what´s it called in your place?
Hey Luke. I'm looking to create a simple overhead speedrail grid for my home office. Any recommendations on starter plates to mount to the ceiling so I can start building a 1 1/4" speedrail grid? Thanks in advance.
The Modern Studio Equipment catalog is probably a good place to start. It depends how far you are able to drop down. There are plates to swivel or fixed clam shell. Or you could do a plate with 3/8-16 thread and come off with speed rail starters so you can drop down and go anywhere. I don’t imagine you being carry that much weight, but finding a way to safety the rig would be good too. Hope that helps a bit!
@@meetthegaffer thanks Luke. Yeah I'm just looking for some starter plates that I can use swivel cheeseboros to create a frame and maybe some cross bars for a top down camera setup. Mostly I'll just be hanging some aputure lights or lightweight LEDS so weight shouldn't be a factor. Small space so I want to keep floor open as possible
Thanks for the great video :) Would you be concerned that there's no opening for a safety pin on the junior receiver? Or is it generally safe enough to just tighten the screw?
I would always attach a safety cable (aircraft cable or rope safety) from the light fixture to another part of the grid. Always have a backup! Hope that makes sense?
Hey Luke! Thanks again for continuing with the great vids. I’m curious, in situations like these, when would you reach for a grid (LCD) for the diffusion? I suppose maybe they just don’t narrow down the light enough. The space was quite tight after all. Rigging skirts is just a PIA! Anyway, would love to hear your thoughts. Cheers!
To do it again, I might try going with one Kino Celeb 850 with a snap bag and snap grid. New Lite Mats or Lite Tiles might work, but I don’t currently own those units. I’ve been holding off jumping into Lite Mats, but they are maybe now a good option with the DMXable controllers. Aladdin Fabric Lights interest me too, because I like the dual use as a travel unit. We’re always weighing the different uses, DP requests, storage, and what will cannibalize the units we already have, right? Good problems to have:)
Isn't that rig a bit overkill for the payload? Would it not have been safe to stretch a couple of long pipe wallspreaders horizontally, with a couple speedrails between them forming a square for the frame, one pipe between those for the lights, and perhaps tie that to another pair of wallspreaders up above it with either rope or vertical rail?
There are a lot of ways to create points. When you’re going to have celebrities under your rig, a little extra ruggedness is probably warranted. Half the fun of this job is trying our new gear and new ways to do things.
I have a long time client in a warehouse space, shooting stills, and this rig would be perfect, thank you! Is there any danger of the pipes slipping over time? Are there any redundant safety measures to prevent this?
It’s a good idea to add safeties whenever possible. We added rope safeties to the square column speed-C’s. You could add aircraft cable safeties to extra c-clamps or actually drill holes for permanent/redundant tie-offs. Checking tightness of all the nuts and screws once a week until you feel no loosening is taking place would be wise.
The budget would be pretty standard. All they are paying for are the lights and the truck... the rigging is included in the basic truck rental. Hope that helps.
Did you provide the pipe or somebody else did? Look like breaking down take a long time and fitting in your 1 ton truck. Setting up is fine with me but I don't look forward to breaking down every time on a gig, haha.
I have a 2-ton, so no problem supplying the pipe and wrapping it back in. Break down is always so much faster than set-up so I look forward to it! Every job brings its own challenges, but that keeps it interesting and worth talking about:) It’s often just a matter of perspective... embrace it!
Great video, thanks for posting. Did you guys get a pre-light day or did you have to load in and light day-of? If so, how long (and how many people) did it take to get the softbox, S30 and Leko all rigged up?
Perhaps, but the video highlighted a collaboration between a local celebrity and the company that furnished the space, so I was asked to refrain from sharing anything beyond talking about the rig. I’ve looked for the footage on the web, but haven’t found it yet:(
Grip’s choice: clove hitch or double half hitch come to mind. Ernie may have an opinion:) If you want to adjust, you could add pulleys and run the ends to a point on floor level.
I use what we call 1 1/4” speed rail. It’s schedule 40 aluminum pipe. The actual OD is not 1 1/4”. Other people prefer 1 1/2” pipe because it is more rigid, but it’s also heavier and takes up more room, so there’s a trade off.
14:33 Quick question. Was the Lustr Series 2 even necessary? From the BTS shot seems like nothing was being casted on the back wall. Unless the cropping included the top shelf. Seems the boom would be in that line of view. (Of course that's not the eye of the camera). Should it have been lower? Or are we splitting hairs? :-) One of my favorite episodes yet. I love rigging ever since your menace arm tut. Happy Friday!
Yes, 1 1/4. The industry standards are either 1 1/4 or 1 1/2. Modern cheeseboros can often work with both, but for the most part it’s good to choose one size and stick with it. I started with a van, so I went with the smaller size. If you have longer runs where the pipe bend makes you uncomfortable, you can double up on the pipe (ladder truss) or triple up (triangle truss) or go with steel pipe. Beyond that there is regular box truss:)
![ประสบการณ์ จ้าง Developer ที่ผมจะไม่มีวันลืม [ภาค1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bzivN4KDg-k/mqdefault.jpg)
i don't know how i've lived without these videos! thanks for sharing all your knowledge!!
This is probably the best rigging video I've seen. I appreciate how in depth you get with the details; from the rig, logistics, hardware, to the tools, you covered everything to the T.
Thanks for another great video Luke.
You are most welcome:)
I was gripping on a short last weekend which was my first time ever rigging lights overhead with speedrail. It's a whole different game from C Stands and combo stands. I would love to see more speed rail rigging on this channel. Always appreciate your videos Luke Seerveld! Thanks
For the last 6 years I've been somewhat of a one man band on set. Working as the DP/Operator, but also the sound guy, grip and gaffer LOL.
I just wanted to say thanks for all of the valuable variety of content you share Luke. It has been immensely helpful over the years in helping me wear those many hats and putting a few more tools in my tool belt. Thanks for doing what you do!
You are very welcome and thank you for your kind words. Glad to be of service.
Thank you for your detailed breakdowns! Very informative.
Always looking forward to your videos
I've not come across anything else which provides such clear detail about this systematic approach to rigging for this kind of situation. As always, learned a heck of a lot of new stuff, which always makes my day. Who knew there were so many different clamps? I love the way you don't assume too much prior knowledge and let us see the kit you are discussing in situ so that we can fully understand what you and the team did. Wonderful!
Thank you, but I do apologize for going on a bit too long...
Personally, I think it's the detail which elevates this content to the category of 'essential'. Can't get enough!
:)
This was one of my favorite meet the gaffer episodes so far! Love the real world application ones like this that build on so many of your previous concept videos!
Thank you, Duncan. I’ll come back this style from time to time.
Your tutorials are like GOLD. So insightful and they always answer all of my toughest questions. THANK YOU SIR!!!! And the additional video links you provided in the description add more depth to your teachings because I get to see the space from a different perspective!!!!
It was great working with you on this Luke! See you soon and keep up the channel!
Impressive rig! Very clear and explicit as always!!
Thanks for the detailed breakdown!
Great video! I love your approach AND all the details of the installation!
I love your work! Will continue to learn more from you sir !
Great video! This is still more advanced than any sort of rig I will be using anytime soon. I yearn for the day when I can relate to these sorts of rigs 👍🏻
It will probably happen sooner than you think... have fun out there:)
Cool tools of the trade.
Thanks for sharing.
Luke- loved the details! I want some of the u-channel clamps!
as always, helpful. thank you for the effort and the sharing. i am an appreciative subscriber. thumbs up.
Luke you forgot to mention the cutter in front of the octo-bank. From first glance of the overhead grid was wondering why there was a cutter for the skypanels. Then I saw it in shot with octobank towards the end. Helps me understand how one can see the blue light from my question earlier. Without the cutter that blue light would be pointless due to lack of light control. I only recently understood the importance of CUTTING light. I don't recall you have one of those episodes. (Although I see you practice much as in with the hotel interview that had a cutter on the hallway wall.)
You have a sharp eye:) It’s hard to talk about everything... or these videos would be even longer and more sleep inducing. Got it, Cutting Light as a futur topic.
Thank you so much Luke
Awesome!! I've been waiting for rigging videos like these. This was insanely useful.
Thanks Luke well done!!
Awesome Rig !
Epic rigging Luke!
:)
Thank you! I learned a great deal.
You are most welcome!
So helpful, thanks alot!
Nice rig man!
The Key Grip, Ernie Kunze, took my plan for the rig and made it better. Always good to surround yourself with people smarter than you are:)
Do you find there to be a dramatic difference between 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" speedrail in terms of durability? Specifically for the purposes of creating overhead rigs or menace arms?
I'm looking to invest into some speedrail and accessories, but I can't quite decide between the two diameters and I don't see a lot of people talking about their preferences and why.
Thanks in advanced!
Like so many things, it depends on a number of factors. 1. What do the people/companies own that you subrent from most often? Compatibility with your peers can be helpful. 2. How big are your jobs and how beefy do your rigs need to be? If you are working out of a Sprinter van or 2-ton, 1-1/4 should be fine. If you are working out of a 5-ton and find yourself opting for steel pipe from time to time for greater rigidity or longer spans, then 1-1/2 will probably be the better play. Hope that helps!
How do you mount a speed rail onto a pair of C-Stands to mount overhead fixtures?
How do you calculate payload capacity on rigs like this? I looked up the weight for the s60s, ~30lbs + more for the softbox and such. So that would be around 60-70 lbs roughly not including the weight of the speed rails. How do you know how much the Speed C's and clamps can hold?
Thank you!
I wish I had a better answer for you, but unlike those who rig larger events and movies using box truss and chain motors, I just have a feel from experience of what will hold and what is too sketchy. And of course you do your best with safeties. I know that’s not a satisfying answer, but that’s what I’ve got. I know enough to know when it’s time to bring in a real rigger😀
thank you!
@@meetthegaffer
Hello Luke. No idea if your still fielding questions (3 years later)...I'm curious for people that don't have I-Beam clamps or come to location day of, those I-beams seem like good rig points for more traditional clamps like cartellinis or studded C-clamps with shims. Would you advise against rigging speed rail to stuff like that?
You can certainly use Cardellini’s and c-clamps, you just have to gauge the slip factor when weight and side pressure is applied. Cardellini’s are great, but they have limits! The main thing is to add safeties to your rigs so there is a second line of defense, so to speak, should the rig encounter an odd force or weight you have not accounted for. There’s a fine line between a solid rig and under or over building it. Overbuilding is not a problem for safety, but I think you know what I mean😀
Hey Luke - fantastic overview! It´s a bit difficult to find this gear or even the names of it in Germany (thinking metric vs. imperial makes it even worse) , since mounting methods are often different.
I love the U-Rail clamp/screw pin - what´s it called in your place?
Hey Luke. I'm looking to create a simple overhead speedrail grid for my home office. Any recommendations on starter plates to mount to the ceiling so I can start building a 1 1/4" speedrail grid? Thanks in advance.
The Modern Studio Equipment catalog is probably a good place to start. It depends how far you are able to drop down. There are plates to swivel or fixed clam shell. Or you could do a plate with 3/8-16 thread and come off with speed rail starters so you can drop down and go anywhere. I don’t imagine you being carry that much weight, but finding a way to safety the rig would be good too. Hope that helps a bit!
@@meetthegaffer thanks Luke. Yeah I'm just looking for some starter plates that I can use swivel cheeseboros to create a frame and maybe some cross bars for a top down camera setup. Mostly I'll just be hanging some aputure lights or lightweight LEDS so weight shouldn't be a factor. Small space so I want to keep floor open as possible
Yup. Modern makes a plate to swivel cheese that should work well.
Hey Luke. Where can I find the u-channel baby clamp? Can't locate it on Filmtools. Thanks for the help!
I purchased mine through our local Expendables house, JCX Expendables. Zack Lipson can hook you up.
Great thanks!
Thanks for the great video :)
Would you be concerned that there's no opening for a safety pin on the junior receiver? Or is it generally safe enough to just tighten the screw?
I would always attach a safety cable (aircraft cable or rope safety) from the light fixture to another part of the grid. Always have a backup! Hope that makes sense?
Thanks for the detailed breakdown. Was a bounced setup considered? Keeping the lights on the ground might have made for a quicker setup.
There just wasn’t room:(
great, thanks
Hey Luke! Thanks again for continuing with the great vids. I’m curious, in situations like these, when would you reach for a grid (LCD) for the diffusion? I suppose maybe they just don’t narrow down the light enough. The space was quite tight after all. Rigging skirts is just a PIA! Anyway, would love to hear your thoughts. Cheers!
To do it again, I might try going with one Kino Celeb 850 with a snap bag and snap grid. New Lite Mats or Lite Tiles might work, but I don’t currently own those units. I’ve been holding off jumping into Lite Mats, but they are maybe now a good option with the DMXable controllers. Aladdin Fabric Lights interest me too, because I like the dual use as a travel unit. We’re always weighing the different uses, DP requests, storage, and what will cannibalize the units we already have, right? Good problems to have:)
Isn't that rig a bit overkill for the payload? Would it not have been safe to stretch a couple of long pipe wallspreaders horizontally, with a couple speedrails between them forming a square for the frame, one pipe between those for the lights, and perhaps tie that to another pair of wallspreaders up above it with either rope or vertical rail?
There are a lot of ways to create points. When you’re going to have celebrities under your rig, a little extra ruggedness is probably warranted. Half the fun of this job is trying our new gear and new ways to do things.
I have a long time client in a warehouse space, shooting stills, and this rig would be perfect, thank you!
Is there any danger of the pipes slipping over time? Are there any redundant safety measures to prevent this?
It’s a good idea to add safeties whenever possible. We added rope safeties to the square column speed-C’s. You could add aircraft cable safeties to extra c-clamps or actually drill holes for permanent/redundant tie-offs. Checking tightness of all the nuts and screws once a week until you feel no loosening is taking place would be wise.
Great video, what does a setup like this price out at? Seems like they had a decent budget for lighting
The budget would be pretty standard. All they are paying for are the lights and the truck... the rigging is included in the basic truck rental. Hope that helps.
Luke Seerveld then are they paying for the hourly/day wage with grip+gaff included within that time?
Sure, labor is separate, but overall there is nothing out of the ordinary here cost wise.
Did you provide the pipe or somebody else did? Look like breaking down take a long time and fitting in your 1 ton truck. Setting up is fine with me but I don't look forward to breaking down every time on a gig, haha.
I have a 2-ton, so no problem supplying the pipe and wrapping it back in. Break down is always so much faster than set-up so I look forward to it! Every job brings its own challenges, but that keeps it interesting and worth talking about:) It’s often just a matter of perspective... embrace it!
Great video, thanks for posting. Did you guys get a pre-light day or did you have to load in and light day-of? If so, how long (and how many people) did it take to get the softbox, S30 and Leko all rigged up?
We got a pre-light day. It took us about 6 hours to get up and ready, and if you add the load in, a walk away lunch, and clean up, it was a full day:)
Is there a way to see one or two framegrabs from the final footage?
Perhaps, but the video highlighted a collaboration between a local celebrity and the company that furnished the space, so I was asked to refrain from sharing anything beyond talking about the rig. I’ve looked for the footage on the web, but haven’t found it yet:(
@@meetthegaffer It's such a shame but totally understand, it's when client confidentiality etc can be such a bummer :-). Thanks as always Luke!!
What is the u-channel mount that you were showing us on this video? Cannot seem to find it.
A few people have asked... I got it thru JCX Expendables (ask Zack). I won’t be able to give you the name until next week... long story.
5:14 Where's the cheeseborough on that left speedrail? Looks like it's just laying there. :-)
Great video Luke. Those skypanels are so heavy. Did litemats ever enter the equation?
We wanted more output:)
Hey Luke! What knots do you typically use to tie the frame to the speed rail?
Grip’s choice: clove hitch or double half hitch come to mind. Ernie may have an opinion:) If you want to adjust, you could add pulleys and run the ends to a point on floor level.
Please elaborate more on how you used the u channel to build out your truck and cart.
That may happen down the road:)
Oh yeah, would love an episode on this.
That was a great deep dive into rigging! thank you Luke! How long did the rig take to put up and take down?
5-6 to put up, 1-2 to take down.
nice!
Where did you buy these clamps?
The I-beam clamps are from Modern Studio Equipment in North Hollywood.
6:47 - "Doo Dad". This must be filmed BT (Before Tchotchke)
Ha, ha!
What is the diameter of your speed rails?
I use what we call 1 1/4” speed rail. It’s schedule 40 aluminum pipe. The actual OD is not 1 1/4”. Other people prefer 1 1/2” pipe because it is more rigid, but it’s also heavier and takes up more room, so there’s a trade off.
How long did the rigging itself take?
In the neighborhood of 6 hours, I think. Came down in less than an hour:)
14:33 Quick question. Was the Lustr Series 2 even necessary? From the BTS shot seems like nothing was being casted on the back wall. Unless the cropping included the top shelf. Seems the boom would be in that line of view. (Of course that's not the eye of the camera). Should it have been lower? Or are we splitting hairs? :-) One of my favorite episodes yet. I love rigging ever since your menace arm tut.
Happy Friday!
It was barely there because the shelving was so tight to the wall, but we gave it the old college try:)
What speed rails do you use?
9:30 - I think I found my answer: 1 1/4
Yes, 1 1/4. The industry standards are either 1 1/4 or 1 1/2. Modern cheeseboros can often work with both, but for the most part it’s good to choose one size and stick with it. I started with a van, so I went with the smaller size. If you have longer runs where the pipe bend makes you uncomfortable, you can double up on the pipe (ladder truss) or triple up (triangle truss) or go with steel pipe. Beyond that there is regular box truss:)
Fun times #LOL
I love your videos but Luke, your title intro music is too loud man!
Doh!