Flag (lighting)
Encyclopedia
A flag is a device used in lighting for films and photography
. It is an object used in a shot to block light
, provide negative fill, or avoid light flare from light sources just outside of the film frame
. Their usage is generally dictated by the director of photography, but the responsibility for placing them can vary by region, usually devolving to either the gaffer
and electricians or the key grip
and lighting grips. They are usually several square feet in area and mounted on C-stands or overhead rigs. Most "industry-standard" flags consist of a square wire frame wrapped in black duvetyne
, which minimizes any reflected light and keeps the flag lightweight. However, given smaller budgets or extenuating circumstances, virtually any opaque object can be used to flag light.
A smaller variant with an articulated arm, colloquially known as a French flag, is occasionally attached to the movie camera
at the discretion of the focus puller
solely for the purpose of blocking light flares which the matte box
and its accessories cannot reach.
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
. It is an object used in a shot to block light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
, provide negative fill, or avoid light flare from light sources just outside of the film frame
Film frame
In filmmaking, video production, animation, and related fields, a film frame or video frame is one of the many still images which compose the complete moving picture...
. Their usage is generally dictated by the director of photography, but the responsibility for placing them can vary by region, usually devolving to either the gaffer
Gaffer (filmmaking)
A gaffer in the motion picture industry and on a television crew is an electrician that can be head of the electrical department, responsible for the execution of the lighting plan for a production. Gaffer, outside of the motion picture industry, is a traditional British English word for an older...
and electricians or the key grip
Key grip
In the United States and many parts of the world in film-making, the key grip is the head of the grip department and chief rigging technician on the set. Using light, he or she is in charge of the shadows of light, the movement of the camera, the placing of cameras on any stationary, moving,...
and lighting grips. They are usually several square feet in area and mounted on C-stands or overhead rigs. Most "industry-standard" flags consist of a square wire frame wrapped in black duvetyne
Duvetyne
Duvetyne is a twill fabric with a velvet-like nap on one side. It may be woven from cotton, wool, or—in rare cases, mainly in the early 20th century—silk...
, which minimizes any reflected light and keeps the flag lightweight. However, given smaller budgets or extenuating circumstances, virtually any opaque object can be used to flag light.
A smaller variant with an articulated arm, colloquially known as a French flag, is occasionally attached to the movie camera
Movie camera
The movie camera is a type of photographic camera which takes a rapid sequence of photographs on strips of film which was very popular for private use in the last century until its successor, the video camera, replaced it...
at the discretion of the focus puller
Focus puller
A focus puller, or 1st assistant cameraman, is a member of a film crew’s camera department whose primary responsibility is to maintain image sharpness on whatever subject or action is being filmed....
solely for the purpose of blocking light flares which the matte box
Matte box
In still photography and video, a matte box is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare...
and its accessories cannot reach.
See also
- Best boyBest boyIn a film crew there are two kinds of best boy: best boy electric and best boy grip. They are assistants to their department heads, the gaffer and the key grip, respectively.- Job responsibilities :...
- Clothespin
- Dolly gripDolly gripIn cinematography, the dolly grip dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly. The individual places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders. If the dolly has a moveable vertical axis, such as a...
- Film crewFilm crewTelevision crew positions are derived from those of film crew positions.A film crew is a group of people hired by a production company for the purpose of producing a film or motion picture. Crew are distinguished from cast, the Actors who appear in front of the camera or provide voices for...
- Gaffer
- Gaffer tapeGaffer tapeGaffer tape, gaffer's tape, gaff tape or gaffa tape is a strong, tough, cotton cloth pressure sensitive tape with strong adhesive properties. It is used in theater, film and television productions as well as during live performances and any other kind of stage work...
- ScrimScrim (lighting)A scrim is a device used in the film and television industries, as well as by photographers, to modify properties of light. There are a variations on types of scrim, depending upon its use, whether with natural light, or on man made light sources...