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Trying to find ‘cookies’ lighting accessory
Hi,
I’m trying to duplicate an effect featured in the short video below, in which I believe they used cookies to cast shadows on the background. I particularly like the irregular, interesting shadows, as opposed to more specific ones such as geometric shapes, tree branches or window blinds (as this is for a corporate-type video). I’d appreciate any advice on how to procure or make a lighting accessory to achieve this look. I need one that’s heat-resistant if possible, as the fresnel tungsten lights I’m using get extremely hot. Here’s that sample video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGuEWGIXqI0
Thanks very much,
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5 Replies
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That’s the original standard old-fashioned wooden “cookie”… I belive you can still get them from FilmTools, among other places. Or you can make your own, I recall seeing a downloadable pattern on line, use thin plywod or masonite and cut it with a jigsaw.
T2
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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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Honestly, if you want a background similar to the one in the picture…
Just get a roll of Cinefoil. (essentially video aluminum foil that’s solid black)
Get a stick like object. (pencil will do fine).
Roll off enough foil to cover the front of your light fixture – and stab it randomly with the stick.
Mess around with the edges of some of the holes to make them more random.
Clip it with a C-47 (clothespin) close to a defocused fresnel or similar diffuse light that doesn’t cast hard shadows.
You’re done.
If you don’t like that pattern, do it again until you’re happy.
This. Not. Rocket. Science.
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Bill’s right, there are easier ways to do this.
But if you do want to do it the old-fashioned “Hollywood way”…
https://www.filmtools.com/24x36wocums1.html?gclid=CL-YwKi59LsCFeHm7AodKikAEA
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I saw someone use one of these cookies… maybe ten years? The last time I saw one period was about five years ago, in its slot on a grip truck. Didn’t look like it had been used in a while.
Also, pretty darn expensive for what you get, if you ask me.
T2
__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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I do it the same way Bill does, with cinefoil and a bic pen.
You could also use a video projector to shoot any kind of pattern you can dream up.
A classic method, if you have a Source Four Junior Leko, is to spend 50 or so bucks to get an M pattern metal gobo ( a little larger than the old Kennedy coin) from Rosco to slip into the light’s filter slot. The Leko has more power than a video projector.
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Thank you very much for these great suggestions, Bill, Todd and Mark! I’m going to try the cinefoil approach Bill suggested first, thanks Bill. I greatly appreciate all this specific, helpful feedback.
Neil
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