Suspension Constructions for TV and Film Studios
By Victor Burdin

It is generally known that in TV and cinema production the light setting is one of the most important elements of filming process organization. Times when in studios primitive lamps were suspended on wooden beams and water pipes are far behind. On the contemporary filming areas powerful lamps that are impossible to be used without reliable and comfortable fastening are used.

The main problem of almost any studio (big and small) is the shortage or absence of free space. The decoration elements, filming and operators equipment and mass of other technique take the square. For luminariers fastened on common tripods usually simply there is no space. Optimal way out in that case is use of suspended constructions. Except for any luminariers on them can be suspended backgrounds of rear projection, screens, deflector blades, decorations and when it is necessary even pan heads with self-control and video cameras.

Main advantage of suspension systems (and at the same time main requirement to them) is compactness and universality. They shouldn't stuff the operating area, obligatory provide free access to all of the facilities (for setting of additional accessories and service conduction) and simplicity in light control. However qualified choosing of suspension brackets is not easier business than choice of lamps and projectors. The variety of produced by numerous companies' components, load-carrying elements, accessories, brackets, adapters, etc is too wide. Projecting and fixing of suspension systems is usually done by specialized companies and corresponding departments of large companies that serve the enterprises of video industry.

One of supplier of such services is "D&K Corporation". The company offers many variants of network facilities distribution in the studio or film studio. Experienced engineers on the base of developed components of domestic and foreign manufactures (Manfrotto, IFF, GTL, ADB, and Strandlight) developed suspension systems: girders, carriages, pantographs, telescopic extenders, different type brackets, etc. Based configurations are sorted out to correspond maximum to typical conditions and tasks of light setting in TV and film studios of different categories. Any of these configurations can be quickly modernized according to customer needs like premise parameters, peculiarities of electric power network, ventilation, existing luminariers, etc. Automated system of three-dimensional projecting of light complexes implemented by "D&K Corporation" specialists allows to reflect the result on the monitor's screen in three-dimensional projection instantly and to print the draft with specifications.

Ianiro pantograph suspended on tube tracks

Tubes and tracks connection

Telescope fixation by means of cart moving along track

Depending on the studio class (its sizes, assignment, funds, inverted in the equipment) there can be applied suspension constructions of different types. Below are the based variants of suspension constructions.

The set Tube Kit-07 Universal based on the bars of circular section (tubes) are oriented on small-budget studios of general square 10...30 m², where not were active work is conducted (small regional cable studios). On two carrying bars with the help of clamps are fastened crossbars, which allow changing angle in the plane. For suspension of the facilities and accessories are used carriages, clamps and pegs. If it is necessary telescopic extenders and pantographs can be used. Tube Kit-07 Universal construction is good for distribution of Ianiro Power Kit-07 Universal luminarier set, but, of course, it can carry other facilities of the same type. It has the height of 3 m and provides minimum operating area of 5x5 m. In the set are included five pegs for facilities, two carriers and two stationary bars of circular section of 3 m length each.

The set Double-T Kit Studio 100-06K on the base of railing system is assigned for big studios with active filming work and often decoration change. On two carrying rails with the help of carriages are fixed stationary rails that can change the angel in plane for more flexible operation with luminariers. In the construction can be used different stationary carriages, telescopic extenders (loading up to 12 kg) and pantographs (loading up to 40 kg, length up to 6 m). Double-T Kit Studio 100-06K construction is assigned for operation with Ianiro Studio 100-06K luminary set or analogous luminarier. When the height is 3 m the minimal operating area of 7x5 m is provided. The standard integration includes seven carriages for facilities, railroad of 6 m length, and for stationary rails.

Rail systems cost nearly twice as much as analogous systems based on bars of circular section. But they repay themselves, as they are more universal and mobile than rails of stable bars. The rail system provides an opportunity of further widening of construction area. Facilities suspended on the rails can be moved without dismantling at all the direction on large territory. In the construction based on bars of circular section the universality is limited by small choice of objects for brackets fastening. For example, the bars of Firenze group have only one type of fastening (F29), and rails have four (F16, F29, M16 and M29). That limits the weight of objects that can be suspended on the bars.

Suspension cart for tube track with locker

There exist three main rail types. First one is fixed directly to the ceiling and used as carrier for the entire system. Second one is assigned for average weights (up to 300 kg). Third one is assigned for local loading of up to 500 kg (for example, for suspension of gas-discharge lamps of 5...10 kW power).

For moving of luminariers in vertical plane pantographs, telescopic bars and extenders are used.

For telescopic bars and control poles in "D&K Corporation" sets is used mainly lime of IFF mark. The models vary in length (bars are 44...235 cm, poles are up to 740 cm), possible loading (1,5...40 kg), fastening type (F or M), and also presence or absence of autobalancing. Say that IFF 3248 bar with length of 85...203 cm carries only 1,5...12 kg of useful loading (M28 - M16 fastening), but has comfortable autobalancing function, which allows automatical fixation of facility on chosen height and IFF 3840 of 13...200 cm length, which is assigned on 40 kg loading in the necessary position can be fixed only by hands.

Lighting devices on telescopes

Studio telescopic extenders (elegant facility if compare, for example, with pantograph) allows fastening facility so that the bracket itself will be almost unseen. That can be used if the studio panorama foresees luminarier getting into the shot. Telescopic bars can be suspended on motorized carriages, which simplify their moving along the studio territory in horizontal plane.

Due to that simplicity and economy telescopic facilities mainly are appropriate for equipment suspension working on the panorama (background) suspension in news studios and where there is no need in constant changing of luminarier height.

Pantographs have the same functions as telescopic extenders. However they are more effective in work as they provide an opportunity of more flexible regulation of luminarier height and are different in big universality. In the sets of "D&K Corporation" are used three types of pantographs: mechanic, with hand control and motorized.

Pantograph's bottom part

Mechanic pantographs differ by the presence of autobalancing what allows fast and quick distribution of luminarier. Through the center of pantograph steel rope passes, which allows suspension of cargoes of 1...12 kg weight (maximum loading with the help of special springs can be enlarged to 18 kg). The fastening construction that resemble scissors increase suspension stability. These pantographs can be recommended for small and medium studios.

In pantographs with hand control (Pole Operated) autobalancing is replaced with hand mechanism of lifting/lowering. That hardens the work, however such models are assigned for big loading (up to 40 kg). For production of fastening scissors in such pantographs are used special metal blade that provides an opportunity for pantograph to support more heavy cargoes. Field of application of hand pantographs is rather wide (almost any studios). Rope jointing can increase maximum length of such pantographs.

D&K Corporation's suspension system fragment

More universal in operating is motorized pantograph. It provides flexible regulation system of luminarier position, allows operating with equipment of up to 40 kg weight with high accuracy of positioning, quickness and, so to say, naturalness. In its construction are used double ropes for lifting and lowering of facilities and also fastening scissors to provide the suspension stability.

Operating of motorized pantograph can be controlled with the help of optional remote controls (lifting/lowering). Limit switcher (holder of save diapason) also equips it. That allows controlling lowering and lifting of equipment with the help of working pole also remote through wire connection with central panel.

Sets of suspension constructions offered by "D&K Corporation" differ in universality and can carry not only luminariers but also other studio equipment. These systems allow receiving necessary studio lightning with minimum time spending, simplify work of light designer and change the filming area into the contemporary and technologically perfect production.

"D&K Corporation".

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