SCENE 01 / HMI TUNGSTEN LIGHTS
HMI & Tungsten Lights
Professional film lighting for your New York production.
Here is how this works in practice. HMI and tungsten lights are industry-standard fixtures that deliver powerful, steady lighting for film and television production. HMIs produce daylight-balanced output with high efficiency, while tungsten fixtures give warm, dimmable light that stays a staple for controlled interior and studio work.
Here is the short of it. We source HMI and tungsten lighting fixtures in the wattages and configurations your gaffer specifies, drawing from local rental inventories. Our team sets up power distribution planning and makes sure spare lamps and accessories are ready so your lighting setups proceed without interruption.
Capabilities
Lighting Equipment
Professional HMI and tungsten fixtures with complete grip and power support.
Professional Lighting Solutions
Capabilities
Our Process
Lighting Design
Reviewing your lighting needs, locations, and ready power to recommend the right fixtures.
Package Assembly
Building a full lighting package with all needed fixtures, grip, and power distribution.
Prep & Testing
Thorough testing of all fixtures and ballasts before delivery to make sure reliable performance.
Production Support
Tech support, gaffers, and backup gear ready across your production.
On Location
HMI daylight and tungsten warmth from New York lighting houses
Here is how the work lines up. HMI and tungsten stock in New York runs mostly through Eastern Effects in Gowanus Brooklyn — the dominant Northeast lighting and grip house. Eastern Studios Williamsburg, Stockwell Inc., LightWild, ARRI Lighting NY, Mole-Richardson NY, K5600 NY, and Cine Lighting Services, with Bednark Studio covering specialty fabrication.
Our rental team books the full HMI ladder. ARRI M8, M18, M40, and M90 Maxbrute fresnels with electronic ballasts for flicker-free shooting, ARRI Compact 1.2K, 2.5K, 4K, 6K, 12K, and 18K Pars and Fresnels, K5600 Joker2 400/800/1600/2500 Bug-A-Bites and Alpha 4K and 9K Pars for the focused-throw exterior work that Brooklyn rooftop, Hudson Valley, and Long Island Sound shoots demand.
Here is the breakdown. Tungsten stock runs the Mole-Richardson catalogue from start to finish — 20K Big Eye, 10K Big Eye, 5K Senior, 2K Junior, 1K Baby, 650W Tweenie, Mole Wendy nine-light and Mickey-Mole — plus full ARRI T-series Fresnels and Source Four ellipsoidals from ETC for the practical and theatrical builds Silvercup, Steiner, Kaufman Astoria, and York Studios stage shoots favour. Power packs run Lightning Production Rentals, Star Waggons, and Cinelease tow-behind 1200A and 800A units for the high-load Manhattan and Brooklyn exterior days.
Each fixture leaves the warehouse load-tested. HMI ballasts cycled through flicker-free mode at 24, 23.976, 29.97, and 48 fps, tungsten globes checked for re-fire, dimmer curves logged on the Lutron and ETC boards, and Bates feeder, Socapex 19-pin multi-cable, and distro boxes pre-coiled and labelled for the truck loadout.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. IATSE Local 52 gaffers and best boys from the East Coast pool handle the tie-in calculations, ConEdison or NYISO mains planning, and load-bank check before any 18K or 20K fires up on a Manhattan brownstone or Brooklyn Navy Yard stage. FDNY fire-watch forms, the MOME Made in NY permit, and the NYC DOT parking suspension for power packs placement and cable runs all move through our office ahead of the shoot day. NYC's dense-built RF settings demands FCC planning when DMX wireless and Astera CRMX nodes ride alongside the practical fixtures. A 24-hour replacement cycle out of Gowanus and Williamsburg keeps a backup ballast, spare globe, and replacement head on the truck before the call sheet's lunch break.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What HMI sizes do you stock?
We carry a full range of HMI fixtures from 575W through 18K, including ARRI M-series and K5600 Alpha. Most shoots use a mix of 1.2K, 2.5K, and 4K units, with larger fixtures for exterior work or large interior spaces.
Do you provide generators?
Yes, we can arrange power packs sized to your lighting package, from small portable units to large tow-behind power packs for substantial HMI loads. We set up power packs placement and fuel for your production.
What tungsten options are available?
We stock ARRI tungsten Fresnels from 150W to 20K, Mole-Richardson units, and specialty fixtures like Dedolights. Tungsten stays popular for interior scenes needing warm, controllable light.
Can you provide gaffers and electricians?
Yes, we work with skilled New York gaffers and electricians who know both the gear and local power systems. Having local lighting crew makes sure efficient setup and safe operation.
What about power distribution?
We supply complete power distribution including distro boxes, cable runs, and dimmer systems. Our team can advise on power needs and set up tie-ins where appropriate.
Do you offer mixed HMI/tungsten packages?
Yes, many shoots use both HMI (daylight-balanced) and tungsten (warm) fixtures. We build mixed packages and have the gels and correction needed to balance between sources.
Related Services
Productions in New York that need this often pair it with Lighting Equipment Rental and Lighting Modifiers for full coverage. Most projects also draw on LED Lighting Systems and Cinema Lens Kits.
On Set
Need Film Lighting?
Tell us about your lighting requirements and we'll build the right package.