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Alan Stockdale

Alan Stockdale

Alan Stockdale, owner and director of dynamic and adaptable video and music production company Foundlight Productions, specializes in commercial and documentary work for clients including Google, BBC, and Sony. As a true believer in Litepanels LED solutions, his recent Schneider MOVE Series, made powerful use of Litepanels compact LED panels powered by Anton/Bauer batteries.

For his latest project Alan turned to Litepanels’ brand-new Gemini 1×1 Soft panel to add dynamic lighting effects.

“Litepanels’ Gemini and Astra LED panels are indispensable in my work providing me with a variety of creative options to use light in the most inventive ways,” Alan says. “I’ve had great success with the Gemini 2×1 Soft panel, so when I heard about the new 1×1 version, I knew it would be a perfect fit for a shoot I was planning. I had just six hours to set-up, shoot the sequence and break down the set, so a lightweight, quick-to-rig light was essential – Gemini was the solution.”

After this experience, this highly portable light is going to be my go to choice on many more creative shoots in the future.”

Gemini 1X1 Soft LED panel on set

Just like the ground-breaking Gemini 2×1, the new Gemini 1×1 Soft offers highly accurate white light and full-spectrum color adjustment, together with gel and cinematic effects modes, wireless control, and flicker-free dimming. The great news, especially for independent filmmakers like Alan, is that the Gemini 1×1 Soft brings together all of these features in an incredibly lightweight, versatile, and affordable package.

Alan used the Gemini 1×1 Soft to light a dynamic drumming sequence to showcase the effects and color capabilities of the light.

Placing renowned drummer, Holly Madge in the center of an industrial space, with four Gemini 1×1 lights – linked via DMX – set to flash in rhythm with her playing. Alan rigged one Gemini high overhead and powered it with two Anton/Bauer Titon batteries, he placed another Gemini as a back light and one on each side of the drum set.

Using the Gemini 1x1 Soft to light a dynamic drumming sequence

The high-energy sequence highlights the color and effects modes of the Gemini 1×1 Soft, as well as its wired and wireless control features and flicker-free light for slow-motion capture. As Holly plays into the track her intensity and energy builds. The flashing and colors of the Gemini’s are timed to perfectly match each beat. Alan controlled the overhead light wirelessly using the Litepanels App. The others were daisy-chained using DMX cables and controlled by a laptop.

“We could choose the color and intensity of each light at any given time during the video,” Alan explains. “We used the computer to control the lights at the start of the video. And then, for the more dynamic second half, we set the Gemini’s to party mode, which is just one of the many built-in preset effects in this light.”

high-energy sequence highlights the color and effects modes of the Gemini 1x1 Soft

Alan praised the Gemini 1×1’s responsiveness and range of functionality, including wireless Bluetooth connectivity. “The built-in color presets are great for setting the mood for any scene. And the light is so incredibly lightweight that it was no problem rigging it for the overhead shot,” he notes.

The drummer video ends with a bang, a cymbal strike with a stunning shot of colorful glitter rising up in slow motion. “The Gemini’s flicker-free light really helped us make that final shot pop,” Alan says.

He adds, “After this experience, this highly portable light is going to be my go to choice on many more creative shoots in the future.”

I had just six hours to set-up, shoot the sequence and break down the set, so a lightweight, quick-to-rig light was essential – Gemini was the solution.”

Watch the finished video

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