Astera lights Love Island France in SA
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Paris-based director of photography (Florian Sinopoli works worldwide on various TV shows and series, and last year also lit Celebrity Love Island in South Africa for producers ITV Studios. He initially specified the Asteras, although Blond Productions’ owner Christiaan Ballot was already considering making an investment in the brand after numerous recommendations, “It was really just a question of awaiting the right moment,” he explained.
The Asteras were supplied by Johannesburg-based distributor for Southern Africa, DWR, and delivered straight to site in Cape town.
Florian explained that lighting the house and the Islanders was not a straightforward task. He was looking for a very naturalistic tone and style with all the right levels and texturing to look good on camera, just as if people were in their own home environments. “It sounds like a simple thing to achieve, but believe me, it’s not!” he declared.
There were also specific areas like the swimming pool, lake and the stunning gardens that needed special lighting to ensure they looked their best on camera. In fact, around 50% of the lighting in the house was sourced from standard commercial retail outlets . . . and the rest was created using conventional film and Tv lighting fixtures and treatments.
For Florian, having a wireless fixture like the Astera Titan Tubes or AX3s to hand is a “must” in this scenario.
Not only can you put lights virtually exactly where needed without the restrictions of cables, the great thing is that “the Astera batteries are properly long-life,” he says, adding that they will go for 12-13 hours without needing a re-charge, especially when not on 100% all the time.
He also likes being able to control them from a phone or tablet using the Astera App, which is incredibly useful, and then also, when needed they can be DMX controlled via a lighting console.
Looking after lighting in the Love Island villa after Florian left were gaffer Eldridge Jacobs and Blond’s own gaffer, David Nhlanhla, who worked with a crew of four lighting technicians from Blond.
As it turned out, with the sudden spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, filming had to be cut short. They managed to shoot a special finale episode just before the lockdown was imposed and wrap the series.
(Jim Evans)
