Colours
Gels (less commonly, but more descriptively called filters) are clear plastic sheets held in front of a lantern by gel frames to change the colour of the light. Effects are often subtle in appearance, but key in establishing the mood of a scene. Colours are grouped as to whether they are warm or cold – warm colours include pale pinks and yellows, with cold tending to be blue. "Open white" (written OW or O/W) is used to refer to lanterns which do not have any gel in (this distinguishes lanterns with no colour specified on the plan which may have been missed in error).
Each colour in a manufacturer's range has a unique number (which is often not related to other manufacturer's) and since new colours get added over time, may be unrelated to similar colours. However most manufacturers supply a swatch book which is ordered by colours. Gels are supplied in large sheets or rolls, which must be cut down to the required size. As there can be only very minor variation between two colours, gels should always be clearly labelled and filed to avoid confusion.
The main manufacturers of gel, Lee, Gam and Rosco have a number of ranges available, made of slightly different plastics. HT (High Temperature) for instance is one range designed to be more robust for more powerful lamps, but is not available in as wide a range of colours.
Split gels consist of two (or more) colours butted up next to each other in one frame. Never use normal sticky tape, as it is likely to melt.
Colour Call
For the colour call, each lantern is gelled as specified by the plan. The procedure is:
- Check the colour on the plan
- Determine the correctly sized gel frame for the lantern
- Return the old gel to the file if it is still reusable (not torn or discoloured)
- Check the gel file for a pre-cut piece
- If none available cut a new piece a few millimetres smaller than the frame – either by using a cutting template or round the gel frame.
Whenever you cut gel ensure all pieces are labelled with its number (e.g. L202 for Lee Number 202) with a chinagraph pencil or marker pen. If there isn't gel frame for a lantern, a couple of bull dog clips (though the clips must be attached to the lantern with a loop of wire so it cannot fall) can be used to secure it in place. Using tape results in a sticky residue being left on the lantern. Colour Scrollers
Colour scrollers may be attached instead of a colour frame and consist of a 'string' of about 12 different colours of gel on a roll. The roll is wound so the appropriate colour is in position by small motors controlled by the lighting desk. Scrollers can greatly reduce the number of lanterns required for multiple colour washes, but can be fiddly to set up and noisy. Care is needed when programming to ensure 'live scrolls' (i.e. changing colour whilst the lantern is on) do not occur as rapidly cycling colours is distracting.
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