Equipment
Cameras
Most feature films produced in Sri Lanka are shot on 35mm Cinemascope. Almost all commercials are produced on 35mm standard formats if not on Video.
Unfortunately Cameras and Lenses are not available off the shelf - like in America or Europe. Individual equipment suppliers in Sri Lanka have a basic Camera set-up with Camera body, 5 or 6 standard Prime Lenses , a couple of Zooms, standard filters in each Camera Package. There is a wide selection of Arriflex III’s and Arriflex 435’s and Arriflex 535’s available from India (some 435 owners have now upgraded to Ultra Primes in India).
Lights, Grip & Sound
Lights – There are a couple of rental houses in Colombo - Sri Lanka that work predominantly for foreign crews filming in Sri Lanka. There is a selection of HMI’s - PARS, FLICKER FREE AND NORMAL - 16, 12, and 8 KWs from India. 6KWs and below plenty - though Pars & Flicker frees are limited. TUNGSTEN LIGHTS - 10KWs, 5KWs and below - plenty KINOFLOS.
Grip Equipment – High end Grip packages are usually hired from India. Grip packages come with crew. In terms of equipment from India, there are Akela Cranes, Panther Dollies, Elemak Cranes, Phoenix Crane with hot head and Jimmy Jibs with hot heads. There are also Giraffe Cranes and a Super Panthers available.
Apart from Indian equipment we also equiped with most of these equipment to make the cost reduce on your project.
Steadicams & Operators – There are a handful of steadicam operators in Mumbai and Chennai (India).
Generators - Plenty of ordinary generators up to 125KVA. Silent/blimped generators up to 125KVA.
Sound - Plenty of Nagras, also quite a few Dats with good microphones available. There is a handful of highly recommended Sound Recordists with international exposure working with foreign films crews coming to Sri Lanka as well as live broadcasters like CNN, BBC etc.
