Lighting Equipment Rental

Here is how this works in practice. Our team builds complete lighting packages with the gaffer: HMI, LED and tungsten fixtures, dimming and control, grip, power distribution and consumables, prepped and tested before delivery. LED units have become a workhorse for Icelandic shoots because they draw less power, run cool and travel well to remote sites. HMIs handle exterior fill and big spaces, and tungsten warms interiors. Core lighting stock comes from the skilled Reykjavik rental base.

Here is the short of it. For larger shoots we supplement fixtures, distribution and specialty units such as balloon and Dino lights from rental houses in the UK and mainland Europe, managing ATA carnet import since Iceland is outside the EU customs union. We set up power because mains is 230V at 50Hz and many locations run on power packs. We plan load calculations and distribution with the gaffer.

Here is the breakdown. Fixtures, cable and connectors are weatherproofed against wind, cold, blowing volcanic grit and glacial meltwater, batteries are conditioned for the cold, and we deliver tested gear with backup units and on-call support so a fault on a distant location does not stall the shoot.

Here is what that looks like on the ground. Iceland's light makes lighting rental central to almost each shoot. A subarctic island on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, it gives near-24-hour daylight under the Midnight Sun in June and only four to five hours of weak light in midwinter, so fixtures are constantly either extending a scarce day or balancing an endless cool one. Locations span controlled Reykjavik stages at RVK Studios in Gufunes, historic turf-house interiors, and exposed exteriors at Thingvellir, Myvatn and the Highlands, each with different power and weather demands.

Here is how the picture comes together. The country runs on close to 100 percent renewable geothermal and hydroelectric power, so mains where ready is clean, while remote sites need power packs and the Highlands open only in summer via F-roads needing 4x4 super-jeeps. Productions including 'Game of Thrones', 'Interstellar' and 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' have lit across these landscapes, and with Film in the country reimbursing 25 percent of eligible costs, rising to 35 percent for larger qualifying shoots, an efficient lighting package supports both the look and the budget.