Which Orbiter attributes did you like most? Can you share an example of its usage that surprised you?

Some of the attributes that I liked most were the classic RGBW features, such as the multiple paths to achieve color. From emulating filters with a base color temperature to using HSI values and even RGB values. However, what stands out for me is the wide color gamut that this LED fixture achieves. I found the user interface to be very user-friendly and comfortable. The accessory “mounting” system was a real find. When combined with domes of different sizes, I believe it becomes a powerful tool. Combining dome sizes allowed me to adapt to different spaces and replicate the same lighting effect for VFX along with other more artisanal techniques.

With the Orbiter, I could navigate the set amongst the characters with a light that not only fulfilled the technical requirements, the complexities of VFX, and the client's requests. It also allowed me to work relatively easily with something as intangible as the “personality or behavioral trait” of a fantastical element that would later be digitally added to the image and play a leading role in the series. Before the Orbiter, it might not have been as easy, and I might not have been able to solve it without further constraining the shooting process.

While it is an artifact of sophisticated technology, what I appreciate is that it has a design that not only performs excellently but also offers multiple configurations. Usually, these two aspects do not go hand in hand. As a cinematographer, what I find most valuable about the ARRI Orbiter is that it is an extremely versatile and malleable light source that allows me to arrange and combine light attributes as I wish.