While John's advice is spot-on, as it unwaveringly always it.... it is also advice that can be a little hard on the wallet.
I'm a huge fan of Kinos and use them often... however KinoFlos
are quite darn expensive, and the hardware-store variety of shop-light flos can be had for about $15.
If budgets aren't an issue, YES, go for the Kinos. But you say you're working for a not-for-profit, and I know they rarely have deep pockets.
I will admit (shhhh!) that I have used Home Depot fixtures in the past, especially for wall-washing... and I think there's one or two on the other side of our building on our stage right now. A few years ago we bought a few for a particular zero-budget project... and put Kino tubes in them and re-ballasted them so they were silent and flicker free (
and dimmable). We even painted the outsides black so they didn't look
completely like $15 shop lights. Yeah... they still look cheap and flimsy (which they are), but for an inexpensive permanent install I have to begrudgingly admit they work fine.
T2
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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
