SCENE 01 / HMI TUNGSTEN LIGHTS
HMI & Tungsten Lights
Professional film lighting for your Mexican production.
HMI and tungsten lights are industry-standard fixtures that deliver powerful, consistent illumination for film and television production. HMIs produce daylight-balanced output with high efficiency, while tungsten fixtures offer warm, dimmable light that remains a staple for controlled interior and studio work.
We source HMI and tungsten lighting fixtures in the wattages and configurations your gaffer specifies, drawing from local rental inventories. Our team coordinates power distribution planning and ensures spare lamps and accessories are available so your lighting setups proceed without interruption.
Capabilities
Lighting Equipment
Professional HMI and tungsten fixtures with complete grip and power support.
Professional Lighting Solutions
Capabilities
Our Process
Lighting Design
Reviewing your lighting requirements, locations, and available power to recommend the right fixtures.
Package Assembly
Building a comprehensive lighting package with all necessary fixtures, grip, and power distribution.
Prep & Testing
Thorough testing of all fixtures and ballasts before delivery to ensure reliable performance.
Production Support
Technical support, gaffers, and backup equipment available throughout your production.
On Location
ARRI M-Series HMI and Mole-Richardson Mexico tungsten heritage stock through CFE-coordinated power
Here is how this works in practice. Mole-Richardson Mexico's multi-decade CDMX inventory anchors the Mexican tungsten pool. This covers heritage Mole 10K, 5K Senior, and 2K Junior Fresnels alongside ARRI T-series 12K, 5K, and 2K Fresnels at Cine Equipos, Lemon Studios, and 3 Equipos rental houses. HMI inventory leads with ARRI M-Series M90, M40, M18, and M8 day-flood fixtures plus ARRI L-Series tungsten-spec LED Fresnels for transition coverage. K5600 Joker 800/1200/1600 par fixtures handle the cross-border LA flow alongside Joker-Bug 400/800 for narrative work echoing Spectre's CDMX Day of the Dead opening and Sicario's Sonora desert sets.
On the ground, mexican grid power runs 127V/60Hz residential and 220V/60Hz industrial — identical to US grid frequency (60Hz, not Europe's 50Hz) and matching US plug Types A/B, so HMI ballasts shipped from LA via Tijuana same-day delivery need no frequency conversion and no plug adaptation. We set up Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) tie-in permits for productions needing direct grid connection at studio or location power. Plus Aggreko Mexico, Cummins, and Caterpillar genny rentals for off-grid exterior work in Sonora desert, Yucatán Maya jungle, and Durango Western terrain.
Here is the short of it. Heritage-location lighting decisions reflect INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) compliance at federally protected zones. This covers Teotihuacán, Chichén Itzá, Palenque, Monte Albán, and most CDMX centro histórico cathedral interiors prohibit HMI and tungsten fixture mounting on heritage stone, needing low-heat LED replacement (ARRI SkyPanel S360, Orbiter, DMG Maxi or Quasar Q-LED tubes) and freestanding sandbag-anchored stand placement. Apocalypto's Yucatán Maya jungle workflow and Spectre's Zócalo wide-procession coverage both ran through this low-impact protocol.
On the ground, Day of the Dead candle-rig + cathedral interior packages combine practical taper-candle workflow with hidden LED-spec fill — Mole-Richardson Mexico stocks the historical practical inventory while ARRI SkyPanel S60 provides the sensor-friendly fill spec. Cross-border productions following the Pearl Harbor, Master and Commander, and Titanic Fox Baja Studios (Rosarito Baja California) deep-ocean tank pattern bring their own ARRI Max 18K and 12K SkyPanel stock via Tijuana 12-minute commercial border crossing; we set up CFE tie-in permits and Aggreko genny pre-positioning at Fox Baja, Estudios Churubusco, Lemon Studios, Argos Comunicación, and Estudios Tepeyac stages.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What HMI sizes do you stock?
We carry a full range of HMI fixtures from 575W through 18K, including ARRI M-series and K5600 Alpha. Most productions use a mix of 1.2K, 2.5K, and 4K units, with larger fixtures for exterior work or large interior spaces.
Do you provide generators?
Yes, we can arrange generators sized to your lighting package, from small portable units to large tow-behind generators for substantial HMI loads. We coordinate generator placement and fuel for your production.
What tungsten options are available?
We stock ARRI tungsten Fresnels from 150W to 20K, Mole-Richardson units, and specialty fixtures like Dedolights. Tungsten remains popular for interior scenes requiring warm, controllable light.
Can you provide gaffers and electricians?
Yes, we work with experienced Mexican gaffers and electricians who know both the equipment and local power systems. Having local lighting crew ensures efficient setup and safe operation.
What about power distribution?
We supply complete power distribution including distro boxes, cable runs, and dimmer systems. Our team can advise on power requirements and coordinate tie-ins where appropriate.
Do you offer mixed HMI/tungsten packages?
Yes, many productions use both HMI (daylight-balanced) and tungsten (warm) fixtures. We build mixed packages and include the gels and correction needed to balance between sources.
Related Services
Productions in Mexico that need this often pair it with Lighting Equipment Rental and Lighting Modifiers for full coverage. Most projects also draw on LED Lighting Systems and Cinema Lens Kits.
On Set
Need Film Lighting?
Tell us about your lighting requirements and we'll build the right package.