Portable power generator used on location to supply electricity to lighting and camera equipment when no mains connection is available.
Technical Details
Film gennies typically operate with diesel engines, generating three-phase alternating current through rotating generators. Compact 5 kW models weigh approximately 120 kg, while 100 kW trailer gennies can reach up to 3,500 kg. Modern inverter gennies produce clean sine wave power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion – essential for sensitive camera equipment. Sound-dampened variants achieve noise levels below 65 dB(A) at a distance of 7 meters. Fuel tank capacities range from 25 liters (8 hours of operation at 5 kW) to 500 liters (12 hours of operation at 100 kW).
History & Development
Portable generators became established in Hollywood from the 1940s onwards with the increase in location shooting. In 1963, Mole-Richardson developed the first generator specifically designed for film sets, featuring multiple 220V outputs. In the 1980s, Honda and Yamaha revolutionized the market with compact inverter gennies. Since 2010, hybrid systems with lithium batteries have emerged for silent recording.
Practical Use in Film
On "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), twelve 200 kW gennies supplied the desert locations with power for HMI lights and camera equipment. Standard workflows plan for a 20-30% power reserve: for 50 kW consumption, a 65 kW genny is scheduled. Gennies enable complete lighting control far from civilization, but they generate vibrations that can be transmitted to cameras through the ground. Fuel consumption and noise emissions require careful site selection – at least 50 meters distance from microphones during dialogue scenes.
Comparison & Alternatives
While gennies offer continuous power supply, battery systems like Bebob V-mount batteries only cover low-power consumers. Mobile fuel cell generators operate almost silently but cost three times as much as conventional gennies. Where mains power is available, CEE connectors (32A/63A) can replace the genny entirely. Hybrid systems combine 50 kW gennies with 100 kWh battery packs for noise-sensitive scenes – the batteries provide up to two hours of silent operation.