Large open-face reflector fixture with high wattage — produces hard, direct light without a Fresnel lens.
Technical Details
The light source operates with an MSR 2500W/2 discharge lamp at an operating voltage of 200-250V. The ellipsoidal reflector with a 20 cm diameter concentrates the light onto a variable beam angle between 12° (spot) and 60° (flood). The housing measures 45 x 30 x 25 cm with a weight of 8.5 kg without ballast. The separate electronic ballast weighs an additional 12 kg and features DMX control and dimming functions from 50-100%. Modern variants like the Mighty Mole Plus additionally offer flicker-free operation for high-speed recordings up to 10,000 fps.
History & Development
Mole-Richardson developed the Mighty Mole in 1987 in response to the growing demand for compact yet powerful HMI lights for exterior shots. The first generation still used magnetic ballasts; from 1995 onwards, the switch to electronic control followed. The breakthrough came in 1998 with the integration of hot-restrike technology, which enabled immediate reignition after a power outage. Since 2010, LED variants with comparable light output have been available.
Practical Use in Film
The Mighty Mole primarily functions as a key light for exterior shots or large interiors. Steven Spielberg used several Mighty Moles for the dinosaur scenes in "Jurassic Park" (1993) to ensure consistent lighting at different times of day. The compact design allows for use in hard-to-reach locations – for example, for car scenes through the windshield or in confined sets. The hard light character usually requires diffusion through softboxes or silk frames for portrait shots.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to the smaller Baby Mole (1000W), the Mighty Mole offers 2.5 times the light output at only double the weight. The larger Senior Mole (5000W) produces more light but requires a 32A power supply instead of 16A. Modern LED alternatives like the Arri SkyPanel S360-C achieve comparable values with lower power consumption and variable color temperature, but cost three times as much. Tungsten alternatives like the 2K Baby Senior are cheaper but produce 3200K light and significantly more waste heat.