Wireless smart relay for remote control of lamps, motors, effects — used on some sets for automated lighting or crew automation. Budget-friendly DIY.
On smaller productions and in independent filmmaking, the Sonoff relay is appearing more and more frequently—not as professional lighting equipment, but as a practical remote control solution for effects, background lighting, or motorized props. The device itself is an inexpensive smart home relay that is controlled via WLAN or radio and can thus switch electrical circuits. For shooting, this means you can turn a light on or off from the camera or the director's monitor without someone having to physically walk to the object—especially valuable for hard-to-reach positions or for shots requiring immediate lighting changes.
The application on set is pragmatic: a Sonoff is connected between the power outlet and the light, the smartphone app or a WLAN controller is configured, and that's it. Especially on low-budget productions, it replaces expensive wireless dimmer systems or complex lighting rigs. For example, you connect an inexpensive LED panel, and the director can brighten or dim the background lighting for extras live from the set—without your electrical team needing to be on site. Effect motors, small fans, or even smoke machines can also be switched with it.
However, there are clear limitations: Sonoff relays are not specified for continuous load and professional requirements. The delay between the radio command and the actual switching is in the tenths of a second range—unsuitable for smooth dimming effects. For critical synchronization shots or when timing is crucial, you need parallel analog backup. Furthermore, the devices are not explosion-proof and not calibrated for harsh set conditions. A damp or hot outdoor shoot can lead to connection dropouts. The WLAN range is limited, and if multiple sets are transmitting simultaneously, interference will occur.
In practice, Sonoff works best as a supplement, not as a primary system—for background effects, for extras' lights, or for quick test setups. Professional productions with real budgets use DMX-controlled systems or wired solutions; here, Sonoff is only used in niche cases. But for student films, web content, or indie shoots, it is a proven compromise between functionality and cost savings.