HMI & Tungsten Lights

Here is how this works in practice. HMI stock across Australia centres on the Munich-built ARRI M-Series and the older L-Series tungsten Fresnels — M8, M18, M40, M90 daylight units with electronic ballasts, paired with T1, T2, T5, T12, and T24 tungsten Fresnels. K5600 Alpha and Joker-Bug HMIs sit alongside for portable daylight. The larger Arrimax 18/12 and Compact 12/18 cover exterior fill across the Pilbara and outback locations.

Here is the short of it. Cameraquip, Lemac, Panavision Australia, and Light & Sound Industries Brisbane all hold matched-pair sets calibrated for 240V/50Hz Australian mains — the same standard as NZ and the UK, distinct from the US 120V/60Hz that needs step-up transformers for any cross-border kit. Standard Type I three-pin plugs run through every distro box, with Powerlock and Camlok tie-ins for higher-amp builds at Disney Studios Australia and Village Roadshow Gold Coast stages.

Here is the breakdown. Power planning matters more in Australia than most countries. Outback shoots through the Pilbara, Kimberley, and Red Centre pull generators from Cummins Australia, Caterpillar Australia, Aggreko Australia, and Atlas Copco — same vendors that service the mining sector and carry deep regional inventory. Tie-ins for urban Sydney stages run through Ausgrid; Melbourne stages tie through AusNet Services; Queensland through Energex; WA through Western Power.

Here is what that looks like on the ground. Safe Work Australia and ACT WHS Act compliance covers every electrical fitting, with licensed Australian electricians signing off any tie-in above 32A. Heritage productions running HMI and tungsten kit on Australian floors include Matrix (Fox Studios Sydney, Bill Pope ASC), Star Wars II + III (David Tattersall BSC), Mad Max: Fury Road (John Seale ASC), Aquaman, Thor: Ragnarok, Elvis (Mandy Walker ACS ASC), and Furiosa. Cross-border NZ stock from Auckland Camera Hire ships in three Qantas hours.