Hauling 6 K HMIs into a 600-year-old courtyard? Welcome to the tight-rope world of a China grip crew. Historic venues—from Beijing’s Hutongs to Suzhou’s gardens—offer jaw-dropping visuals but strict preservation rules. Follow these grip-and-gaffer guidelines to keep heritage officials happy and your footage looking cinematic.
1 | Permit Prep & Site Rules 📝
| Key Task | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Load-in schedule | Many UNESCO sites allow gear moves only 06:00-08:00 to avoid tourists. |
| Weight limits | Marble bridges & timber floors often cap load at 250 kg per span. |
| Colour-temp restrictions | Some temples ban >6 000 K fixtures to protect murals. |
| No touch zones | Rope-off points where stands or cables may never rest on ancient stone. |
2 | Low-Impact Rigging Essentials ⚙️
| Grip Tool | Historic-Safe Use | Day Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Matthellini + 12″ baby plate | Clamp to modern railing; never drill surfaces | $ 8 |
| MSE Menace Arm Kit | Cantilever 2 × Aputure 600X over fragile flooring | $ 65 |
| 8 × 8 UltraBounce + Hi-Lite | Soft key without scrim shadows | $ 45 |
| Floor spreader boards | Distribute C-stand weight on antique tiles | $ 5 |
Pro tip: Tape foam “dance floor” squares under every stand foot—heritage inspectors love this extra layer.
3 | Gaffer Light Choices 💡
| Scenario | Fixture | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mural interiors | Aputure 300X (bi-colour) + DoPchoice 3×1 softbox | Low heat, <2 000 lux on paint |
| Twilight courtyard | ARRI SkyPanel S60-C on battery | RGB-W lets candle-light gels without genset noise |
| Roof-beam bounce | 400 W HMI PAR + ¼ CTS | Punchy yet ≤5 000 K per monument regs |
4 | Cable Runs & Power Safety ⚡
- Hide cables above eye-line—use existing beams, never drape on carved stone.
- Rubber ramp protectors for pathways; wood planks are banned in many gardens.
- Gensets—if allowed, place outside perimeter walls; pipe exhaust 3 m away from timber eaves.
5 | Communication Hacks 🗣️
- Teach crew to shout “收光!” (shōu guāng = “lights cutting”) rather than “striking”.
- Keep bilingual safety cards on every stand explaining load rating in simplified Chinese.
- A china grip crew member should brief temple staff on fire-watch duty—extinguishers & sand bucket spots.
6 | Hidden Costs to Budget 🕵️
| Item | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Heritage inspector overtime | ¥ 1 000 / h after 18:00 |
| Security escrow deposit | ¥ 10 000 – 30 000 refundable |
| Restoration fund (if paint touched) | Case-by-case; avg. ¥ 8 000 |
Quick FAQs 🔥
How early must I lock my china grip crew?
Book 4–6 weeks ahead for UNESCO sites; inspectors review rigging plans.
Can I fly drones for top lights?
Rarely—heritage airspace bans drone lifts. Opt for menace arms or Condor cranes outside walls.
Are RGB fixtures always allowed?
Yes, if spectral peak <6 000 K. Supply fixture spec sheets in permit packet.