Cree LEDs are used to light up this iconic scene in horror film Harbinger Down. (Photo Courtesy of Cree)

Offering low power drain, less heat emission and higher portability, LED lighting technology is taking over the filming industry, allowing for new possibilities in production techniques and better viewer experiences. As the highest grossing sci-fi/horror Kickstarter project of their time, Harbinger Down, which hit Netflix in December 2015, delivers unbelievable effects by utilizing a Blackmagic Cinema Camera 2.5K and Cree LED lighting technology, creating a dramatic and realistic visual experience.

The LEDs used to light this dim lit room casts eerily dark shadows in certain corners of the compact space.(Photo Courtesy of Cree)

“We used the TW Series Cree^® LED Bulb on the set of our upcoming film and were so impressed with the drastic improvement in the way colors looked on film—from the actors’ skin tone to the set and props—the color popped much more than other lighting we’ve used before,” said Alec Gillis, Hollywood director of the film Harbinger Down. “With a vibrant light and high CRI, using a bulb Like the TW Series— at home or on the set — improves color accuracy and lets you see colors as they were intended to be seen.”

TW Series Cree® LED Bulb used to light up the movie scene turned off (top picture) and on (bottom picture). (Photo courtesy of Cree)

Due to the way LEDs use pulse-width modulation to light, a modulation technique used to encode a message into a pulsing signal; the producers needed fixtures that wouldn’t cause flicker or strobing, especially when going into different frame rates. The TW Series Cree LED Bulb performed during tests to meet these needs while providing accurate, natural light. Lens-light flash lights, which feature Cree LED components, were also used.

The movie poster of Harbinger Down. (Photo courtesy of Studio ADI via Kickstarter)

As an added bonus, the LED lighting helped the set stay cool for actors who were dressed in winter coats and hats (by emitting less heat than traditional technologies).