HMI & Tungsten Lights

Here is how this works in practice. We source HMI and tungsten fixtures — from compact units to large-format heads. From the set up gear-rental market concentrated in Zagreb, building packages in the wattages and configurations a gaffer specifies. Croatia's light shapes the lighting plan: the Adriatic coast delivers intense, high-contrast Mediterranean sun in summer, so daytime exteriors at Dubrovnik. Split or the islands often call for big HMI output to balance, fill or shape against that ambient base, while tungsten stays the staple for warm, dimmable interior work.

Here is the short of it. Our team sets up power distribution planning around each fixture package and keeps spare lamps and ballasts on hand so a blown head never stalls a setup. Where a production needs more lighting stock than the in-country pool holds, fixtures move freely by road from rental houses in neighbouring Italy. Slovenia, Austria and Hungary, since Croatia is in the EU single market and the Schengen area with no carnet needed for that EU transport.

Here is the breakdown. Croatian mains power runs at the EU-standard 230V/50Hz. This our team factors into ballast selection and distribution so imported and local fixtures run safely together. Non-EU shoots importing their own lighting clear ATA Carnets through Croatian customs, mostly via Zagreb Airport, with Split and Dubrovnik airports serving coast-based units.

Here is what that looks like on the ground. Weather is a planning factor for lighting on the Adriatic: the strong bura and jugo winds load up any fixture flown on a stand or rigged overhead on exposed shoreline and island setups, so we plan ballast, rigging and safety conservatively in wind, and coastal humidity and salt air near the sea factor into how heads are staged. Lighting kit hire from Croatian vendors counts as qualifying spend under the 'Filming in Croatia' incentive administered by HAVC, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. A 25 percent cash rebates on eligible Croatian spend, rising to 30 percent in less-developed regions.