Early Prototypes of Lightweight, Fabric-Backed Lights Being Used on This Season of Chicago Fire

Industry veterans Chad Soderholm and Lori Allen wanted to create a set of portable, lightweight, bright and virtually no-profile production lights that could supplement, and in some cases replace, the hot and bulky lights that clutter sets of every size and production. The Chicago-based company has developed a range of pro-grade, battery-powered LED lights with a novel fabric backing that lets them be held, tossed on the floor, hung, draped or even strapped to a lighting tech, before being rolled up like a beach towel for easy storage. 

"The RagLites are great lights," says Tony Lullo, a gaffer for Chicago Fire who is currently using the full Cine line in production of Dick Wolf and NBC's latest hit. "They fit in tight spots and are flexible and broad enough to wrap around your actors." 

The flagship Cine line is available in three sizes and in Tungsten, Daylite or Hybrid Kelvin temperatures at 95 CRI. A ruggedized prosumer line, RagLite Fusion, boasts water-resistant backing and a slightly lower CRI. Each RagLite Cine comes with 12V DC power supply, a number of hand, arm and body straps, and Velcro D rings for hanging. 

Even though early production models are already in use on the set of Chicago Fire and other film and commercial shoots throughout Chicago, Soderholm and Allen have turned to crowdsourcing to fund production of the Cine and Fusion lines for a wider customer base. Some 6% of RagLite's crowdfunded campaign will also go toward the company's nonprofit, the Love&Lite Foundation, which aims to bring practical light sources to some of the 13 billion people in the developing world without electricity.

A compact 6 x 6 inches and weighing under 3 ounces, the RagLite Cine Mini comes only in Tungsten and Daylite but would be a great kick or accent light in an extremely tight shooting setup, like those inside vehicles or in small rooms. The Cine Mini currently lists for $295, but RagLite is offering a launch special of $222. 

The 17-inch x 17-inch Cine 1x weighs just over a pound and is only a quarter inch thick, making it a versatile fill light, at about 5232 lumen output, in most standard setups. Several can be combined for more coverage and it includes one 8000mAh portable battery and charger. Listing for $1450, it is on sale for $1088.

Cine 2x, a larger version of the 1x with the same profile, is aimed at most studio or location setups and boasts 10464 lumen output. It retails for $2450 and is on sale during the launch for $1838. Both the Cine 1x and the Cine 2x feature a flicker-free dimmer.

The RagLite IndieGoGo campaign will run until December 1. If funding is achieved, the company says it plans to begin an "early bird" production run in January and February 2015, hoping to ship early orders by March. RagLite sources components internationally but asssembles the lights in its Chicago facility.