The Strahlen Story
In December 2012, founder Andy Waplinger, an independent filmmaker and entrepreneur, decided that it was time to upgrade his equipment and make the jump to LED lights. Shortly after he began researching what options were available, he came to three very important conclusions about current LED lights: they're prohibitively expensive, poorly made, and aren't easily modified.
Armed with his years of experience with electronics, film, and light, and a passion to create a better solution, Andy set to work exploring the expansive world of LEDs. After several hours of research and recalling his hours working on the hot sets of several projects, including Showtime’s Weeds, he quickly realized the potential of his idea.
His lights would be:
After dozens of hours, several late nights, and many, many cups of coffee, Andy had finalized his parts list and established connections with component suppliers. In less than three weeks from the initial idea, all of the necessary parts were making their way to him in San Diego, CA.
The components starting arriving piece by piece:
Armed with his years of experience with electronics, film, and light, and a passion to create a better solution, Andy set to work exploring the expansive world of LEDs. After several hours of research and recalling his hours working on the hot sets of several projects, including Showtime’s Weeds, he quickly realized the potential of his idea.
His lights would be:
- Affordable for independent filmmakers
- Well-constructed from sturdy aluminum
- Useable with a plethora of light modifiers
After dozens of hours, several late nights, and many, many cups of coffee, Andy had finalized his parts list and established connections with component suppliers. In less than three weeks from the initial idea, all of the necessary parts were making their way to him in San Diego, CA.
The components starting arriving piece by piece:
Andy wasted no time tearing apart and stripping the old lights housings that were being repurposed for the prototypes:
Little by little, the lights started to come together until, finally, the prototypes were finished: a tungsten-balanced, a daylight-balanced, and a bi-color model:
After delivering the units ordered during the campaign, Andy set his sights on the next step for Strahlen - taking everything that he had learned about design and manufacturing from the ST-100 and starting over.
The new light unit is currently in beta development after having already gone through 3D printed alpha development. It will feature an all-new design that's smaller, lighter, stronger, and brighter thanks to both CNC machining and custom-designed electronics.
The new light unit is currently in beta development after having already gone through 3D printed alpha development. It will feature an all-new design that's smaller, lighter, stronger, and brighter thanks to both CNC machining and custom-designed electronics.
In the midst of this, Andy (and obviously Strahlen) have jumped coasts and moved to Boston. But Strahlen is still alive and kicking and will continue moving forward. Along the way, a great number of people have supported Andy and Strahlen. Strahlen wouldn't be here without their time, effort, and support. Thank you all so much, and we hope that you'll continue to provide support as we push forward.