Movie making tips - lighting

[miker]

Okay, I'm inspired. Or is that just bored at the day job?

Lighting:
If it's a simple short and u dunno what lights to get, all you really need is 1 key and 2 fills, spare bulbs and a reflector.

That translates into 1 x Blond (2Kw, maybe 1Kw I can't remember) and 2 x Redheads (500w). Make sure you get the proper stands and for God's sake if you are out-doors get sandbags and waterproof covers for the heads.

After each setup, rest the bubbles (that bulbs if gaffer-speak) or they may break when you move/pack the lights.

If you must plug a Blond into a domestic house supply, make sure that it it the ONLY thing on that circuit -- or you *will* blow one of the house fuses!!

Get gaffer gloves -- thick leather gauntlet style gardening gloves are ideal. Your hands will thank you when you touch that red-hot barn door...

Have some sort of idea about electrics or get someone who does on the crew. If it's only rated at 13A, that's all ya ever gonna get...

And remember, if u r using car headlights to light at night, pack a pair of jump leads :-)

One last thing: good lighting is worth waiting for.

And remember, a noisy genny will really fuck the soundman off.

[Chance1234]

Pag lights are pretty nifty and handy too !

[Xendar]

Hi Miker,
It's good to see people placing useful info on the message board.

One good alternative to using expensive Redhead lights is to use the portable Halogen lights that can be purchased at places like B & Q, Do It All etc. They only cost around ?10. Is anyone using a solution like this? Does anyone else have any other money saving tips to offer?



------------------
Mark Smith
Neon Films - Low / No budget films in West Yorkshire
www.neonfilms.freeserve.co.uk

[shirt]

For inexpensive reflectors try cardboard and tinfoil or the silly things you put on car windshield to stop the sun

[eddie]

Hmm one thing to avoid, I think, is using a electric torch to light a scene or a face. Torches diffuse the light in a specific way in effect shining concentric circles over everything and it LOOKS like a torch. (more like a torch than a real torch if you get my drift.)
However, believe it or not, using a burning torch (like a juggling fire club) can look fantastic, even on a pitch dark night. But prompt your actors first on where it should be so it is used to best effect. (its not much fun holding a flaming brand under your chin, and trying to act, whilst your eyebrows are going up in flames....)