Inexpensive Lighting Kit

[SmokescreenProdsGirl]

Hi, I'm pretty young, so I don't have a lot of money to spend on a nice, new, DV camera (I'm using Hi-8 right now). I just want to know how I can get some inexpensive lighting, without putting so many practicals around that it looks like I'm in a lamp museum.

Thanx a bunch!

~Paige

[Ruthie]

When you have a very small budget, but want big results go with halogen lighting. You can buy cheap halogen lamps (around $10). These lamps are much better that the average house bulb which casts a orange tint or the flourescent which casts a horrible green tint.

Make sure you stick with the same basics, key light, fill, and back. You can use wax paper as an excellent soft filter (be careful it doesn?t burn). Block out any lighting from outside and turn off any other house lights. Mixing of different temperatures is a mistake that any professional will catch quickly. If you are filming outdoors you can use a piece of aluminum foil to reflect for better lighting. Also, you can use indoor lamps, but with colored filters (or cellophane paper works too) to match the color of the day. Those are the basics you can start with.

[Curtin-Parloe]

Hi8 roolz!

I got some Halogens from work, but they were still a bit yellow, so be careful.
How are you editing, BTW?

cheers

paul

[SmokescreenProdsGirl]

I am editing using a program called Studio400 (I am too poor to buy premiere, and I can't firewire anyway, bc of hi8--the only downside). It's not a great program, but the interface is pretty easy to use. Only downsides are my cuts aren't clean, and I can't do fun stuff like animated titles, use sound tracks over different video than it was originally recorded on , etc. Otherwise, it serves my purpose well enough, I guess...I know I could have better, but I'm a poor teenager. Thanks for your help so far, and keep the replies coming! Oh, and another thing--does colored plastice wrap work well as a sub for a gel over the lens? (bc I know pantyhose does)
Thanks, and sorry it was so long!
Paige

[SmokescreenProdsGirl]

I am editing using a program called Studio400 (I am too poor to buy premiere, and I can't firewire anyway, bc of hi8--the only downside). It's not a great program, but the interface is pretty easy to use. Only downsides are my cuts aren't clean, and I can't do fun stuff like animated titles, use sound tracks over different video than it was originally recorded on , etc. Otherwise, it serves my purpose well enough, I guess...I know I could have better, but I'm a poor teenager. Thanks for your help so far, and keep the replies coming! Oh, and another thing--does colored plastice wrap work well as a sub for a gel over the lens? (bc I know pantyhose does)
Thanks, and sorry it was so long!
Paige