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Lighting for Film |
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The subject of lighting for film is one that could fill an entire book. It’s a very important part of the overall film project and is handled by the best lighting designers in the business. But, if you're just starting out, or want to know the basics, what should you know? To start off, lighting a feature is different from corporate or commercial projects. For a corporate project, we would set up the lighting first and then place the subjects within it. When lighting for a feature, you light for the script. This is a good place to start. But what does it really mean? It really translates to this: when you get the script, you must read it carefully. If storyboards are available, make sure you take a look at these too. Get with the director to talk through the scenes and to determine the feel and location. After doing this, you are ready to determine what equipment you will need to light each location. Figure out what each location will demand for shooting in terms of the particular aperture setting and match that output to the lights that you will use. Keep in mind, if the shooting schedule is tight and the budget is minimal, the quality of the lighting cannot be sacrificed. Plan a look from the start that will accommodate your resources. Work with the director to find a way to make it work. The bottom line is to be prepared for the unexpected. You'll need at least 8,000 – 10,000 watts of tungsten light to start with for a "no" budget feature on mini DV and at the very least a 3-ton grip truck with an extensive tungsten package for a low budget feature shot on HD. In addition, you'll need power distribution at each location. 8,000 Watts of light will need at least 4 - 20 amp circuits. Rent a generator if necessary. Also, be sure to determine what daylight fixtures you'll need and the grip equipment you'll require for both indoor and outdoor locations. On sunny days, you may need butterfly silks, along with 4’X4’ silks to diffuse the sunlight. Use shiny boards to reflect it. Be prepared! On an overcast day, you may need to rent HMI lighting. When lighting a blue screen, the screen should be at least 4 feet behind the subject and lit with an even soft source. Light Meters The Light KitChoose lighting that will last, a kit that you can build from and not need to replace. It's important to buy quality equipment from the start; you can always add to it later. Lighting and grip equipment hold their value (unlike cameras and computers). Providing ContrastWhat affects the contrast of a scene? The distance from light to subject. The further away the light is from your subject, the flatter and more muted your tones. Don’t set up lights for a master shot at the back of a room and then zoom in to fill the frame for a close up under the same lighting. Definitely re-set the lights closer to your subject as the camera moves in. If you follow some of these basics for film lighting techniques, you'll be well on your way to lighting it right!About Angstrom Lighting Angstrom Lighting offers the best stage lighting, theater or theatrical lighting, concert lighting, dj lighting, video lighting, party lighting, event lighting and lighting rental fixtures, lighting supplies, lighting equipment, lighting design and lighting education in the industry. Angstrom Lighting is located in Hollywood, California; additional information can be found at http://www.angstromlighting.com Click Here to see Additional Angstrom Lighting Articles Click
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