Lighting a Skate Ramp (aka is this a good idea)?

[SynTv]

Hey everyone, just posting for some advice regarding a shoot im doing next Tuesday.

It's a music video, first one, and we've mapped it all out and everything, but I just need to make sure my lighting designs aren't ridiculous.

Basically, I'm planning on having the band in the middle, with two Cheapo Bunnings/Home Depot Worklights up the top.

The only other things I have in my kit are 2x large white relfectors (4 square meters each, with foil on the other side) and a small 500w halogen floorlamp.

(Please see attached image for a better idea)

Additionally, I'm filming on a DVX, at night, and would like to uprez in photozoom pro after shooting in letterbox.

Now, uprezzing presents a problem, in that we are filming at night, and I am worried that while the center stage area may be exposed enough to avoid any video noise, the edges of the shot frame (any part of the screen which captures area outside of the actual ramp) will contain dark areas filled with video noise. Is there a particular camera setting I can use that will cut dark areas down to total black so as to avoid ugly noise when uprezzing?

Also, the worklights are 2700k I think. Is it safe to just white balance against them (considering no other lights are around) and then just add filters in post in order to achieve particular effects?

I would go out simply test these things, but regrettably there is no power at the site until I roll up with my generator next week. And i really dont have the money to rent one twice (if i did, i wouldnt be using substitute lighting).

Finally, the skate ramp is a gungy steel, with some relfectivity.

So? Tips, suggestions? Insults?

 

[Cheesesailor77]

Basically, I'm planning on having the band in the middle, with two Cheapo Bunnings/Home Depot Worklights up the top.

The only other things I have in my kit are 2x large white relfectors (4 square meters each, with foil on the other side) and a small 500w halogen floorlamp.

(Please see attached image for a better idea)

that will work, but i can't imagine it looking very good. first of all, why can't you buy soome more worklights. They're only about $30 bucks for a pair on a stand and 1 or 2 more pairs would do you very well. If not, at the very least move the two you have to the corners of the ramp instead of the middle. That will give you a little bit of key and back light that should look a little better than just lighting from the sides. I'd take that floor lamp and put it behind them for more backlight. I'm still concerned that 1000w isn't going to be enough for this though.

Additionally, I'm filming on a DVX, at night, and would like to uprez in photozoom pro after shooting in letterbox.

Now, uprezzing presents a problem, in that we are filming at night, and I am worried that while the center stage area may be exposed enough to avoid any video noise, the edges of the shot frame (any part of the screen which captures area outside of the actual ramp) will contain dark areas filled with video noise. Is there a particular camera setting I can use that will cut dark areas down to total black so as to avoid ugly noise when uprezzing?

First of, don't shoot letterbox. If you have an anamorphic adapter, use it. Otherwise shoot 4x3 and matte in post. mark guidelines on your LCD.

Secondly, its a music video, why are you bothering uprezzing it?

As for the noise, crush your blacks in post and the noise will disappear. The thing you have to be careful about when crushing blacks is loosing detail in the dark spots, but that seems to be exactly what you're trying to do, loose the noise in the night sky.

Also, the worklights are 2700k I think. Is it safe to just white balance against them (considering no other lights are around) and then just add filters in post in order to achieve particular effects?

yep

Finally, the skate ramp is a gungy steel, with some relfectivity.

yikes. This is extremely risky to not do any tests before hand, I would figure out how to one way or another.

 

[SynTv]

1. Actually, it's really 5x500w worklights. The worklights have two stands with 500w each, so there's 2500w plus some relfector boards. Im pretty sure there will be enough light. I dont want to add another set of lights because I need to run 70 metres of power cords to a nearby BBQ which has a power socket built in.

2. Why don't I want to uprez because it's a music video? What difference would that make?

But apart from that, you're right about key lighting I hadnt thought about that. What if......


What if I put one light in the back right upper corner of the skate ramp, one in the front left ground level, the floor lamp on the front right ground? That would provide a decent balance between Key and Fill with a powerful backlight.

Or would that look horrible too?

 

[korimickster]

I also don't see why you would want to uprez the video...

Chances are it's going to be on people's MySpace pages or on YouTube.

 

[Cheesesailor77]

i understand its 2500w total, but I'm still afrias that won't be enough. but do what ya gotta do. if it means getting the light closer, then sure, move your key off of the ramp. I'd still put your floor lamp behind for as much backlight as possible, plus, you dont want a lot of light cominf from both sides as you ruin your contrast. I don'y understand how you plan on implementing the reflectors?

 

[tigeba]

I know this seems like a crazy idea, but since you are employing the magic of video editing, you could just move the lights depending on the scene. Move the lights in for close shots of the band, move them back out or over to one side depending on the situation. If you actually are going to have skaters on that ramp, I think it is pretty likely that someone will end up destroying your lights, or the band, or both

 

[SynTv]

I know this seems like a crazy idea, but since you are employing the magic of video editing, you could just move the lights depending on the scene. Move the lights in for close shots of the band, move them back out or over to one side depending on the situation. If you actually are going to have skaters on that ramp, I think it is pretty likely that someone will end up destroying your lights, or the band, or both

This cunning suggestion was touted last night amongst friends and has resulted in much more storyboard work.

I also don't see why you would want to uprez the video...

Chances are it's going to be on people's MySpace pages or on YouTube.

I can get this on Tv in my area without much fuss. More then once. Possibly on different channels. Plus, I want the practice.

i understand its 2500w total, but I'm still afrias that won't be enough. but do what ya gotta do. if it means getting the light closer, then sure, move your key off of the ramp. I'd still put your floor lamp behind for as much backlight as possible, plus, you dont want a lot of light cominf from both sides as you ruin your contrast. I don'y understand how you plan on implementing the reflectors?

Yeah. Ok I've scrapped the original lighting setup and have gotten hold of an extra grip for all the different setups.

But ill still have to keep the lights up top for some shots because its the only way I can get any back light for side on shots within the ramp (because of the ramp walls).

Ill see if i can get hold of another power source for an additional light.