Advice needed for Lighting a music video

CraftyClown

CraftyClown

Active member
Hi guys,

We've been asked to shoot a music video next month. The artists are looking for something in the style of Jay Zs 'On to the next one' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM1RChZk1EU

Basically a montage of cool cuts and imagery in black and white. The only real camera movement will be a bit of dollying backwards and forwards.

There is little to no budget and I think I will throw all of that into the hire of a photographic studio and some lighting. I'm just not sure what kind of lighting I should rent to get the best achievable effect?

Our budget is £800. Should I spend more on the studio or the lights? I'd want to get both a decent black and white backdrop to shoot against as well. Does anyone know of any decent studios or locations in London that might be good for this?

Any advice here would be gratefully received. I find it really difficult working to a budget!

thanks

Rich
 
I would suspect your budget is much too small to do what you're describing here. Any formal studio would easily take up all of it, if not more, for a day.

So, I'd find space other than an actual studio and look at some very low-cost lighting gear, because you're going to need part of the budget for other things, too -- not the least of which to feed your crew. Time to get seriously creative.
 
Since your budget definitely won't be enough to get a nice studio. Go ahead put money on the lights and art department.
The main source of lighting is a super soft top light. At 00:52 from Jay-z sunglasses you can see a square frame.
I think it is bunch of spacelights through a 20 by 20 frame (maybe full grid)
For low budget, you might not able to pull off a super wide shot since not enough budget for lighting.
If you can get a deal with rental house, get some space lights and a 12 by frame. That might do the job for the main source.
If your budget and connection is truly limited... try Image 80 through a 4 by 4 frame. Not ideal but it will give you same kind of look of Jay-Z.

This music video is art department heavy so beware of that. Hope this will get you start somewhere with your lighting plan.
 
I would take that money and hire a DOP with lighting who will know how to use it and get you the results you want.
 
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