Candle light shoot advice

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dtzfilms

Well-known member
Hi,
I'm shooting another music video for my friends and the theme is somewhat dark, based around the Hollywood Sign killer, and I'm opting to shoot at night. I don't have any lights, but my friends have some work lights. I'm going for a dark shadowy look during the "power outage" segment, and we're getting a bunch of candles to light up the cabin-decor duplex in the woods. I'm planning to bounce the work lights off the walls, or shine them in through the window to simulate moonlight if I need a few stops of light to get rid of noise. I don't really want to go over 800 iso even though I've seen videos shot as high as 1600iso. I don't have any of these noise removal plugins - might get one, but plan to shoot as if I don't. My voigtlander and Olympus will be seeing heavy time.

I might get them to rent an ARRI 3-head light kit, mainly because though it's tungsten balanced, it has daylight filters that I'm assuming I'll need to simulate moonlight.
This is my first attempt at a shoot like this, so any advice on pitfalls to avoid - much appreciated.
I intend to black balance a lot. I'll also be using my GH2 to supplement. My main concern is getting enough light, but being dark enough - say a 3:1 lighting ratio or even 4:1 without getting noise. Suggestions, advice welcome, cheers. We shoot tomorrow night, June 7th, 2012.



Tea light candles
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50097995/


Colored candles
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/colored-flame-l-98209


Colored candles
http://www.ehow.com/how_6535303_hang-candleholders-cracked-glass.html


http://0.tqn.com/d/fengshui/1/0/6/7/-/-/red-votive.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41mLQLQcrYL._AA300_.jpg
 
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You might want to consider renting a variable dimmer control to help simulate/augment the real candles. This can be done with a manual dimmer aka variac or a more expensive electronic automated one.

-Noah
 
NoahK said:
You might want to consider renting a variable dimmer control to help simulate/augment the real candles. This can be done with a manual dimmer aka variac or a more expensive electronic automated one.

-Noah
Click to expand...
Did some searches, no luck so far. If it's not too much to ask, d'you mind linking me, please?
Cheers!
 
Re dimmers- worse case scenario, go to Home Depot, pre-built or make your own in an electrical box (cheaper).

Just be sure to get sufficient wattage rating for your lights.

I don't have a lot of experience shooting "Lit by candlelight", but imagine a warm fill on the faces would help, maybe with some "flicker" from a reflector with something moved in front of the reflector?

Hopefully you'll get more specific advice, but happy shooting!
 
The best "candle light" setup I have ever seen. 1 650 or 300 w light with a 4x4 ft gel frame infront of it, with CTO full orange inside, taped loosely, a fan was blowing on the gel in the frame creating the "flicker from the candle light all over the room. could work with the "work lights" you have. Make a "gel frame" from wired coat hangers and get some scrap gel from a rental house, a regular house fan and boom- you've got "candlelight" PS. you might want to have some diffusion as well, as those worklights tend to be harsh
 
wasn't my idea kids. I learn so much from other DP's just by working with them. If you are a new shooter GO ASSIST A VETERAN DP (its better than filmschool) - even better GO ASSIST 100 veteran dps, as they all know different tricks. I learn from gaffers as well.
 
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