creating an overcast day

Mr._Showstoppa

Mr._Showstoppa

Member
I have a story that I want to shoot. Is there a trick of any kind or any filter i should buy that could turn daylight into an overcast day? Reason i ask is because half of my film is to be set on an overcast/gloomy day.

You can never plan on nature, i was just wondering if there was a trick or filter out there to give me that look?
 
That's pretty damn hard.

The big difference is that you'll get very harsh light on a bright day and very diffused lighting on an overcast one. You can problably fake the diffusion if you keep your shots tight, try to put silks in front of your actors right out of the frame line, desaturate your color, and perhaps lower the contrast. However, none of this will work in the wide shots (or probably even in mid shots).
 
Short answer, not with filters, as even though you can blow out the sky fairly easily, you aren't going to have the even light of an overcast day. What you can do is get a bunch of very large white sheets, make a very large frame to use as a giant diffuser for all of your talent shots, Other than that, just wait for over cast days, or shoot in Seattle :)
 
Yep. Get your hands on some silks. If you can get your hands on a giant frame (what we call a "butterfly" where I'm from) and silk, grab it and don't let go. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had one of those immediately available to set up.
For tight shots you can use smaller silks on C-stands, but for anything wider, you'll need the butterfly. And even that can prove useless for some medium and all wide shots.
 
The "butterfly" is a pricey Matthew's frame that's available for rental in major markets (B&H sells 'em as well). Problems with those or similar frame & fabric systems: you need to get 'em overhead, yet not have stands in the shot (they can also be rigged from trees or buildings). Wind can be a nightmare with them, too.

Lots of motion and still shooters have DIY versions; usually a PVC frame and a white fabric that's sheer or at least not super dense. I've seen nice ones made from aluminum bars. (I have a set of Wescott Scrim Jims, but they max out at about a 6' square; butterflies go up to 10' or 12' if memory serves).

You can also try the "Freytag Scrim", which is just roping up a big square or strip of fabric with no frame. You'll need trees, architecture, or roadsigns (or some big stands) to do that. Get creative, plan for wind...
 
Try shooting in Seattle(?). Otherwise, a butterfly is your best bet. The problem is that the butterfly will only cover so much area. You'll have to watch your framing and backgrounds.
 
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