DJ uplighting vs Lighting for Video

[Nemesis TS]

I am getting married soon and want to uplight my reception. The DJ wants several hundred dollars to do this. I was wondering if I could buy lights that could be used to uplight the Medium size reception room and then use them as part of a lighting kit for movie making.

I looked into some PAR 64s from American DJ. They look like I could use them on a set.
I would like to do a stop animation set in my garage and could maybe use the lights for that later, or use lights for any indoor/outdoor movie project.

Am I way out of line here? Can you suggest some lights that I could do both with and feel better about parting with sooo much cash. Or if I am asking way too much of inexpensive lights?

Even thought about some of these:
http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Lil-Big-Wonder-Black-50-Watt-MR16-Mini-Spot-Light__52249.html

The room has tall ceilings and a chandelier. I would like to shine a light or two on the chandelier for a nice effect.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Huy Vu]

For a reception room, you're gonna need some serious lights, probably HMI. That 50w light you linked to will be pretty much useless in such a space. Might as well just pay the guy to do it since there's just no way any inexpensive fixture is going to be enough.

 

[Nemesis TS]

My DJ wants 50 bucks a light, I can buy the lights for 40 here:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/American-DJ-PAR-64-Package?sku=810113

I could turn around and sell them for 20 or 30 bucks and still be ahead of the game. I doubt the DJ has HMIs. He's not cheap without lights either a little over a grand, for 4 hours.

 

[Huy Vu]

That link you show doesn't include any stand, which can easily cost more than the lights. And you're paying for labor. If he's using the same lights as the one you link to then yea you can just buy a few yourself and do it. It's really just a matter if whether you want to drag all the lights out, set them up and then clear them out on your wedding day. It just seems like you would have more important things to deal with.

 

[RyanT]

Pay the guy, get married, call it a day. That's my thought at the moment.

Is it just to light things up, or will he get them on a lighting board for you and do some fancy dimming at the appropriate times? If you can buy the lights and still have him do his usual thing and pay less, you could definitely go that way. Those par 64's are great lights and I've been wanting to buy some myself for a while. I don't know though, like Huy was saying it could get a little complicated. Is there somewhere where you can rig the lights? If not, you need to buy tv to motion picture adapters for all of the lights...(about 15 bucks for each light.) Then you need to buy the stands and probably some sand bags wouldn't hurt you, depending on how high up they're going...

So you know, some hidden costs. Just try and think it through before you tell the DJ that you don't need his gear. Plus...the guy probably does it all the time. It's not so much the lights, but knowing how to use them in an effective manner.

 

[zijital]

If you're really just wanting the room brighter & want to save money, get a bunch of these:
https://www.hardwareworld.com/Halogen-Worklight-500-watts-pTVE2FT.aspx

I've gotten them as cheap as $6 at the local hard ware store. 500watts of light, with 8 lights & you'll be able to make most rooms pretty bright (though you might blow the fuses too).

But mostly I'm going to agree w/ most of the guys above, you're paying the DJ so you have one less thing to do. Weddings are stressful, & from going to a lot of friend's weddings I can say with confidence that you want EVERYTHING that can be done before the day of the wedding, 100% DONE before the day of the wedding.

Now if you have an uncle, or brother that is into lighting & would love to take over this task, then that is an option. Otherwise if you want the lights, pay the DJ, if you don't want to pay, then bring a stereo.

 

[Huy Vu]

If you're really just wanting the room brighter & want to save money, get a bunch of these:
https://www.hardwareworld.com/Halogen-Worklight-500-watts-pTVE2FT.aspx

I've gotten them as cheap as $6 at the local hard ware store. 500watts of light, with 8 lights & you'll be able to make most rooms pretty bright (though you might blow the fuses too).

I really wouldn't recommend these lights as they get VERY hot. Eight of them in a room will make it unbearable after a few hours not to mention it's dangerous for the guest.