Example Setups from Major Films

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SomeonemanR

New member
Hey guys, not sure if this has been posted already, my guess is it probably has, but I searched around for and couldn't find it.

Was wondering if anyone had any good knowledge or links to example setups and info on some lighting for some of the better lit movies of today (or yesterday).

Been gaffing for awhile now on an independent production (which basically means just using whatever's available), and looking for our next project to get a much slicker look and style (i.e. more pro).

Any advice or links would be most welcome.

Currently working with an ARRI kit (1000W,650W, 2X300W) as well as some extra low watt bulbs (50-100) at varying color temps.

I know the major difference is the obvious one, budget, but just want to see what the setups look like for Hollywood to get a frame of reference.

Thanks for any and all help,

-Dashiell
Producer/Editor
Late again films
www.breakaleg.tv
 
this is from memory, but in Motion Picture Lighting by Blaine Brown, there are lighting diagrams or pictures of setups for a few major films:

- opening sequence of xmen 2
- night scene of brothers grimm
training scene in confessions of a dangerous mind

It's ridiculous how much lighting they use when sky's the limit on budget.
 
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Yes, how much will this help you when you see a diagram with the side of a hallway lit with fifteen 24ks? I would just buy a good lighting book or DVD, grab your lights and learn it. Lighting is the same and it's all just concepts and principles. A tabletop setup is really no different than lighting up a whole huge set, it's just the size and wattages are different, the concepts are all the same.

I did get to light a set once a few years ago with ten 18ks and I was freaking out at the time. Once I got into it though, a key, fill and separation source is the same no matter the size or power. That's why my favorite thing in the world to light is tabletop. Rather than waiting on crew to move and power up your big lights all over a set and the trial and error, you can do it all yourself because your set is only a few feet long and you can use small, low power lights. I personally feel that anyone who wants to light can learn 80% of the principles of lighting using three 150s, stands, some Cinefoil and C47s, a table, some props, a camera and a monitor, it's all there.

Dan
 
Huh, I'll have to check out that book, thanks.

And yeah, budget is pretty much always the determining factor, but I figure just getting an understanding of a professional set will help to round out my knowledge. I'll have to get a PA job sometime on a big production, just be exposed to it.

Actually just shot a quick scene recently with the redrock, it's crazy how much light that thing eats up, the look is great, but it makes lighting a pain.

Ill probably be posting some screens soon as a new thread.

Quick breakdown of some problems I had though
-spill from lights washing out scene (which leads into the next)
-low contrast between action and background (especially since it's an interrogation scene I was going for heavy contrast and shadows, with the action strongly top lit and the background being mostly dark.)

Anyhoo, that'll be for my next post.

-D
 
for the interrogation scene, you need some blackwrap, or possibly flags. The distance between the table and the walls will also big an issue if you want control how much light bounces off of objects onto the back wall.
 
All good info above.

I will also suggest you get a hold of back issues of American Cinematography magazine and browse through.

There's a book called "Reflections" that has all sorts of set ups by top DPs.

My favorite lighting book is; Lighting, for Film & Electronic Cinematography by Dave Viera, ISBN 0-534-12810-6 this is for learning the basics, a great little book.

Kodak has a nice CD ROM on lighting titled: Art of Lighting for Film.

The table top learning approach is excellent advice. You can also use Oranges for lighting practice on the table top, it's good for accentuating and removing skin textures & remember use dimmers for quick easy intensities. This is John Alton advice.

Get the book, Painting with Light, by John Alton, the Godfather of 1940s film noir lighting.

-enjoy!
 
Awesome, thanks for all the reccomends, I'll have to check those out.

Need to also just beef up my arsenal. Have a fairly nice arri kit, but it's currently not enough (shooting with the redrock eats sooooo much light) and need some better gels, diffusion, and flags to help guide the light.

But I really like the tabletop tests, seems like a great way to practice.
 
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That's the Kodak CD ROM. I used this when I taught a college cinematography class, it was very helpful to both me and the students, -- made my job much easier!

I'd love the see the rest of these DVDs, they look good!
 
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