Experimental lighting?!

J

Joschka

New member
Hello,

since I own the Canon 5D Mark II which doesn't need a lot of light to give decent results, I wondered if anybody came across some new ways of experimental lighting. I will shot a music video next month and the budget won't be very huge. So I am looking for some cheap ways to light a scene in an artistic, experiental way - do you know what I mean?
What I was thinking about was...

1)...using a projector and a screen with some crazy After Effects animations close to the band in a dark room. Has anybody done this before? How are the results?
2)...using a stroboscope. How is this gonna look on a 5d? Should I use a fog machine with it as well?

But apart from that I'm still looking for other ideas (on how to create experimental lighting for a music video without a big budget) and I am pretty sure someone in this community will have some. ( ;

Generally: I used to let my DoP do all this thinking, so I am ABSOLUTELY new to lighting. Please consider this when you write a reply.



Thank you!

Joschka
 
I would suggest doing some lighting test. its hard to give ideas I don't know what sort of lights you have access to?
One more question did the band give you free range in what it looks like or did they give specifics? As for the projector it should show up get a screen either project it from behind the screen or right behind the band I've never used the 5d so I don't know its capability's very well but normally for film or digital video you have to back light your fog or smoke.

You could either fill the whole frame or get it to float like only on the ground which would give a horror feel sorta. The stroboscope you should have no problems with and would look great with a little bit of aerial diffusion (a small even layer of fog) Ya really I could give ya more ideas with more info. Where are you shooting? How big is the space? If the band told you some ideas what were they or did they give you free range? What lights and equipment do you have access to etc. Hope this helps and I look forward to your reply.

Ken Keeler
 
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Hey Ken,
thanks for your reply!
Apart from having to keep an eye on the budget I have complete creative freedom. The band trusts me. ( ;
We are planning on shooting in a small club (maybe with a small crowd). But I'm still thinking about this. Another idea was to shot outside during night (is there any way you could use the stroboscope/fog setup outside?), but I'm not sure if this is going to work.

For my last project we used dedo lights and a lot of other stuff and living in Hamburg I have access to quite a lot of lighting equipment. But I am not familiar with all the lights I could rent and all the people I worked with are only doing short films (with regular lighting, nothing experimental you know?) so they can't give me a lot of advice.

Thank you!

Joschka
 
No problem!
Nice well sounds like good stuff you can have a lot of fun with this, ok nice the club scene would be cool you would be able to contain the fog more. as for outside the fog is still possible you would have to rent a big cine fog machine that can pump out fog like no other ha. but if there are trees or buildings around the area it would stay around longer than if you were in an open field or what not. so from the fact you used dedo light I'm guessing the 5d doesnt need alot of light which is good. Hmm well lets see if i were to be shooting in the club I would definatly use the stroboscope and fog then I would probably give a semi strong back light to the band, just for the club effect. where out side would you shoot because you could do alot of cool stuff outside I know it seems like I'm beating around the bush but with full creative freedom, and access to many lights the possibilitys are ENDLESS! the only thing holdin ya back is your budget so maybe to help you do you have specific question, or an idea I could help you form into something more solid ha im more then happy to help!!
 
What about this scenario: A 2kW fog machine and a 1,5kW stroboscope - would that be suitable for shooting outside in an open area? And another stupid question: What kind of aggregate (for electricity you know) do I need to even get them running outside?


I really appreciate your help!

Joschka
 
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