First real film

[Nogert]

Ok so i'm planning my first real short film, I have a script ready and everything else is ready apart from one thing, some good lights.

Now there is a place in the UK called B and Q qhich is basically homedepot, i'm mainly going to be shooting in doors where the lights will be used and there not all massive areas some are quite cramped so what would you reccomend light wise?

I'm not looking for anythign professional just somethign that does the job that can be picked up for a store.

 

[cardmaverick]

Years ago when I was starting out, I bought about 8 medium screw base clamp lights. I'd highly recommend getting some of these and outfitting them with the highest wattage bulb you can get (I used 200-500 watt bulbs).

 

[filmat11]

If this room has table or floor lamps, you might consider changing these bulbs for a higher wattage if the fixture can handle it.
Using the Halogen "work lights" has always been a popular...errr., well..necessary light to use on no budget film projects. But these lights, unless used for a certain effect, are not know for being an attractive light to use for most projects.
There will be people that will say "I shot 4 movies with them and I am really happy with the results". And when I started out, I used them too. I even still use them for a "special" or when nothing else will provide that type of light I'm looking for.
All that said, you will need to soften them (DIFFUSION), be able to control the light source with barndoors(Blackwrap or Cinefoil..or worse case aluminum foil)Have something to bounce them into..(foamcore,gatorboard,white matte board)And you might want to look into dimmers as well. a 500 or 1k light in a small room may prove to be 'Overkill". If you diffuse your light source, keep the diffusion at least a foot away from the bulb.Especially with Halogen type bulbs. I love the light you can get with a cheap,frosted shower curtain liner... Hang it in front of your light, say at least, 2-4 feet from the surface, and the light is very soft and very nice. You may need to keep light from spilling out the sides .
You can also buy shop lights that use Fluorescent bulbs- 2 or 4 bulbs that are 2-or 4 foot in length, and purchase bulbs that are "Full spectrum" or have a light temp of 5000 kelvin or slightly higher. These have a cooler burn, as far as heat is concerned. There are many bulbs for these to choose from, and in close quarters, they can prove to be very effective and efficent. Chinese (white paper or nylon) lanterns are a wonderful light that you can find in import shops. I would go to your version of home depot, and find ceramic fixtures that will handle up to 660 watts, and use a 250 watt, tungsten or daylight balanced bulb in a lantern that is at minimum, 18inches in diameter. If it's a 12 inch diameter lantern, I wouldn't go over 100 watts. a lighting specialy store should be able to find these for you.
Some (still) photographers, use these in table top setups where they copy other photos or things out of books.
Good luck.