Inexpensive yet reliable work lights for lighting a backdrop...

B

blando3

Well-known member
I am working on a project which requires lighting a large white backdrop. We've been renting lights from a local grip/electric house, but the client wants to save money on rentals.
Are there some solid work lights out there that put out as much light as a 1K Arri open-face?
Thanks!
Andrew
 
We're lighting a large white backdrop, then having talent standing in front of the backdrop, speaking to camera. I'm not exactly sure what the budget is, but it's too tight to rent a full lighting and grip kit every time.
If you have any experience working with work lights, could you point me to a few? The ones I've seen at Home Depot all have terrible reviews.
Thanks.
 
How "large" is a large white backdrop, and how many talent at one time will be on camera?

What type of look are you trying to achieve?

Do you already have separate lights from the backdrop to light your talent with, and if so what color balance?

Without you providing any specifics, my advice would be to avoid work lights, and instead purchase a pair of low cost Biax fluorescent lights if you are wanting a softer light for your background, or used tungsten lights off eBay.

Again not knowing your budget it's hard to suggest. But for $200 you could purchase a pair of 2x55w Biax lights with stands or a couple of used tungsten lights without stands.

Good luck!

Dave
 
Find some used Tota-lights in good shape. They cost less than $150 new, so you might be able to get a deal on some used ones.

Tota-lights are great for lighting large areas, and have built-in barn-doors to help control the light spread.
 
TheDingo said:
Find some used Tota-lights in good shape. They cost less than $150 new, so you might be able to get a deal on some used ones.

Tota-lights are great for lighting large areas, and have built-in barn-doors to help control the light spread.
Click to expand...

2nd the totas and add two silk umbrellas to make the lighting more even.

And a recommandation for worklights...? Just go to home depot and buy them. Seriously, what do you charge for a project? ;)
 
You could try to bum some Cyc lights from a local theater.

The odd thing is that renting fixtures isn't really all that expensive. In fact for the cost of the generic worklight you could rent a proper fixture that would light evenly. Instead of a grip house try a theatrical lighting rental house. I have found that sometimes the grip/electric houses are much more expensive than the theatrical rental houses. Where are you located, I may be able to direct you to places to check in to
 
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