Lighting for a Traveling Music Video Project?

[Antipode]

In need of some lighting advice from brilliant minds who have experience working with affordable, portable, somewhat flexible lighting solutions. After endless searching, reviews, preferences and price points, I'm feeling seriously stumped. I've been on sets and worked with all sorts, but am still very much a beginner at managing them myself.

I have limited storage space (traveling 10,000 miles in a Scion XB over 3 months, shooting 7 narrative-style music videos) on D7000/D800s. To make matters worse, conditions will absolutely vary. If a specialty situation arises, renting is an option, but I really hoped to have the basics covered. I've considered choosing a Lowel Omni kit, Rifa(s), Colortran eBay finds or even a handful of mini LEDs, etc. I know mixing is moot, artful manipulation of cheap LEDs is super tough and costs can/will be staggering for genuine quality; I intend to make use of every practical and rig up all sorts of oddball solutions on the fly... but need your smarts to start making sense of this abyss.

So, if you had unpredictable shoots, limited budget and tight storage space, what would you bring?

 

[David W. Jones]

Hey, no matter how big you get it's still going to be a compromise. Limited by the vehicle size to carry your gear, or the budget you have for rentals. I stepped up my game and purchased a Mercedes Sprinter van to carry my gear with, but it still does not hold everything so I have to determine what goes and what stays home. I'm not exactly sure how much space you have in your Scion, but with careful planning I'll bet you could pack plenty of goodies in there. You also have not indicated a budget for your lighting needs. Limited budget means different things to different people. And you failed to mention whether you needed daylight sources, or if studio balance lighting would suffice. Or whether the locations you are going to be shooting at will have mains power or if you will eyed to provide your own power source. My first thought... Include a couple of removable turtle base C-stands w/arms, a couple of sand bags, and a couple of inexpensive 5 in 1 collapsible reflectors. Add a milk crate and fill it with a 50', 3x25', 2x15' stingers, 2x power strips, 2x ground lift adapters. Add a few small pony clamps and a handful of C-47s. Purchase a used 1k Fresnel off eBay, and add an extra lamp. Purchase a used open face 650w off eBay, and add an extra lamp. Purchase a used 200w Fresnel off eBay, add an extra lamp. Purchase something along the lines of a ePhoto/Fancier 6x55w Biax fluorescent off Amazon.com with daylight tubes, add 6 studio balance tubes w/case & a sheet of 1/4 minus green gel. Purchase something along the lines of the ePhoto/Fancier 1000 LED light off amazon, add a sheet of 1/4 minus green gel & a sheet of diffusion of your choice. Purchase enough medium duty stands for your kit. While in my opinion this isn't really enough for shooting full bands, it would be a good low cost start to a flexible lighting kit.

Good luck with your project!

Dave

 

[Antipode]

A thoughtful, wise and clearly experienced recommendation; many, many thanks, David.
I'll be finding a way to work these into the plans and budget. The practical items list is especially appreciated.

I'm aiming for $700-$1500 and see now that these quick-fix kits really are not the answer. Big surprise. I will be shooting ≈60% outdoor, making use of reflectors and available light as much as possible; have considered the LEDs (perhaps the tiny Switronix TorchLED Bolt) for fill vs the florescents. Awful compromise? Thoughts on Biax vs Rifa eX, just price or performance? I assume your Chinese lanterns were DIY?

The other ≈40% indoor is a worry, but feel confident that your advice will do the trick. Do you recommend a brand for the used fresnels? As for power, I'm considering the Honda EU2000i, but hope to avoid it by sticking to the smaller LEDs for outdoors.

Lots of compromise on this type of project, for sure. After swooning over your company's equipment list, lighting and lenses (not to mention the Benz), I see where being portable can be stifling if you're not clever/extremely familiar with your gear. Your business model is the perfect one to advise this project; so glad you posted. Thank you! Any other advice is absolutely welcome.