lighting for green screen???

[Nicholas Natteau]

I have a single Litepanels 1x1 5600K Flood, and two mini-lite panels (spot and flood). I know that I need two big lights to properly light my fold-out muslin green sceen background. Just curious what two lights you would all recommend?

Should I go high end and get a second lightpanels 1x1 flood which I could always combine with my first litepanels 1x1 and my mini-litepanels for a 3 or 4-light interview setup?

Or should I go cheap on the background lights for the greenscreen, and just get a pair of cool-to-the-touch Home Depot work lights for $49 each?

 

[NVentive]

I've had a set of http://www.skaeser.com/servlet/the-519/FLUORESCENT-STUDIO-VIDEO-LIGHTING/Detail that I have had for years and have done pretty well with. I would not recommend carrying them around much, as they are not particularly durable. I also have some http://www.coollights.biz/cl455-cool-lights-watt-fluorescent-video-soft-light-p-31.html in my mix, along with a few tungsten pars and fresnels that I use for color kick sometimes. Photos of some of my setups are at: http://www.thedreamersite.com/interactive/#/photos/cgi
You probably already know this, but always light your screen evenly, shoot some video of your screen empty before your talent steps on, and do your grading in post. Good Luck!

 

[Nicholas Natteau]

Hi Nventive, thanks very much for your feedback. But do you think I can get away wqith the cheapo setup Home Depot lights if its just for the background green screen, or is it wiser to go for something more professional like Ikan 500, etc?

Thanks again,

- Nick

 

[NVentive]

As long as you can get the screen lit evenly, with a color balance that is close to 5600, you should be otay. Admittedly, the lower-cost fluorescents do have a 'green spike,' but even so -- the fact that they are close to full-spectrum helps a lot.

 

[Michael Carter]

Get a couple 8o-100 watt really-big flo bulbs. They're cool, daylight, pull hardly any power and kick out some big, soft-ish light. You can rig up all sorts of stuff with china ball holders and foam core. $30-$50 a pop. Stick 'em in big china balls with the back side spray painted black. Lotta light for the money. I use the heck out of 'em.