Lighting kit for a film?

G

gabge13

Active member
I don't know what to buy or rent for a film I am going to start shooting in December.

The movie will be filmed for the most part outside in a forest. The interior shots will just be inside a house located on the ranch I'll be shooting.

I have a dvx100a this will probably be just a one camera set-up what lights should I buy?

I have a very small budget for lights maybe about 150 dollars or less.
 
How many days will you be shooting? 150 is probably enough to rent a decent Arri kit for a day. Otherwise, you can buy a bunch of home depot lights and some blackwrap for controlling the spill.

Also, some par cans (music/dj lights) for backlights and background lights. You can get them for cheap, and they offer a good degree of control with the different bulbs available.
 
I'll be shooting for 7 days.
What kind of lights do I get from home depot?
and I have no idea what black wrap is.

Please forgive me for being so naive when it comes to knowledge on this subject.
 
gabge13 said:
I'll be shooting for 7 days.
What kind of lights do I get from home depot?
and I have no idea what black wrap is.

Please forgive me for being so naive when it comes to knowledge on this subject.
Click to expand...


"Blackwrap" is a blackened foil. You can find the product here:

http://www.gamonline.com/

Since its a foil, it retains the shape one needs to direct/cut light given off by a lamp.

You need to test out whatever set of lights you come up with before the actual shoot...

In any case, remember lamps are hot... and so something like 'black paper' may not be a real solution, unless your film include pyrotechnics...
 
These are the kind of lights you need to pick up:

Link

They throw out a lot of light, and can be bounced off foam core or diffused through a hanging white sheet, curtain, etc, for a less harsh, more pleasing look. But as mentioned, these lights get tremendously hot, so keep that in mind when putting things and people close to them.
 
Wow thanks for the tips guys.

This site is really helpful.

I'll probably go to Home Depot and pick up 2 or 3 lights.

With 3 I achieve 3 point lighting right?

and do I need blackwrap or would foil on a poster board work?
 
Well, foil on a poster board would make a great reflector--blackwrap is for controlling the light as barndoors would on a pro fixture.

As for 3-point-lighting, don't get bogged down by the concept. Lighting is about creating a mood, adding dimensionality and serving the story. You could have one key light and no fill; this would make for a very contrasty and moody scene. Or you could add a fill light and get rid of the contrast. It's about what works for the scene/character/story. Add a backlight to separate your subject from the background and a background light to highlight your location...the possibilities are endless.

Figure out what style and mood you want for your film, and then look up stills from movies that approximate what you're looking for. Study and disect those movies for ideas for your lighting.
 
gabge13 said:
and do I need blackwrap or would foil on a poster board work?
Click to expand...

'Black' wrap is so named because it is 'black' and matte finished to minimize
'reflections'.

Regular foil on a foamcore board would make a good reflector... put a glass tray of water on it, rock it a bit, to get a near 'beach/lake/pool' look...

Lighting consists of not only applying light, but 'taking it away' as well, to create 'dramatic' elements in the visual presentation.
 
Not sure if it works with your style, but you could also pick up a china ball for cheap. They give off a nice soft light that might work well for the interiors. Also they're light weight and can be hung from ceiling beams or such.
 
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