Lighting

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brandondull said:
I was thinking about getting this type of lighting

http://www.cowboystudio.com/product/c16/p16-02.php


I have a $500.00 budget. Any help would be great. Thanks.
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I would honestly just save up for a real lighting kit from ARRI. These cheapo systems are a joke. Look great on paper but will cause you nothing but problems. You can get a great arri kit with fresnels and a soft light for like $2000. It'll be worth it later. If you're really on a budget maybe look at Lowell, but personally that is as low as you should go.
 
Brandon, take your five hundred and go to Pyramid films or ebay and buy quality used Moles, Desiti's or Arri's. These are quality professional lights that will last a lifetime.
 
I am 20 years old I don't have 2000 dollars!!!! I just need lighting for inside shooting such as a living room scene or chromakey. I am looking for a 3 point lighting setup. Plus I can get cheaper equipment & take care of it to last a lifetime.
 
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I just need lighting for inside shooting such as a living room scene or chromakey
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brandon. "living room" and "chroma key" are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT lighting setups. here we go again with you expecting one piece of gear to serve all situations...

a "living room" kit can get by with 2 or 3 lights.

a chroma-key kit needs one set of lights for the screen
and another set of lights for the talent.

my ULTRA-basic (waist up) typical chroma-light-kit is:
2 kino 4' 4banks (one left and one right) for the SCREEN.
2, kino diva 400s (left and right. key and fill) for the TALENT
and another kino diva200 TALENT hair-light

i pointed you to a good source of budget-friendly 3-point (fluorescent) lighting about 4 discussions ago...
is it a matter of you not wanting to take MY personal advice or do you simply not READ ANY of the advice youre given here?

the kit i talked about (and sent links to) will set you back about $600. gels, another $200. and you simply will not get a more functional kit for less money. i use it for a "budget wary" tv commercial client on a weekly basis.

i really dont know why i keep bothering with your dumb-ass. you dont listen to anything we tell you...
youre probably going to just go buy another indislider or something...
 
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wgzn said:
brandon. "living room" and "chroma key" are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT lighting setups. here we go again with you expecting one piece of gear to serve all situations...

a "living room" kit can get by with 2 or 3 lights.

a chroma-key kit needs one set of lights for the screen
and another set of lights for the talent.

my ULTRA-basic (waist up) typical chroma-light-kit is:
2 kino 4' 4banks (one left and one right) for the SCREEN.
2, kino diva 400s (left and right. key and fill) for the TALENT
and another kino diva200 TALENT hair-light

i pointed you to a good source of budget-friendly 3-point (fluorescent) lighting about 4 discussions ago...
is it a matter of you not wanting to take MY personal advice or do you simply not READ ANY of the advice youre given here?

the kit i talked about (and sent links to) will set you back about $600. gels, another $200. and you simply will not get a more functional kit for less money. i use it for a "budget wary" tv commercial client on a weekly basis.

i really dont know why i keep bothering with your dumb-ass. you dont listen to anything we tell you...
youre probably going to just go buy another indislider or something...
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Hook me up with a job. Then I'll take your advice. Provide the link again. Don't call me names - your how much older then me? You know & experienced how much more material then me? I'm
Not even in school - I'm just learning by everyday usage of the forum. I'm sick &
Tired of people bashing me when I'm a solo artist who is trying so hard & at the end of the day some of you make me want to quit because your just perfect at this field. SMH. Keep it mellow.
 
My 2 Cents, I mean well

My 2 Cents, I mean well

Hi Brandon!

For starters this stuff isn't easy. It takes a lot of time and experience to determine the proper equipment etc. so you are wise to ask questions. First of all I wouldn't waste my money or yours on the light "kit" you linked. Even look at the title of it...."Photo Studio Lighting." While this board is great for asking questions it ins't an answer all and many will answer your questions but still expect you to put in your fair share of research.

My first question is....Are you really wanting to be a serious video maker and are you wanting to make money off of your work or do it for fun?

You have an awesome camera.....there are lots of videos you can do without lights. All of us at one time or another have done the generic car commercial that you wouldn't want to put on your demo reel. But it makes money. It's not everyday that someone has $20,000 to invest in equipment. The majority of people buy things in bits. So.....my suggestion to you is what I'm doing!

Go out and market yourself and find videos you can do with the equipment you have to make some money. Cheap commercials, promos for foundations anything. Use the money you make to invest in more equipment. If lights are the next thing on your prioirty list determine what you want and how much it will cost and save. If you get a shoot where you absolutely no questions asked need a light kit or some other kind of equipment you don't have rent it. Add the expense into the project and pass it along to the client. Its business. And there are rental houses all over the U.S. I live in a small town in the mtns and drive 2 hours to rent equipment. Its doable.

You can always buy your arri lights in pieces. you dont have to buy a kit Spend $500 and get yourself two arri lights with stands then add to it as you go. But spending your money on cheap stuff just cause you can afford it is going to set you back A LOT.

I have faith in you. I'm 23 and fresh out of college. I only have a camera, tripod and computer but look at some of the stuff I've done. http://www.mbowdenproductions.com/ Im not boasting Im just saying anything is possible. You dont have to have everything to start with. Most of my stuff was done either with rented equipment that I DIDN'T pay for or (meaning I added the rental fee to the charge for the video) what I had.

WGZN is just frustrated. There are a lot of people that join DVXuser expecting members to tell them what to do. We don't work that way. We want to help each other and push each other into learning more about this business/hobby we love.

PM me Id love to help any way I can.

P.S. please don't get that light kit. You'll regret it.
 
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Don't waste your money on cheap ass gear. Use work lights from home depot until you can afford the real stuff, that's what I did. We were all in your place once, we can't help if you don't listen.

If you really feel like quitting after reading a message board than you should re-evaluate if this is the right career for you. As an artist you likely get more critique than praise.
 
JesterJJZ said:
If you really feel like quitting after reading a message board than you should re-evaluate if this is the right career for you. As an artist you likely get more critique than praise.
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That is true about our work, yes - but it shouldn't be true of our questions.
People have every right to expect to be treated with respect here.

Advice and critique are always welcomed - as long as they aren't condescending or rude.
Not saying you were specifically - but the tone of this thread overall went downhill quickly.

Patience is required on both sides - both from those asking, and those answering.
If anyone can't handle that - all they need to do is ignore that particular thread and move on.

brandondull said:
Keep it mellow.
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Everyone should keep that piece of advice in mind.
 
I 2nd this....."Patience is required on both sides - both from those asking, and those answering.
If anyone can't handle that - all they need to do is ignore that particular thread and move on."
 
brandon, can you find a local venue to rent different types of lights to experiment with first? before buying? I find hands-on experience tells me more about what i can do with different tools than anecdotes from others.

EDIT: hey, you're in Pittsburgh!! Go start a membership at Pittsburgh Filmmakers and use their gear to learn, learn, learn. That's EXACTLY what I did. Over a decade ago. You are LUCKY to have that resource near you.
 
Just ignore this thread then people... I'm going to buy what I want. Thanks.
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call me what you want. but ive given brandon a TON of advice. SPECIFIC advice. on lights and stabilizers etc... and time and time again, he has ignored my (and others) advice. and just chosen to buy more junk...

moderators have sent me messages. but lets really do the math here. who has just eaten up users time and who has actually helped people.
 
brandon. really man. i just want to help you. im not trying to be mean.
but you dont seem to want to listen when the responses to your questions require "work"

respectfully, there is no easy nor cheap solution. the examples youve posted of what you want to achieve require work and experience and skill. and sometimes BUDGET

you cant just buy something. turn it on and expect great results. i dont care how expensive it is ; )
you have to know how to use it. and that knowledge can only be gained through experience. there is no "fast-track to on the set expertise" book

i get frustrated (and id bet others do as well) when you just drop in and want to be spoon-fed the easy answer when THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER. we have all earned our stripes in the trenches. and there is no easy way around that...

im happy to continue to help you. but you have to at least meet us in the middle and accept that some of this actually requires experience... not just a credit card.

"lol"
 
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phudsontx said:
Brandon, take your five hundred and go to Pyramid films or ebay and buy quality used Moles, Desiti's or Arri's. These are quality professional lights that will last a lifetime.
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Not sure how the best piece of advice on this thread was lost in the quagmire, but there it is again.

Brandon you say you look after gear, awesome. Do the above and look after them and they will last you forever.
 
take your five hundred and go to Pyramid films or ebay and buy quality used Moles, Desiti's or Arri's.
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those are great if you know how to use them. but when i was new to the game (about 15 years ago) i was handed a barrage of lights and spent about 8 years using them INCORRECTLY. and many arri, mole, kino, etc are largely useless unless you know how to deploy them.

i spent years key-lighting an interview with a 1k and hair-lighting from the floor (facepalm)

brandon. keep the questions coming. but accept that the answers may result in you renting (or reading) something... and if that's the case im sure we all can coach you on how to use them - IF you come at it with a question rather than a demand... we'd all be happy to give you help. i'll give you my various IM, skype names, if you really want real HELP... and not just an answer.
 
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Tired of people bashing me when I'm a solo artist who is trying so hard
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im a "solo artist" as well. and ive been "solo" for about a decade - but over the years, when i ask questions i LISTEN to the answers i get. and i LEARN from them. i dont just look for a piece of gear to solve my problems...

i think we've all about had it with you. and as a non-mod, general member i can comfortably say that.
if you want to put on your big-boy pants and get in the game - then BRING IT!

otherwise, go play at creativecow
 
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enough with the personal stuff. luis has already asked once for it to stop a few posts back. i suggest we LISTEN (a recurring theme, it seems) to him.

besides, don't we all have better things to do at.... 4:30 in the morning? :) okay, maybe not.
 
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