Nightclub shooting

[DVX100Shooter]

As I am starting the storyboard work for a Music Video that some of the shooting will take place in a night club, I want to pay careful attention to the lighting scheme of the video. I am unclear how to light a club that is normally dark with the just the "club lights" on. In most Music Videos I see on TV, you can tell the crew used their own lights along with the club lights BUT they still made it look somewhat dark. I guess what I am saying is that I don't want to bring in lights then the whole club is bright. However if I am shooting 24PA on the DVX, its going to need some light. Any suggestions what type of lights to use? Large Softboxes? Gels?

 

[Barry_S]

Re: Nightclub shooting

It would be helpful to find out exactly what kind of lighting setup is available in the club.  Some clubs have elaborate setups with a grid and lighting board, and other have a couple of dinky spots attached to the walls.  Chances are, they're using some ellipsoidals with colored gels.  Ellipsoidals produce hard focussed light--which may or may not be what you want.  Lots of ellipsoidals have shutters that act as built in flags to control the light--that can help.  You can still be using a lot of lighting instruments and produce a dark moody atmosphere--it's all about controlling and modifying the lights.

One way to go would be using large softboxes for soft front lighting with hard backlighting and side lighting (maybe from ellipsodals on a grid, if available).  Eggcrates on the softboxes will help prevent a lot of spill.  Also, you're going to want to flag some of the lights to prevent spill.    A lot depends on the mood you're trying to create.  Whatever you decide, you should go to the club and run some tests before the actual shoot.  Have some stand-ins that move around like the band while you set up the lighting.  If you do too precise of a setup, you can have problems when the talent moves around, so the setup should be broad enough to allow for movement of the talent.

 

[NoMaD]

Re: Nightclub shooting

I've lit nightclubs in music video's before, and its not easy. It’s really not easy when half the people are white & Asian and the other half is black.

What I did was I used the house lights, which were par cans/spotlights and some cool bar bottle lights, to light my background. 3 point light your main character, and make sure your kicker really brings him out of the darkness to keep the focus on him and give the shot dimension. My kit included a two 1k's, two kenos, and 2 tweenies. I defused the 1k's with silk and flagged the spill light from hitting stuff that would give me a strong glare like a bottle. If you can't get silks use bounce. I used kenos to light my background extras with a nice soft backlight and fill. Its really not simple and I would suggest heading to the location with the Director and go over staging so you know what your up against. One other thing... keep in mind that this is not a drama so if your lighting is unrealistic no one will notice cept other DP's.

 

[DVX100Shooter]

Re: Nightclub shooting

Nomad what type of video were you shooting? This video I am about to work on is a Pop/Hip Hop dance type song. So I would need the dance floor packed with people but not so packed that I cannot manuever the camera through them. I am still scouting club locations to shoot in. I plan to do some test once I decide on the right location. What is the going rate to hire a lighting person to come in and do the lighting for me?

 

[Slapdragon]

Re: Nightclub shooting

Night scenes in clubs are usually high contrast with extensive use of kicker and rim lights on the background to give edge lighting. Also, having people in the background lit red or blue, and the main talent lit normally, is an effective way of solving some of your problems.

Do not try for three point silliness, as it is a too complex setting for that.

 

[NoMaD]

Re: Nightclub shooting

[quote author=DVX100Shooter link=board=lighting;num=1089126821;start=0#3 date=07/06/04 at 13:23:00]Nomad what type of video were you shooting? This video I am about to work on is a Pop/Hip Hop dance type song. So I would need the dance floor packed with people but not so packed that I cannot manuever the camera through them. I am still scouting club locations to shoot in. I plan to do some test once I decide on the right location. What is the going rate to hire a lighting person to come in and do the lighting for me?[/quote]

Probably could get a DP for free... but you would have to pay for his kit and rentals. There isn't really a going rate where I live. If I lived near you I would do it for free.