Practicals

M

mrblue1022

Well-known member
I've never tried to shoot with practicals on video before. Can those of you who have drop some tips here? I would love to see grabs from video projects that you have shot where all lighting was done with practicals. Also tips on light bulb selections would be helpful.

Just so you know, I am shooting a project on the DVX100 in 24P mode. The scene features a young actress, and to make the set less intimidating I want to complete light with practicals. Thanks for ideas and tips.

Rob
 
Make sure you have bulbs that are all the same color temp. I like using day light balanced bulbs. Also, don't put in a higher wattage bulb than the practical is rated for. You might find that you'll have to add some more practicals than the set already has. Talk to your art director about lamps that fit the location.

Does anyone remember the Kubrick film that was lit with all practicals? The name escapes me, but it might be a good film to watch to get some ideas.

Dan
www.DvcameraRigs.com
 
Barry Lyndon. Filmed using candle-light in some scenes. Kubrick ran out of money, so filmed most of it on his estate in the UK.
 
One of the tricks we use a lot is a dimmer. If you wire a dimmer to an electrical extension cord, you can dim the light to an acceptibl level.
Disclaimer:
Any electrical wiring should be done only by a qualified electrician.

J Patnaude
 
pmark23 said:
Barry Lyndon. Filmed using candle-light in some scenes. Kubrick ran out of money, so filmed most of it on his estate in the UK.
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The scenes in Barry Lyndon were shot with a highly modified Mitchell cam and with aZiess lens that were developed for NASA. From what I've heard, their were rated as a 0.7 T-stop (which is theoretically impossible). The modification for mounting the lenses, basically destroyed the camera. "Stanley Kubrick, a Life in Pictures" a doc about "Da Man" talks about it. He basically conned the President of Warner Brothers to send him some very valuable process cameras, for free, so he could get this done.

Not sure about the "Ran outta money" thing. I am pretty sure that he was fully supported by Warner Brothers. Where did you read that?
 
David G. Smith said:
The scenes in Barry Lyndon were shot with a highly modified Mitchell cam and with aZiess lens that were developed for NASA. From what I've heard, their were rated as a 0.7 T-stop (which is theoretically impossible). The modification for mounting the lenses, basically destroyed the camera. "Stanley Kubrick, a Life in Pictures" a doc about "Da Man" talks about it. He basically conned the President of Warner Brothers to send him some very valuable process cameras, for free, so he could get this done.

Not sure about the "Ran outta money" thing. I am pretty sure that he was fully supported by Warner Brothers. Where did you read that?
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But remember that when Barry Lyndon was made, film speeds were much slower. I think the DVX looks pretty damn good in low light!

I haven't seen that Documentary. Headed for Netflix right now!

Dan
www.DvcameraRigs.com
 
danslak said:
But remember that when Barry Lyndon was made, film speeds were much slower. I think the DVX looks pretty damn good in low light!

I haven't seen that Documentary. Headed for Netflix right now!

Dan
www.DvcameraRigs.com
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Dan, love your book.

Well actually, the film speeds were not that much slower. They had fast color negatives. What the problem was is that the higher speed films were so much more grainy, higher in contrast and lower in resolution than they are today. The faster film also had a problem with color rendition and saturation. Thank god for T-grain technology. Kodak had just released a 250 ASA, medium contrast, fine grain negative at the time that BL was shot,I wish I could remember the stock number, I think it was 5248, but don't flame me if I am wrong (I've had a few beers... it's my brother's birthday... gonna drink more beers here in minute). This stock was the mainstay for a long time. I ain't dissinig Stan, but actually, very few of the 18th century scenes were shot, "Candles only". From what I have been able to research, I know that the "Cottage Interior" with the Widow and baby and some of the "First Cassino" scenes were candles only. No matter, it is a masterpiece of cinematography, John Alcott kicked ass!!! It is very sad that he died before his time.
 
Thanks for the nice comment on my book!

I stand corrected on film speeds (1975 seems like 3 life times ago to me now). So good speeds, just crappier quality. Got it. Certainly 400 asa color wasn't around was it? I do remember B&W 400 around then though. But then again, getting old and brain melting.

Yeah, I only remember the hype that was around the film at the time about "all natural light" and never got the real scoop. Ditto on John Alcott. The lighting in "A Clockwork Orange" and "The Shining" is still some of my favorite. When I go to movies today, I feel like I'm watching a commercial.

Say "Happy Birthday" to your brother for me!

Thanks again,

Dan
 
As I remember it (but I forget where I read the details), originally they were going to shoot around Europe at the actual locations using a minimal crew and equipment and natural light. They dicked around filming the first bits and ran out of money, so Kubrick moved everything to his estate somewhere in the UK (forget whether is was in England, Wales, or Ireland) and filmed at his leisure.

Regardless, it's a beautiful movie, both visually and thematically.
 
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