Put on your creative thinking caps!

R

RossS

Active member
I am going to get an opportunity to shoot inside a maximum security prison, but there are some challenging limitations which I would like to get every experienced DP to comment on. I will be shooting with an HVX200.
The rooms I will be shooting in have flourescent lights, and I will NOT be allowed to bring in additional lighting. There will be a number of prisoners in the room at each shoot, although I will be shooting some one-on-one interviews. I cannot bring a sound man in for these shoots, so I will need to go with an on-camera shotgun. I will be able to use a tripod.
My questions are, what setting would you shoot at? I am planning on potentially making this Black & White in post (FCP), but the final output will be HD for both festivals and television. Also, any advice on shooting this group of prisoners (they will mostly be talking in discussion groups sitting in circles). Obviously I'm asking a lot of questions, but in this situation I don't get to ask for second takes! Thanks for any input.
 
Look into gelling the lights if you need to correct them. I don't have much experience with flourescents so I could be off, but I believe using minus green gels can help correct a lot. Maybe look into those. If this is a documentary, honestly do a little work to make the lights a little less garish, but put a lot of effort into the substance, as this is a good oportunity, and you don't want to blow the film just focusing on how it looks, because in that situation, people are going to be caring about the prisoners. Just my two cents.

Good Luck
 
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