Reflector lights

M

mrblue1022

Well-known member
Has anyone used reflector lights while shooting the DVX100? I'm shooting a short this summer and I'm looking at a Smith Victor kit that includes two 10" and one 5" light, all 250 watts. I would like to know thoughts on using this set up for interior shots when shooting in 24P, and if there are any problems you have run into with reflector lights.

Also, does anyone else have good ideas for alternative lighting aside from sinking a thousand bucks into a Lowell kit? I've thought of chinese lanterns, and trying to pick up a cheap 1K. Any other good ideas for a basic DV lighting kit?

Rob
 
Their are a few alterations and additions to be done to 500w worklights ($9.99 each at lowes) Painting the inside/outside housing w/ blk bar-bq heat resistance paint, altering the inside reflector to taste or dropping it completly, building barn doors or using blackfoil, you'll need 10x dimmer switches from radio shack build them into the housing, you will also need 1/2 to full white diffusion and a few color temp gels ctb 1/4 1/2 full. you will also have to build mounting for these depending on availible grip equip.

You should be able to find a 1k par64 for under a $100.00 this is a "wild" stage light and will need blackfoil + white diffusion.

Brett
 
I did some work with worklights, as described above, and chinese lanterns (which I love). If your looking at open faced reflectors, I'd go to the hardware store and ask for brooder lamps. (less than 15 bucks) They are like those ordinary clip on reflector worklights, but they have a ceramic fixture, so you can go up to about a 300w bulb. I throw 75-100 halogen bulbs from Home Depot in them all the time to use as a hairlight. They are a liitle hard to control, but no less so then the one's you are looking at. Plus they are easy to clip anywhere.
 
200w Photo floods (avail at photo supply shop) also work great w/ chinas and clamp lamps but with the clamps you need real "lee filters" Full white diffusion (photo supply shop), buy some c47 (clothspins)
and a package of magnets (hardware store) super glue a magnet to the back of a c47 the other magnet (don't glue) will hold it in place from the inside. use two c47 per light to hold diffusion in place,(if you lose the inside magnet on set replace with a beer bottle cap.)
 
If you can't pay the crew as much as they deserve, bring beer for the end of each day (post- strike) of course.
 
I find it is best to get as drunk as possibile as the shooting day goes on. Only crew, drunk actors are not a good idea. Well, unless it is a nude scene.
 
"Their are a few alterations and additions to be done to 500w worklights ($9.99 each at lowes) Painting the inside/outside housing w/ blk bar-bq heat resistance paint, altering the inside reflector to taste or dropping it completly, building barn doors or using blackfoil, you'll need 10x dimmer switches from radio shack build them into the housing, you will also need 1/2 to full white diffusion and a few color temp gels ctb 1/4 1/2 full. you will also have to build mounting for these depending on availible grip equip."

Once again I have to ask, while the light cost you ten bucks, you put $150 bucks worth of time and extras into it. Wouldn't it be easier to simply buy a real light that will offer you so much more control and versatility?
 
While these DIY projects might be fun, (and I tinker with them all the time) there is nothing like a for-real, solid, built for the purpose film light. Get yourself a fresnell, with barn doors, and a real c-stand and a real sand bag to put it on. You will never go back.

-j
 
No one has opinions on the Smith-Victors?

We used to use them all the time when I was working theater. Well, S-Vs and Kliegls.

Passé?

Dan
 
Actually Walter, my modifications cost about 15 bucks per light.

Not that I wouldn't love to get a "real" light. But these darn kids want to eat 3 meanls a day :)
 
"Actually Walter, my modifications cost about 15 bucks per light.

Not that I wouldn't love to get a "real" light. But these darn kids want to eat 3 meanls a day"

I said $150 in parts and labor. Get rid of the kids. The lights are more important! :)
 
I guess it depends on what you use it for.

If it's just you and some friends shooting a low-budget horror film in the woods, then yeah, have fun!

But if it's commercial shoot for a client, or a wedding, or a training video for some state agency, then you should have professional functioning and looking equipment. You will present yourself as more professional and in the end get better clients.

-j
 
Why not get some theater stage lights? you can find them pretty cheap (under $100 a light) on eBay, and many have fresnels or regular lenses and barndoors. Most are also between 500 and 2000w and can be easily be fitted with a tungsten (3200K) balanced bulb. You can also modify them to make them easy to mount to standard light stands and with the barndoors, they can look professional without completely screaming "Theater!"
 
Wow, 2000 watts! I don't know about other shooters but that is more light then I could every use for a DV film. When shooting DV I prefer to use much softer lights, which is why I'm looking at the 250 watt reflectors. Mix those with some tungsten balanced practicals and I should be in business for most of the stuff I'm shooting on my upcoming project.

Rob
 
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