Suggestions for overhead outdoor diffusion?

[Gweilo66]

i don't have tons to spend on the screen and rigging, but wonder if some here have come across a high value solution to harsh outdoor lighting. Thanks much.

 

[Barry_Green]

A white bedsheet is the no-budget silk...

 

[Gweilo66]

Thanks. Will do just that if no better alternative comes up. Anyone have any experience with twist collapsible "silks"?

 

[slondon]

Thanks. Will do just that if no better alternative comes up. Anyone have any experience with twist collapsible "silks"?

Generally, they're not big enough for anything except closeups. For most purposes a 12'X12' overhead is good, allowing medium two-shots and the actors to move, for example.

My favorite rag is half Hampshire frost, which is just vinyl. It's good because it takes off the harshness of the sun so the artists aren't squinting and blinking and it softens the shadows but it only knocks down the light beneath it by about 1/2 stop so the backgrounds don't look too bright as they can with anything else.

I've never tried it but a shower curtain is supposed to be the no budget alternative.

 

[RyanT]

Generally, they're not big enough for anything except closeups. For most purposes a 12'X12' overhead is good, allowing medium two-shots and the actors to move, for example.

My favorite rag is half Hampshire frost, which is just vinyl. It's good because it takes off the harshness of the sun so the artists aren't squinting and blinking and it softens the shadows but it only knocks down the light beneath it by about 1/2 stop so the backgrounds don't look too bright as they can with anything else.

I've never tried it but a shower curtain is supposed to be the no budget alternative.

Do they make a half soft hampshire frost in rag form? I've seen half soft frost, which is pretty similar, but I don't think quite as light as half hamp. frost.

I find the easiest thing to do is just to use the sun as a backlight and then use a 4x4 piece of beadboard to fill in their face. Looks great and is pretty easy to do on a budget.

 

[slondon]

Do they make a half soft hampshire frost in rag form? I've seen half soft frost, which is pretty similar, but I don't think quite as light as half hamp. frost.

I find the easiest thing to do is just to use the sun as a backlight and then use a 4x4 piece of beadboard to fill in their face. Looks great and is pretty easy to do on a budget.

I called it a rag but it's vinyl not fabric. I used a sewer in LA and can give you his info if you like but there are three west coast sewers I like whose quality and prices are very good.

I try to get cinematographers to do just what you suggest but sometimes the overhead must go up, right? It's also very useful to get 6'X6' or 8'X8' or 12'X12' ultrabounce (black on the other side for neg fill) or white or unbleached muslin and use them as reflectors when the beadboard won't do the job. Can be very pretty. I especially like the look of unbleached mus.