Talking Heads - lighting the background

TubEfingers

TubEfingers

Well-known member
Hi,

I can light a subject fine but I'd like advice on background lighting when I'm forced to shoot them against a bare wall,

how do i achieve that look thats like a half opened blind on the background wall, with strips of light running across the wall? or any similar patterned looks?
how can i achieve a practical vignette effect on a back wall?

I usually shoot the subjects with 5400K bulbs in soft boxes,

any kit, techniques or online reading pointers appreciated,

Cheers

Luke
 
I'm gonna need the most compact portable hard light source available around the £200 ($350) mark if you have any suggestion, Thanks
 
A 650 w fresnel and a piece of foam core cut into the shape of some blinds works well.

Ive even used actual blinds bought at a thrift store.
 
What Matt said. Or you could take it up a notch if you had the budget.

ETC Source 4 ellipsoidal

Gel Holder

Assorted colored gels

Pattern holder

Assorted gobo patterns

Stinger

TVMP yoke adapter

Light Stand
 
Yes, the ellipsoidal is the answer. I suggest a mini-leko instead of the full sized unit. It's much lighter/smaller/easier to deal with. As said, use a gobo like this:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rosco-Wide-Louvre-Steel-Gobo-Pattern-B-Size-79312-/360204153605?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ddd73305

I don't mean this http://www.newlighting.com/17865/new-etc-source-four-mini

I mean something like this http://www.altmanltg.com/altman-lighting-micro-fixtures/micro-ellipse/micro-ellipse-Oct-2013.pdf

[edit] for some reason, the gobo link is taking me to a sennheiser page. I don't understand why. If it happens to you, copy the link to a new tab and it works.
 
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Check out the Tiffen DFX for Video plug-ins. Besides all the different looks, it also offers a "Gobo" feature that does exactly what you're looking for, adding the lighting effects to the background. An associate took a very plain video of a subject in a messy office, then added a color effect look and the "blinds on the wall" and made it look entirely different, I was very impressed with the changes.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers
 
Had a professor once say "People on set are always going crazy trying to come up with creative ways to mimic a venetian blind pattern.

...have you ever thought of just using venetian blinds?"

That guy was pretty smart.
 
pulpwoody said:
I've used a Lowel Pro 250 watt and put black wrap with strips cut out.
Click to expand...

Ha! I did that recently. It was so ghetto. Some people on set started taking pictures of the cardboard franken rig with black tape I had working as the blinds-- made a great effect, looked cheesy as hell. I told them they weren't allowed to post any pictures anywhere, or if they did, they weren't allowed to say it was my idea.
 
sonofaresiii said:
Ha! I did that recently. It was so ghetto. Some people on set started taking pictures of the cardboard franken rig with black tape I had working as the blinds-- made a great effect, looked cheesy as hell. I told them they weren't allowed to post any pictures anywhere, or if they did, they weren't allowed to say it was my idea.
Click to expand...

Thats what film making is all about - creative solutions. You're not the first nor will be the last to franken-something. Be innovative.
 
I'm in good company then - I use my 150 0r 300W fresnel, and throw a piece of blackwrap over it that I poked some irregular holes in with a pencil one day while shooting. That piece of blackwrap has been one of the most used things in my light kit. A few years ago I laid 2 clamp lights (I think with CFLs in them - probably 100W equiv.) on the ground behind the subject, they were facing slightly upward due to their shape, and it provided a really nice gradient effect behind them without overpowering the scene.

Adam
 
Back a mirror with black gaff on the back, put clear packing tape on the front and include a gel if you're feeling risky. Then take a hammer and smash it a few times. Then take a 500 or 1000w par and hit it into the mirror. You'll get a great colored break up across the background.
 
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