Theater lights

M

mitosmany

New member
Hello,

I've been checking out this site, reading posts and learning so much from them. This is a great place and dvx community. Thanks so much.

I will have to get Barry's book to, just recovering a little from the computers/dvx/shotgun mic purchases. but I will, no dout. Yes, this is very new for me but I do have some idea and basic knowlege on all this.

This is what I'm trying to figure out now and maybe someone can help me here. I'm getting some jobs shooting live dance performances in theaters and my big concern right now is how to deal with the light situation.

If I had time to set the white balance, under what light should I do this? the lights will be changing all the time.

last show I set the white to a not so bright lighing but then i had a scene with way to much light. What can I do to correct this on the spot? will it be the iris? I have auto iris, should i have manual iris? if I switch from auto to manual as i'm recording will that show on the recording? How can i correct light as I'm rec?

If i had no time to set whaite balance before is there something I should do that will help get a good color, picture balance?

OK, i'll stop here now. Sorry if this is too long or boring any of you. Any guide or suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks again and keep the good work.

oz
 
Re: Theater lights

After going through the effort of trying to manually white balance stage productions, I've decided that what works for me is to simply set the DVX to the 3200K preset and then make adjustments in post. Generally speaking, you do want to preserve the intended lighting design but colored lighting can look more intense on video so I try to moderate it later.

As for exposure, I would try to stay away from auto iris if you can. Manually adjust the iris and use your zebras to avoid blowing out the highlights. Unlike some cameras, the DVX iris adjusts smoothly. You can make slow adjustments while recording that won't be noticed Just be prepared for scene changes. I find that sitting through a dress rehearsal can help a lot with knowing what to expect next.

Hope that helps a little.

-Dan
 
Re: Theater lights

Have a read of Andy_Starbuc's excellent Basic Primer
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Events;action=display;num=1095676145

I am not sure if it covers all the lighting problems you mention, but on the issue of too much light, that is where the ND Filters work for you. I would go with the above recommendations, use the ND Filters when the camera askes for them & let the camera do the work. It may not be as artistic but for me anyway the camera is smarter than I am artistic. ;D
 
Re: Theater lights

Thanks a lot Dan and Nirimba.

Yes, you are very helpful. I haven't been using manual iris or even the zebra but now I will start to play with those. I will also try to learn more about ND filters, i couldn't tell if it is something I could change as I'm recordind or it had to be done before hand, i will do some research on ND with my camera, but the post is super clear and useful.

The ideal is when the artist hires you and then I will offer to record the dress rehearsal so that I can experience what will be like, but this gigs I'm doing now I don't have that oportunity and the theater techs will be in a tied skechule or wont even bother to give me time and the lights to do a white balance so I try to figure out some other way. For this past two performances i ajusted the white on the regular house lights and thats what i used.

I'm shooting on 30p, do you think that 1/60 shutter is enought for movements?

Thanks for the (impulso) push.

many
 
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