Video vs. Theater lighting

G

Gristlator

New member
I have lots of experience in theater technical work, but am just starting getting into video. So I'd apprecieate some differences between the two (and other tips) to keep in mind with video lighting from people who know the both sides.

Thanks
 
Re: Video vs. Theater lighting

My training was in theater lighting. That makes me a better film and video lighter. All the pros I know who learned Tv lighting illuminate sets. Folks from theater backgrounds light with texture. Theater teaches depth, shade and color much better than folks taught TV lighting so you are off to a good start. I say watch TV, get a book on Tv lighting and see what you like and try it. Here are a few articles on lighting for TV by me (scroll down to the bottom of the page)

http://www.bluesky-web.com/instruction.html
 
Re: Video vs. Theater lighting

I used to do a lot of theatrical lighting and have found that video lighting can range from very similar to completely different than theatre lighting. If you're lighting in a television studio, the techniques transfer over pretty well. You have a lighting grid, many instruments, a cyc, a set, and a lighting board. The lighting does tend to be much more static during tv production than during a theatrical production where you have lots of lighting cues. Much less drama and fx for tv studio lighting and more emphasis on softer wrap around lighting with lower contrast ratios. A lot of studios are switching over to flo's for soft, cool light.

For EFP work where you're emulating film with video, the gap really starts to widen. Again, the lighting style is (usually) much more natural than for theatre and for DV location shooting, you're using a lot fewer lights. The hard edge that brings out texture for theatre-goers sitting 20 rows back is not really appropriate for most video work--the harsh highlights will blow out to ugly white in video and nobody's wearing a ton of pancake makeup. Reflectors and diffusers are hugely important for video and film and non-existent in theatre.

I'll agree that a background in lighting is tremendously useful, but it's learning a whole new set of tricks and techniques.
 
Re: Video vs. Theater lighting

Okay fine, since everyones giving really quality answers about aproach, I'll state an obvious difference.

Film and video lighting uses light control almost exclusively over dimming. Gels, silks, nets, scrims, butterflys, etc. are used regularly and a dimmer or variac is much more rarely used in the typical production (unless you're storaro, of course).

I started in film lighting and ended up doing a ton of lighting in theater. I think they are very different beasts, but you can learn tons by doing both.
 
Re: Video vs. Theater lighting

In video, the softness of the source is very important, and a variety of diffusion/devices are employed to achieve the effect. If I could learn one thing, that would be it.

-j
 
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