Translight

[Guest Christopher Wedding]

Hey guys, I have a two part question.

 

Here's the scenario:

 

There's an upcoming shoot and now they'd

like to design a translight with an abstract photo

montage to be behind two actors that are sitting

in two chair and talking to one another.

 

We'll most likely be dollying around them in a two shot

(obviously the size of the translight is important.) and

then we'll cheat them and shoot the CU's. I don't know

what the design will be yet, but I did ask that it not

be too much white. Most likely shooting the HDX900.

 

The first question is how far away these folks should

be from the translight itself. I said minimum 10 feet, but

would prefer 15-20. Taking that into account, how big

do you think the translight should be approx? to hold a two

shot and to dolly around? I'm thinking 40-50 feet. Does

that sound right? Any good rules of thumb?

 

What lighting would best suit this scenario? is there a

better way to back light this thing than sky pans?

I intend on bringing the whole thing up evenly

and then perhaps adding some more light and color

to certain spots depending on what this thing looks like.

 

Never lit a translight before...I've been around them,

one memorable one was on set of 'Big Love' watching

Mr. Mullen work!! :)

 

Anyhow, thanks for any help.

[David Rakoczy]

Take a Director's Viewfinder, place two people and frame your shot, do the move, measure the right to left sides of frame. Skypans are super simple, fast and give an even spread.

[J. Lamar King IMPOSTOR]

I think you can get away with a smaller one about 30 feet wide. Just depends on how much you want to dolly really. Skypans are the way to go. You can light a Translight that big from the floor with just three 5K Skypans on turtle stands.