how to expose on 16mm for fire and explosions?

[Nadia Bairamis]

Im shooting a student film, in the comming week, and i was wondering if any one had advice on how to expose for fire and expolsions, in both day and night situations.

In the day, we are shooting a car explosion, and in the evening a 10 story building interior and exterior, on fire.

Edited September 20, 2010 by Nadia Bairamis

[Dustan Lewis McBain]

In my experience, for the day, expose normally, make sure that you keep your characters and sky to a more normal perspective (depending on your vision) and let the fire go, keeping importance on your characters. However, depending on your day your fire shouldnt be blowing out in contrast to everything else. Night time, expose your fire, then light up your chrachter's to what you light with sources. Or if you going for a natural perspective, shoot at high stock and have your as as comfortably close to the fire as possible, lol. Your 10 store building might be hard to act as a key light for your actors, so be creative!

Im curious, how are you going to explode a 10 floor building?

[Marty Hamrick]

In my experience, for the day, expose normally, make sure that you keep your characters and sky to a more normal perspective (depending on your vision) and let the fire go, keeping importance on your characters. However, depending on your day your fire shouldnt be blowing out in contrast to everything else. Night time, expose your fire, then light up your chrachter's to what you light with sources. Or if you going for a natural perspective, shoot at high stock and have your as as comfortably close to the fire as possible, lol. Your 10 store building might be hard to act as a key light for your actors, so be creative!

Im curious, how are you going to explode a 10 floor building?

I was wondering the same thing about the explosion. As a news cameraman, I've probably shot a couple of hundred fires, both day and night. The natural light from the fire at night is a great idea. I've gotten away without having to resort to the on camera batt light for talent with a small, handheld reflector bouncing off of the flames. If you catch it just right, the fire's movement makes for some interesting reflections in the talent's eyes. It can also make for a natural back light.