Documentary Lighting

[James Herron]

Long time reader, first time poster:

 

First off, I just want to say you guys rock - I've probably learned more here in a month than I did in 4 years of school and 4 years of working.

 

I'm shooting a documentary with a lot of daytime exteriors, and I know on one level I kind of just have to pray for nice light at our locations (its in CA and I'm in NY, so scouts are out of the question). But I was hoping to assist certain scenes with some portable LEDs or something else and I was hoping for some thoughts or recommendations.

 

I'm shooting on the C300 with the Canon Cine Lenses (though I may switch to the CP2 superspeeds) and I'm trying to replicate shots like this:

 

 

And for nighttime scenes:

 

 

Now it seems to me that the Daytime shot is totally natural light, but is there something I can grab for giving a little shape to a key side or filling in if the sun is insanely bright?

 

And the Night time shot looks like 2 LEDs but I'd love to hear some thoughts and ideas. Thanks so much, you folks are all amazing.

 

PS sorry for the crazy picture sizes.

[Miguel Angel]

Hi and welcome James!

 

I would say that if you have a little bit of time to plug a light, the Joker 1600 is very versatile and it takes all the previous accessories from the other Jokers.

It is not as portable as a LED or a Rifa Light but it is a great device.

 

Joker 1600

http://www.k5600.com/whatsnew.html

 

Rifa

http://lowel.tiffen.com/rifa/

 

Have you thought about bringing an ARRI L7 or a Kinoflo Celeb (they are amazing and very portable)?

Both of them will help you change the ºK of the light without having to gel it, which could be handy in some occasions.

 

Arri L7 - C

http://www.arri.com/lighting/lighting_equipment/lampheads/led_lampheads/l_series/l7_c/

 

Kinoflo Celeb 200DMX

http://www.kinoflo.com/Products%20Button/LED/Celeb%20200%20DMX/Celeb200_DMX.html

 

Have a good day.

 

Best.

[Albion Hockney]

It's all very variable depending on what kinda work you are doing. If you can the best option is to pre-light ....if you can't do that and just need to throw something up quickly its pretty hit or miss and you will really need to focus on having people in places with good natural light.....If you only have 5min to throw up a LED panel I wouldn't rely on that as a key light, I would think about that more in terms of maybe adding a little fill or an edge.

 

 

For example the bourdain scenes are usually pre-light from what I have see....some pretty extensivly. (Zamboni has won a few emmys on that show and I think he really likes to nail in the lighting ...very rarley does he do a meal full natural light if its at night.

 

 

The thing that has worked best in the past is China balls with some duvatene and other little non movie lights that you can rig out of frame without needing a lot of grip equipment on the ground (I basically try to avoid using stands and any lighting control like solids or 4x4 frames).....I'd say with a host of household bulbs, some china balls, dimmers, and various rigging options (Maffer, scissor clamps, etc) that'll be your best bet.

 

Of course if you do have the ability to throw up one real light as well that might help and for day interior having a joker 1600 might be a big help even if you just bounce it off a ceiling to even out sunlight coming in.