Christopher Budnick

Great to know! The next time I'm at the local lighting/grip shop I'll ask to take a look at them, thanks again for the help.

Thanks Stuart, but I think I might be looking for something a little different. The Briese lights are able to move the globe forward and back within the parabolic umbrella, between spot and flood. The best I've been able to find so far is that they're probably out of my price range and can only be ordered from the manufacturer ($8k+). If anyone knows if a cheaper alternative, I'd be very interested!

I figured this out- usually, one side of an actor's face is closer to the camera than the other.

I've been taught that as a general rule it looks better to light an actor with a key on the other side of the actor (upstage), opposite the camera. Why is this? Also, it's often described as being "closer to" or "farther away from" the camera. Aren't they both equally close to the camera, just on different sides? Or does this only refer to when an actor is being shot other than straight on? thanks!

I've seen a few of these lights used on beauty shoots, such as a briese light or one of these clones. Do these go by any other names? I can only seem to find them for rent, and not for sale. The closest thing I can find (in effect, not construction) might be a parabeam. This is my first post, so I hope I haven't trampled over some hidden forum rule that forbids asking this question, because as much as I searched, I couldn't quite find an answer. Also hoping I put this in the right place. Thanks all!