HELP WITH LIGHTING

[TOM VENESS]

Im training in cinematography at University. One scene for a film I want to shoot is in a black studio. Im filming two people together in a cherographed dance sequence. i want it to be mostly dark, but with minimal light on their bodies. So half the screen is in darkness but the other other half we see their bodies in a soft light. Does anyone one know the best way to achieve this? way the lights would be set up etc. Please see example from Chris cunninghams " Flex" shot by alex Barber. Chris Cunningham Image at bottom left of screen

Also are there any decent cheap lights that you can buy?

What are the best lights to use for soft lighting?

 

Any help would be appreciated thank you

[Michael Nash]

You're basically talking about a black curtain and a soft sidelight. You can use almost any kind of light, either pushed through a silk or a frame of diffusion. You can also bounce light off something white like a piece of foamcore or beadboard. The larger the surface of the diffusion or bounce, the softer the source becomes.

 

Put it to the side or slightly behind you dancers to give them more of an edge light. If you edge them from both sides but add no front light you can have a semi-silhouette, revealing their figures and movements without revealing details about their faces or wardrobe. If you have access to a studio at your school you can hang lights from the grid, instead of putting them on stands. Make sure you flag the soft light (in front of the disffusion source) to keep it from spilling onto your black curtain.

 

Lastly (and again) -- don't buy your lights. Rent them. Or borrow them from your school.

[Fredrik Backar FSF]

I second that! :D

And buying your lights comes with insurance and mending fees.

 

Try something if u want... I used Lycra as diffusion on a similar shot. I put it on a 2m by 2m frame and shot 4 2k`s through it. It softens very well but eats alot of light.

 

Good luck!