Nuts and Bolts of Lighting at DVinfo.net

Jim Andrada · December 28th, 2007, 11:43 PM

And clamps and stands etc.

Does anyone know of a good book or other resource that focuses on the physical aspects of setting up lighting? I think I have enough of a library on how to light for artistic effect, green screen etc.

What I'm looking for is something that will give me an education on rigging or setting up the lighting instruments, so I can plan what I need to buy in addition to the lights themselves.

Jaron Berman · December 29th, 2007, 12:04 AM

Well, if it doesn't plug in, then it's probably considered "grip" equipment. Stands, mounts, dollies, cranes, camera cars, flags, scrims, diffusion - all fall under the grip department, and hence to find more info on those matters, look for "grip" as opposed to "lighting." It'll cover a lot more than you're asking, but a great resource is Michael Uva's "The Grip Book." Uva's books are the bibles of griptionary, and that particular book covers the various tools of the trade... and will probably leave you with the (correct) assumption that you should buy every mount, stand, widget, gadget ever made that could cleverly solve a possible situation. The cool and sometimes scary realization about gripping is that if you encounter a strange mounting situation, there's probably a tool you don't own that can solve it. One more thing to buy. That said, a grip is also a problem solver... like an on-set engineer - so don't think that you're limited - if you make it work safely, then you're doing it right.

Hope that answers your question?

Jim Andrada · December 29th, 2007, 12:21 AM

Jason,

Thanks for the lead. I'll follow up on it.

Simon Hunt · December 29th, 2007, 02:04 AM

Set Lighting Technicians Handbook by Harry C. Box. Published by Focal Press. This book is used as a text book by many organizations in the film and TV industry.

Jack Walker · December 29th, 2007, 03:51 AM

"Set Lighting Technician's Handbook":
http://www.amazon.com/Set-Lighting-T...8919620&sr=8-2

"The Grip Book":
http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Book-Thir...8919620&sr=8-1

And for good measure, "The Camera Assistant":
http://www.amazon.com/Camera-Assista...8919620&sr=8-4

All three books have full table of contents you can read on line, so see if they cover what you want. All three are excellent.

Jim Andrada · December 29th, 2007, 11:42 AM

Thanks again for the suggestions. I have the Box book and it has a lot of good info on power, cabling etc but I didn't find enough on the mechanics of rigging the instruments which is what prompted the question. I think The Grip Book looks like a winner though.

I'm not going to get into any really heavy duty setups (at least not yet!) but want to be smart enough to be able to know more about what kind of clamp or stud will fit what kind of light, how to actually hang the lights so they don't fall down, etc.

I ordered it last night.

Ian Planchon · December 29th, 2007, 04:51 PM

here is a great DVD, it is mostly for ENG style shoots, but if thats what you shoot, you are in luck. this video is awesome.

http://www.vortexmedia.com/LightingDVD/LIGHTING.html

December 28th, 2007, 11:43 PM	#1
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Nuts and Bolts of Lighting And clamps and stands etc. Does anyone know of a good book or other resource that focuses on the physical aspects of setting up lighting? I think I have enough of a library on how to light for artistic effect, green screen etc. What I'm looking for is something that will give me an education on rigging or setting up the lighting instruments, so I can plan what I need to buy in addition to the lights themselves.

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December 29th, 2007, 12:04 AM	#2
Jaron Berman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 439	Well, if it doesn't plug in, then it's probably considered "grip" equipment. Stands, mounts, dollies, cranes, camera cars, flags, scrims, diffusion - all fall under the grip department, and hence to find more info on those matters, look for "grip" as opposed to "lighting." It'll cover a lot more than you're asking, but a great resource is Michael Uva's "The Grip Book." Uva's books are the bibles of griptionary, and that particular book covers the various tools of the trade... and will probably leave you with the (correct) assumption that you should buy every mount, stand, widget, gadget ever made that could cleverly solve a possible situation. The cool and sometimes scary realization about gripping is that if you encounter a strange mounting situation, there's probably a tool you don't own that can solve it. One more thing to buy. That said, a grip is also a problem solver... like an on-set engineer - so don't think that you're limited - if you make it work safely, then you're doing it right. Hope that answers your question?

December 29th, 2007, 12:21 AM	#3
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Jason, Thanks for the lead. I'll follow up on it.

December 29th, 2007, 02:04 AM	#4
Simon Hunt New Boot Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 24	Set Lighting Technicians Handbook by Harry C. Box. Published by Focal Press. This book is used as a text book by many organizations in the film and TV industry.

December 29th, 2007, 03:51 AM	#5
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	"Set Lighting Technician's Handbook": http://www.amazon.com/Set-Lighting-T...8919620&sr=8-2 "The Grip Book": http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Book-Thir...8919620&sr=8-1 And for good measure, "The Camera Assistant": http://www.amazon.com/Camera-Assista...8919620&sr=8-4 All three books have full table of contents you can read on line, so see if they cover what you want. All three are excellent.

December 29th, 2007, 11:42 AM	#6
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Thanks again for the suggestions. I have the Box book and it has a lot of good info on power, cabling etc but I didn't find enough on the mechanics of rigging the instruments which is what prompted the question. I think The Grip Book looks like a winner though. I'm not going to get into any really heavy duty setups (at least not yet!) but want to be smart enough to be able to know more about what kind of clamp or stud will fit what kind of light, how to actually hang the lights so they don't fall down, etc. I ordered it last night.

December 29th, 2007, 04:51 PM	#7
Ian Planchon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: an Alaskan living in Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 513	here is a great DVD, it is mostly for ENG style shoots, but if thats what you shoot, you are in luck. this video is awesome. http://www.vortexmedia.com/LightingDVD/LIGHTING.html