Diffusion cloth in overhead sun scenes question at DVinfo.net

Silas Barker · September 16th, 2010, 02:28 PM

Shooting a short film tomorrow and Saturday...

Thinking of using white bed sheets as a diffusion cloth, since we will be shooting in the sun from 2pm to 7pm and the actors will be in all different positions with the sun behind, in front, above, etc.....

I am assuming that the diffusion cloth will only be good for medium wide to close up shots because at some point the shadow of the cloth would show up................is that correct??

Eric Lagerlof · September 17th, 2010, 09:54 AM

Silas, if there is a rental house nearby, you may want to rent something like an 8' x 10' silk and frame (or if you can get away with a smaller frame, a 4' x 6'). Bedsheets sound messy to rig and will act about as much as a flag as a diffuser. Check with the rental guys about the whole supporting rig including 'beach', sandbags
to make sure a breeze doesn't turn your silk into a parachute...

I realize it adds approx. $50 to your budget but both the look and the hassle factor may be worth it. OTOH, if you have no budget, you'll still need c-stands or something similar to stretch the sheets between. And working with just available light can sometimes be quite nice...or on the wide shots simply necessary. Good Luck!

September 16th, 2010, 02:28 PM	#1
Silas Barker Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 577	Diffusion cloth in overhead sun scenes question Shooting a short film tomorrow and Saturday... Thinking of using white bed sheets as a diffusion cloth, since we will be shooting in the sun from 2pm to 7pm and the actors will be in all different positions with the sun behind, in front, above, etc..... I am assuming that the diffusion cloth will only be good for medium wide to close up shots because at some point the shadow of the cloth would show up................is that correct??

September 17th, 2010, 09:54 AM	#2
Eric Lagerlof Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pacifica, CA Posts: 348	Silas, if there is a rental house nearby, you may want to rent something like an 8' x 10' silk and frame (or if you can get away with a smaller frame, a 4' x 6'). Bedsheets sound messy to rig and will act about as much as a flag as a diffuser. Check with the rental guys about the whole supporting rig including 'beach', sandbags to make sure a breeze doesn't turn your silk into a parachute... I realize it adds approx. $50 to your budget but both the look and the hassle factor may be worth it. OTOH, if you have no budget, you'll still need c-stands or something similar to stretch the sheets between. And working with just available light can sometimes be quite nice...or on the wide shots simply necessary. Good Luck!