What is the best way to light an interview for drama? at DVinfo.net

David Delaney · July 24th, 2006, 04:28 PM

I have a talking heads interview and I want to light it for drama. What is the bset setup? It is going to be in an office and I have the light kit from Rostronics, the Brightek with (2) 300/600watt lights and (1) 250 watt light and an extra 150watt kicker light.

Don Bloom · July 24th, 2006, 04:43 PM

Depends on a few things but if it were me I would start with a key lite at about 45 degrees off the subject to throw a longer heavier shadow off the nose across the check. Then I would run a fill lite just to open up that shadow somewhat. Just enough to put a bit of detail in the skin. I would then use a smaller wattage lite just to skim the hair and throw a few highlites in it. I would let the background go dark focus on the subjects eyes to make sure they're sharp as a tack (I want to see the key lite in the pupils of the eyes at about the 10 or 11 o'clock position).
Of course all of this is contingent on the subject and the interview topic.
I'm sure some other folks will have different ideas so heres a trick I learned about 35 years ago when I first learned how to use kights. Go to a wig store and buy a wig head. (thats what beauty shops and such use to display wigs) and set it up on a stool or something to simulate a persons head and play with the lighting. You would be surprised what a little move here or there can do to the look.
Don B.

David Delaney · July 24th, 2006, 06:51 PM

Thanks Don, much appreciated. Anyone else?

July 24th, 2006, 04:28 PM	#1
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	What is the best way to light an interview for drama? I have a talking heads interview and I want to light it for drama. What is the bset setup? It is going to be in an office and I have the light kit from Rostronics, the Brightek with (2) 300/600watt lights and (1) 250 watt light and an extra 150watt kicker light.

July 24th, 2006, 04:43 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Depends on a few things but if it were me I would start with a key lite at about 45 degrees off the subject to throw a longer heavier shadow off the nose across the check. Then I would run a fill lite just to open up that shadow somewhat. Just enough to put a bit of detail in the skin. I would then use a smaller wattage lite just to skim the hair and throw a few highlites in it. I would let the background go dark focus on the subjects eyes to make sure they're sharp as a tack (I want to see the key lite in the pupils of the eyes at about the 10 or 11 o'clock position). Of course all of this is contingent on the subject and the interview topic. I'm sure some other folks will have different ideas so heres a trick I learned about 35 years ago when I first learned how to use kights. Go to a wig store and buy a wig head. (thats what beauty shops and such use to display wigs) and set it up on a stool or something to simulate a persons head and play with the lighting. You would be surprised what a little move here or there can do to the look. Don B.

July 24th, 2006, 06:51 PM	#3
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Thanks Don, much appreciated. Anyone else?