Lighting an Outdoor Night Scene

Dale Backus · August 1st, 2007, 04:16 PM

Awesome idea... thanks!

Eric Shepherd · August 1st, 2007, 04:18 PM

Sure, I don't know that it'll be a 100% fix, but it should help somewhat. At least to lower the chances of bugs in the shot. The winter months should be fine but I imagine you'll want to do this another time if it's feasible. :)

Jaron Berman · August 1st, 2007, 08:28 PM

Dale - FYI the honda generators are definitely great, BUT no small putt-putt genny can reliably handle its rated load constantly. For a 3000 watt honda genny, figure a 1.2K will run reliably, and you may be able to run 2 sometimes (rarely). The difference between that genny and that same model rented from a film-specific rental house can be pretty drastic - oftentimes they modify the windings to deliver max power on a single leg, or split and balanced power over 2 legs... They also mod the intake, fuel lines and control circuits to stay within tolerance to 60hz. Just know that the watts rating should be taken as... a sales spec more than an actual rating.

Marcus Marchesseault · August 3rd, 2007, 05:59 AM

I'm pretty sure someone around here was running a 1.2K HMI off a Honda EU2000i generator (search on the generator name). You definitely don't want to approach the maximum rated load, but 60% should be fine. I've used the EU1000i an it is VERY quiet for a generator but I would recommend the 2000W model.

I use fluorescent lights, large deep-cycle marine batteries, and power inverters to get 120V. I have yet to do a large scene, but I did a two-person shot on the beach with this setup once.

Bill Davis · August 3rd, 2007, 03:10 PM

Just some different thinking...

Knowing nothing about your script this might be totally off base but can you motivate the light by having your characters start a big campfire and feed/leave it burning?

Or what about taking a Coleman lantern or something similar along? Then the audience will EXPECT that as the light source.

When your audience expects a lightsource, particularly an "organic" one like a fire or lantern, it solves the problem of the darkness of the forrest, and you can pretty easily simulate it in the studio for close ups keeping your field shoot time down.

Just alternative thinking.

Marcus Marchesseault · August 3rd, 2007, 04:35 PM

If you can use Bill's suggestion, you can get away with much less "moonlight" as you only need accents here and there. Put a daylight-balanced light on some background and a kicker/hairlight on the actors and you get enough blue accents. This would avoid the need for a huge daylight source up on a crane.

Also, propane lanterns make an interesting production when they are fired up. They also make a subtle hissing sound that could be used during quiet moments to add tension.

Chris Klidonas · August 12th, 2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Backus

I'm going to be shooting a feature early next year that will take place pretty much 99% outdoors in the woods at night.

How would you recommend shooting something like this? We're thinkin about this issue now, so we can become proficient before it comes time to shoot...

Would you get a generator and use Incandescents?
Figure out a way to get the power company to hook power up to the site (this is just a theory, haven't actually researched the possibility of this yet)
LED's or Fluorescents on Batteries?

What would the best set up be for efficiency, quality, and cost saving?

Also, what technique would you use to light something like this? We were thinkin using strong lights and reflectors to light the subjects (actors) and use another light or two just to light the background enough to establish the location. Any pointers?

Thanks so much

Dale

I would look at a generator with LEDs

Ralph Keyser · August 16th, 2007, 11:33 AM

Marcus is right about those lanterns, although the hissing sound is pretty noticable on the audio track. The light they put out is interesting though. It's got very subtle variations in it (much more subtle than you could get from a flicker box) that give a little organic property to the light. Almost like it's breathing. I don't know what the color temp or CRI of gas fired lanterns might be, but it's certainly not in any sort of normal range. Despite that, we used them exclusively to light a creepy scene in an abandoned bunker, and they were just the ticket.

August 1st, 2007, 04:16 PM	#16
Dale Backus Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 132	Awesome idea... thanks!

August 1st, 2007, 04:18 PM	#17
Eric Shepherd Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 404	Sure, I don't know that it'll be a 100% fix, but it should help somewhat. At least to lower the chances of bugs in the shot. The winter months should be fine but I imagine you'll want to do this another time if it's feasible. :)

August 1st, 2007, 08:28 PM	#18
Jaron Berman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 439	Dale - FYI the honda generators are definitely great, BUT no small putt-putt genny can reliably handle its rated load constantly. For a 3000 watt honda genny, figure a 1.2K will run reliably, and you may be able to run 2 sometimes (rarely). The difference between that genny and that same model rented from a film-specific rental house can be pretty drastic - oftentimes they modify the windings to deliver max power on a single leg, or split and balanced power over 2 legs... They also mod the intake, fuel lines and control circuits to stay within tolerance to 60hz. Just know that the watts rating should be taken as... a sales spec more than an actual rating.

August 3rd, 2007, 05:59 AM	#19
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	I'm pretty sure someone around here was running a 1.2K HMI off a Honda EU2000i generator (search on the generator name). You definitely don't want to approach the maximum rated load, but 60% should be fine. I've used the EU1000i an it is VERY quiet for a generator but I would recommend the 2000W model. I use fluorescent lights, large deep-cycle marine batteries, and power inverters to get 120V. I have yet to do a large scene, but I did a two-person shot on the beach with this setup once.

August 3rd, 2007, 03:10 PM	#20
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Just some different thinking... Knowing nothing about your script this might be totally off base but can you motivate the light by having your characters start a big campfire and feed/leave it burning? Or what about taking a Coleman lantern or something similar along? Then the audience will EXPECT that as the light source. When your audience expects a lightsource, particularly an "organic" one like a fire or lantern, it solves the problem of the darkness of the forrest, and you can pretty easily simulate it in the studio for close ups keeping your field shoot time down. Just alternative thinking.

August 3rd, 2007, 04:35 PM	#21
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	If you can use Bill's suggestion, you can get away with much less "moonlight" as you only need accents here and there. Put a daylight-balanced light on some background and a kicker/hairlight on the actors and you get enough blue accents. This would avoid the need for a huge daylight source up on a crane. Also, propane lanterns make an interesting production when they are fired up. They also make a subtle hissing sound that could be used during quiet moments to add tension.

August 16th, 2007, 11:33 AM	#23
Ralph Keyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 287	Marcus is right about those lanterns, although the hissing sound is pretty noticable on the audio track. The light they put out is interesting though. It's got very subtle variations in it (much more subtle than you could get from a flicker box) that give a little organic property to the light. Almost like it's breathing. I don't know what the color temp or CRI of gas fired lanterns might be, but it's certainly not in any sort of normal range. Despite that, we used them exclusively to light a creepy scene in an abandoned bunker, and they were just the ticket.