lighting for a music video
 

hey all,

im making a music video that requires a ton of location footage. i won't have much time to have a full lighting setup, but i want the lighting and look to be as close to mark romanek's "99 problems" video as i can get it. mainly, im worried about being able to light black faces with the same beautiful look as in this video. should be noted that my lighting budget is probably $1,000 for 2 days of shooting all around d.c., and probably 50 setups at least.

i am thinking about shooting on 24p on a canon xl2.

here is the 99 problems video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwoM5fLITfk

Are you shooting in B&W like that video? Or will you go to B&W in post? Or is it just a color version of that video? I don't see a problem as it looks like a lot of natural lighting and a lot of outdoors stuff that also appears to be natural as well. Have you shot any tests yet to see if you can get that look? That's what I would be doing right now as prep work.

i was thinking about shooting in color, just so i have the option. but im 90% sure the final product will be black and white. only reason id choose color is if there are serious image problems with the black and white, like the faces being too dark. as for testing it out, thats a great idea and ill try that. however, i dont have access to an xl2, id have to rent one. so id have to test on a gl2.

At bat with lots of (lighting) strikes
 

Hi Trent,

Wow, that's a tough one. With all your location shoots, you're stuck with portable lights and reflectors. As you pointed out, dark skins require extra lighting consideration. And as much as I love my XL-2s, with your lighting problems and 24P will be a real challenge. Hopefully, you'll be able to change the camera presets (wedding) to help a bit, but be sure to give yourself a few days to get comfortable with the camera setting under actual lighting situations - and not just the viewfinder, but look closely on a big screen!

Anyway, don't short-change yourself with low lighting with all your challenges. Consider getting a few NRG Varalux units, a reflector, some extra help and plenty of battery power. But if the video is limited to YouTube, you can probably get buy with one unit.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Regards, Michael

Color with B&W in post is a good option and leaves things open for you. Just be aware that its really not B&W as in B&W film that you're getting but more like "grayscale" which is a bit different in look. You'll definitely have to pay attention to lighting as it can really look different between color and grayscale.

Test test test as much as possible to get ready and know how you're going to accomplish each shot. Hope you have a shot plan or storyboard as it will help you be aware of the challenges of each shot.

As for lighting, if you can't bring fixtures, I'd definitely take lots of reflectors for the shoot day as that's a quick and easy lighting system for outdoors use.

Hey Trent

I recently read a nice article about that videoclip with an interview with Mark Romanek and the DP. They also discuss the lighting.

http://www.mvwire.com/dynamic/articl....asp?AID=10854

I love that videoclip btw, good luck with it

A lot of those shots just have a bright light (probably daylight color) just over the camera as a fill. There are only a few backlit shots and they let some of those blow out. If you arrange your shots so you are rarely backlit, you won't need many lights. Of course, the light you use will need to be very bright. Definitely bring a few reflectors and a decent-sized diffuser.

XL-2 Presets
 

BTW, I should have stressed several preset settings that heavily influence your XL-2: BLACK (Stretch=bright/noisy, Press=dark/crush blacks), SETUP LEVEL and MASTER PEDESTAL=low/down to reduce visual noise (epecially in black areas).

dvCREATORS has the definitive video on XL-2 settings:

http://dvcreators.net/media/demos/xl...aturetour.html

Watch this several times before you get the XL-2; it's well worth the time.

Enjoy, Michael

thanks all for your replies. very helpful. i have some more info now and realize this video, if decent, has a good chance of being shown on the BET J tv network (and getting me my first real exposure!!!!). therefore i think i should find a great camera that would shoot well for tv but also would cost no more than 400 per day.