lighting a two person dialogue scene on a budget? at DVinfo.net

Lee Tamer · September 27th, 2010, 08:26 AM

I was wondering how to light a standard two person dialogue scene.

The setting will either be my house or my friend's apartment. I will be shooting on a Canon EOS 7D, which i know works well in low light situations.

The question is, for additional lighting, what should I use if i have next to no budget. I do have an option to check out some lighting equipment from my college though,

any ideas?

Dan Brockett · September 27th, 2010, 09:40 AM

Are you shooting singe camera? You have zero lights, grip and electric and zero budget? You had better find a location that has some good available light. Not to say that you can't end up with a nice looking scene without lighting it, but it is much more difficult. Soft diffused window light will be your friend.

If had a good budget, I would probably still try to emulate window light, it is the most motivated source in most rooms, especially if you ever will see windows.

Dan

Lee Tamer · September 27th, 2010, 11:17 AM

I'm hoping to get my hands on a second 7D, but if I cant, it'll be single camera.

I was thinking of using maybe a simple china lantern above the two actors heads. I'm not sure what else i'll be able to get,

Like i said i'll be able to check out equipment from school, i'm just not sure how much

Bruce Foreman · September 27th, 2010, 11:33 AM

I sometimes use a single Smith-Victor with 10" reflector and a bright white 100W equivalent CFL bulb and "redirect" it for each actor. If the actors are good I'll have them deliver all their lines, breaking it up a bit for camera repositioning, then switch the light position and direction for the other.

The other approach I use is to reposition light and camera for each actor as their "turn" comes up. That's the way I worked this one:

It keeps you busy but it works.

Dan Brockett · September 27th, 2010, 12:23 PM

If you are going to shoot two camera, I like your idea of a China Ball. I shot project about 3 weeks ago, four people at a table, six camera shoot like a poker game. My key light was a 30" China Ball with a 650 watt tungsten EGW bulb. You can get the entire setup at FilmTools for around $50.00. It works great except that you have to build a skirt around it so the soft light doesn't go everywhere, making your scene look too flat.

We used Duvetine to make the skirt but we needed a lot of C-stand arms and Mafer clamps, if you have no budget, not sure how you will control the light without grip tools.

Dan

September 27th, 2010, 08:26 AM	#1
Lee Tamer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 188	lighting a two person dialogue scene on a budget? I was wondering how to light a standard two person dialogue scene. The setting will either be my house or my friend's apartment. I will be shooting on a Canon EOS 7D, which i know works well in low light situations. The question is, for additional lighting, what should I use if i have next to no budget. I do have an option to check out some lighting equipment from my college though, any ideas?

September 27th, 2010, 11:33 AM	#4
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	I sometimes use a single Smith-Victor with 10" reflector and a bright white 100W equivalent CFL bulb and "redirect" it for each actor. If the actors are good I'll have them deliver all their lines, breaking it up a bit for camera repositioning, then switch the light position and direction for the other. The other approach I use is to reposition light and camera for each actor as their "turn" comes up. That's the way I worked this one: The Devil's Due on Vimeo It keeps you busy but it works.

September 27th, 2010, 09:40 AM	#2
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Are you shooting singe camera? You have zero lights, grip and electric and zero budget? You had better find a location that has some good available light. Not to say that you can't end up with a nice looking scene without lighting it, but it is much more difficult. Soft diffused window light will be your friend. If had a good budget, I would probably still try to emulate window light, it is the most motivated source in most rooms, especially if you ever will see windows. Dan

September 27th, 2010, 11:17 AM	#3
Lee Tamer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 188	I'm hoping to get my hands on a second 7D, but if I cant, it'll be single camera. I was thinking of using maybe a simple china lantern above the two actors heads. I'm not sure what else i'll be able to get, Like i said i'll be able to check out equipment from school, i'm just not sure how much

September 27th, 2010, 12:23 PM	#5
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	If you are going to shoot two camera, I like your idea of a China Ball. I shot project about 3 weeks ago, four people at a table, six camera shoot like a poker game. My key light was a 30" China Ball with a 650 watt tungsten EGW bulb. You can get the entire setup at FilmTools for around $50.00. It works great except that you have to build a skirt around it so the soft light doesn't go everywhere, making your scene look too flat. We used Duvetine to make the skirt but we needed a lot of C-stand arms and Mafer clamps, if you have no budget, not sure how you will control the light without grip tools. Dan