Lighting workshop

Today we had a lighting workshop in preparation for our music videos. We learnt about how to use the lights safely and the different lighting effects / techniques. 

We will be using a Red Head light as our key light during the shoot day. In order to have the least shadowing you must place the key light near to the camera, however this isn't essential as for some lighting techniques / effects other lights will be used to counter the shadows. 

We were immediately taught about the dangers of the light blowing during the shoot day. The power of these film lights creates so much heat that the bulbs blow a lot more frequently than usual house lights. Because of this, all of the lights have a metal scrim to stop glass flying out and potentially hurting someone. 

Red Head lights are very intense and so they create very sharp shadows. In order to soften the shadows we will be using 'frost' and 'spun'. This plastic paper diffuses the light and the light breaks off into different directions, softening the beam. 

3 POINT LIGHTING

Three point lighting is the most standard lighting technique used. It is used for filming interviews and news reports. It is made from three lights, the Key light (Red Head), a Fill light and a back light. The Fill light is a second Red Head light used to fill in the shadows created by the key light. The back light is a Blonde light used to give an edge around our subject that separates them from the background. It is raised higher than the other lights and angled downwards, towards our subject. 

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Polystyrene is commonly used to create a more natural fill / bounce light. Having polystyrene instead of having a fill light creates a softer, more natural effect that still fills in the shadows. 

Theatre flats wrapped in gel plastic can also be used a light diffusers to make the intense light smoother. It  also spreads the light better and so the quality of the light equal from head to toe.

Matte Box's are also commonly used to get rid of 'dirty light' showing in the shot. Makes the shot look smoother as it gets rid of the glistening light in the corners of the shot.

FLUORESCENT TUBE LIGHTS 

These lights are thin tubular lights. It is impossible to dim these lights as they need all of the power to work. If you reduce the power they will switch off. We are given many gel tubes to put around these lights that create different colours. 

The same principles apply with these lights, you need a key light and a back light. 

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Colours can also be made by bouncing light off of objects. For example, we bounced the Red Head light off of a bright green wall and it created a soft green light.