Lighting Low-Budget Locations, Part 2

Here is a diagram and description of a scene shot by the author of Lighting for Digital Video and Television. This was lit with two 650 watt fresnels. The key light is diffused with the barn doors cutting the light from the walls. The other light is bounced off the ceiling. A backlight is unnecessary as the players are wearing white headgear.

Using existing light is very important for low budget filmmaking, mostly because it's free. It is of the upmost importance that you scout the location at different times to see what the natural light is like in the morning, afternoon and before sunset. Always try and rearrange the light with reflectors or mirrors instead of lighting with a large natural light source present.

In the above video apart from the already available light, the steadycam shots of the boys rapping directly into the camera were lit with nothing but one handheld LED light held by another crew member directly behind the camera about head height pointing down. This added the needed definition to the subject(s). I think it works really well as it brings out the subject just the right amount.