Usually it's a lot cheaper to find a workable location than build a set however this has the disadvantages of being cramped, having little power e.t.c. Low budget filming is therefore all about compromise and being able to adapt. The following are some useful points that will help in low budget shooting.
- Use close ups, they are easier to light and cheaper in every department literally: fewer costumes, fewer extras, less makeup e.t.c.
- If it's not necessary to the shoot and it costs money, why bother?
- Less is more: establish a low level base fill for the room and then concentrate on lighting the actors.
- Less is enough: cameras are far more sensitive to light these days so you can often use lower than 1ks and 2ks.
- Keep it simple, adding lights will usually require more light to counter it or even it out.
- Make walls interesting with cookies and lamps that cast interesting shadows. Just don't put a lot of light on to the walls.
- Don't be afraid of shadows, it's fine for actors to walk through them just don't have them delivering important lines there.
- Make use of natural light, it could well look natural!
- Balance is everything. It's not so much about the amount of light as much as it is about the balance of light sources.
- Expose to the middle of the iris f/4 or f/5.6. At f/8 or f/12 you have too much light unless you are looking for a shallow depth of field or there is too much light coming through a window.
Here's the ultimate example of low budget lighting. Michael Winterbottom's nine songs was lit entirely with available light on location. Here it fits perfectly with its attempt to have a low key vibe and capture a sense of realism and familiarity.
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