Beginner lighting needs

[dramaqueen]

I couldn't find what I was looking for when searching the forums, so please bear with me

We are beginner film makers will be shooting short films and webisodes, most of which will be interior shots. We have a variety of possible shoot locations, each having different existing light sources, room sizes, etc. We are trying to figure what lighting setup (items) are a must-have for a beginner film maker.

We are looking for the basics, but are not sure what we should choose in terms of types of lights and lighting accessories - softboxes, floodlights, umbrellas, reflectors, backlighting, etc. We have a small budget ($200-250) and have looked online at different packages and one-offs.

So if you were just starting out, what items would you say are musts?

Thank you for your time.

 

[directorik]

I don't think you'll be able to equip yourself well for your price
range, but with some creativity, you should be able to built a
suitable beginner kit you can add to as you go.

Lowel makes nice kits. Tungsten lights with stands, barndoors
and hard case. Britek makes nice light kits - cheaper than Lowel
and not as durable, but very usable. You can also check Arri
lights - more expensive and worth every penny. I have a Lowel
6 light kit with the Omni’s and Tota’s that I bought new in 1990
and am still using it 19 years later.

For a nice beginning light kit I recommend:
A couple of work lights with stands from any home improvement
store.

Five or six “scoop lights” - those clamp on work lights with the silver
reflector.

Three or four pieces of Foamcore from any art supply store to use to
bounce the light.

Two or three paper lanterns that you can get at Ikea. I hook each
one to a dimmer (home improvement store again) to get better control.

Some colored gels (check on line or if there is a small theater in your
town they often have extras) and some black wrap. Check Studio Depot

This example kind of puts all the links in perspective.

http://www.darkcrimes.com/movies/lighting:example.mov

Here's a do-it-yourself Croney Cone made from foamcore and gaff tape.

 

[dramaqueen]

I don't think you'll be able to equip yourself well for your price
range, but with some creativity, you should be able to built a
suitable beginner kit you can add to as you go.

Lowel makes nice kits. Tungsten lights with stands, barndoors
and hard case. Britek makes nice light kits - cheaper than Lowel
and not as durable, but very usable. You can also check Arri
lights - more expensive and worth every penny. I have a Lowel
6 light kit with the Omni’s and Tota’s that I bought new in 1990
and am still using it 19 years later.

For a nice beginning light kit I recommend:
A couple of work lights with stands from any home improvement
store.

Five or six “scoop lights” - those clamp on work lights with the silver
reflector.

Three or four pieces of Foamcore from any art supply store to use to
bounce the light.

Two or three paper lanterns that you can get at Ikea. I hook each
one to a dimmer (home improvement store again) to get better control.

Some colored gels (check on line or if there is a small theater in your
town they often have extras) and some black wrap. Check Studio Depot

This example kind of puts all the links in perspective.

http://www.darkcrimes.com/movies/lighting:example.mov

Here's a do-it-yourself Croney Cone made from foamcore and gaff tape.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with me. I know that our budget is an obstacle, but we hope to upgrade as time goes on. We have most of the other pieces of the puzzle in place, and lighting is the one area where we have nothing. We are hoping to borrow/barter with fellow indy friends to supplement what we lack.

I will forward this message to my husband (he's directing/shooting/editing) and see if he has any questions.

Again, thank you so much for your help. We have a few good scripts (shorts), actors, cameras, and editing suite (hubby's been in video, graphics and interactive software development and user for 12 years now) and this has been our sticking point. We're looking forward to getting some of these stories told.