For rentals you’ll have to make a drive. Several years ago I
rented from Serious Grip and Electric and they were great. It’s
about 60 miles from you. We were shooting just over the river in
Marietta.
You can check out Light Fantastic in Silver Spring about 80 miles
from you and Location Lighting in Oreland.
I hate shooting day-for-night and hate the look, but if that’s all
you can do, it’s a viable option. Some people have made it look
fine.
For your key light, the bigger the better. 5k or more would be
great. But you can light with just a few 1k’s placed well. And you
will need power, so a generator is essential. No way will you be
able to purchase a quiet genny and lights for $800 so renting may
be your only option.
Any name brand light kit with a couple of 1k’s will work - maybe
not at the optimum but with some creativity you can do fine. Place
as many lights as you can behind trees - facing the background -
keep it from just going black. Use smaller lights on the actors so
you can keep the iris open and resist the temptation to bring up
the gain.
I will be shooting in two weeks with battery operated Litepanels -
exterior, night. Not that that helps you, those things are very
expensive and for the most part rental items, but I’m looking
forward to seeing what we can do out in the middle of nowhere with
these lights.