More production stills in the print edition. Get the Magazine delivered to your doorstep today! Order Bulk Subscriptions for your film school, library, or organization.
 Lighting the 'Whale Room' for an HD Multi-Camera Shoot for a Television Satellite Channel
Let's keep the challenge alive!
by Laurent Andrieux
...Continued from Previous Page
I won’t be able to put gels on every window, as there are too many windows. I only have a half day to set things up, and another half day for rehearsals and corrections. I also have only one gaffer with me.
But we’re going to use about 50 kW anyway, and the cameras will work between 4 and 5.6 with a - 3 dB gain.
And, the production has limited resources to do the gig.
Let’s keep the challenge alive!
This is the set-up I used for the shoot:
- With limited resources (no towers), 2 6kW HMI Cinepar were put on the only balconies available with 1 on each main window around the set. Gelled in 1/2 CTO to match the average inside color temperature plus ND 6 and half white diffusion. They will provide hard cold backlight evocative of the sea and sun proximity.
- 2 5kW tungsten Fresnel lamps for the guests. Both equipped with Chimeras and gelled with Cosmetic peach. It allows me to match with the practical lights and give a soft, warm look to the faces.
- 2 1kW tungsten Fresnel lamps as a backlight on the guests.
- 3 2kW tungsten Fresnel lamps for the Prince and the MC, also with Chimeras and Cosmetic Peach.
- 2 5kW Tungsten Chinese lanterns as a key light for the whole room in the background.
- 2 1kW Tungsten Fresnel lamps for the whale.
- 2 redheads for the background walls.
- And, a series of 1 kW, 650, 500 Fresnel lamps for the showcases and different elements around us, that had no practical light at all.
I liked the challenge, because I think we did respect the natural ambient light, managed the sun quite well and had a very good image for a television show.
Photos by the author.
This article appeared in StudentFilmmakers Magazine, (May 2009 Edition, Page 4-7) and may not be reprinted in print or internet publications without express permission of StudentFilmmakers.com.
 About the Author
Laurent Andrieux is a director of photography, camera operator, and cinematography teacher based in France. http://www.cinematographie.info
Get the Magazine delivered to your doorstep today!
Order Bulk Subscriptions for your film school, library, or organization.
Filmmaking, Digital Imaging, and Motion Picture Production Resources:
About StudentFilmmakers Magazine & StudentFilmmakers.com >>
Join the Film and Digital Networking Community >>
Post Your Films, Videos, Reels, and Trailers >>
Discuss Motion Picture Techniques in the Online Industry Forums >>
Get the StudentFilmmakers.com E-Newsletter >>
Subscribe to the Magazine >>
StudentFilmmakers magazine would like to hear from you!
Click here to share your comments and feedback about the magazine, monthly editions, your favorite articles, and your favorite topics.
We always welcome and appreciate your Reader Comments. View them here, and send yours to the editorial team today!
|