Lighting Without Lights

Pictured above: Michelle Acuna (Em) in Independent Western, “Bounty” (2009)

Bounty (2009), HVX100 with Red Rock Adapter. Chocolate Filter in front of lens. Lit with the sun and a bounce board about 50 feet from the actress, wearing dirt FX make up, to give an edge light on her left cheek. Colored by Allen Kelly at Filmlook Media & Post.

By Jared Isham

No Lights? No Problem

One of the most common complaints or excuses I hear from filmmakers is that they don’t have the right gear to make something. To be honest, I’ve made that excuse a few times and it is likely the easiest cop out for actually getting anything done. Fortunately for you, I’m not writing this to motivate you into taking initiative and telling you to just do the work. That kind of information is oftentimes pointless without any kind of solution presented. I want to give you practical tools that can help you achieve success when the lack of gear seems to be what stands in the way of you making a film.