Can't I just go to home depot and buy some lights and switch out the bulbs with something of better film making quality. Any tips on getting a good lighting setup for under $300?

Thanks!

I think there's already been a lot said here about that. All you need to do is a search for "worklights" or "work lights", "home depot", etc. and you'll see a lot of comments already made here in the past on the subject. In addition you have people like me that have posted information on how to modify them to be more useful:

http://www.coollights.biz/wordpress/archives/21

The worklights are a great beginner solution but you might also consider fluorescent shoplights too because the halogen worklights really generate some serious heat in smaller spaces.

What are you planning to do with the lights? Your type of work makes an impact on what you need in your lighting kit. The basics are soft lights and hard lights. If I were doing interviews, I would want one of each. A soft light as a key and a hard light as a kicker/backlight. A reflector should work as fill if you have strong lights.

get one 1000w flood

( http://www.smithvictor.com/products/detail.asp?prodid=173&id=16&pid=2&s1=Lights&s2=Quartz+Lights&nm=750SG )

and bounce it off a white 4X4 foamcore for your keylight....


then get a couple of par64 dj/stage lights as your side/hair lights and background lights.....

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_american_dj_par_64_can_with_lamp_black?full_sku=801280&src=4WFRWXX

With that budget, its do it yourself. About a year ago, I found some lights at Lowes that were 300 watts, and exented about 5ft in height. They telespcoped, So I took of the top half, bought telespoping paint roller poles, cut off the aluminum thread end that attached to the paint roller, and drilled a hole that would accept the head that was part of the work light. Got me to 9ft or more in height. Also bought some cheap speed control units at Harbor Freight that you can plug the lights into an vary the light intensity.

I've seen a soft box for this type set up that includes use of a large disposable aluminum turkey pan, and baking paper used as a diffuser. Will use that some day, though I had bought two cheap softboxes from Rostronics that do fine.

I bought 2 2k fresnel light fixtures on ebay for $320 w/shipping, just a few months ago. I replaced the 2k bulbs with 1k and it's working out well. Check pyramid-films on ebay, here is an item similar to one i bought: 180110534763

Coleman makes a nice worklight that has a 7' stand with it:

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-Two-Light-Floodlight-Adjustable/dp/B000289BBE/ref=sr_1_1/104-2369683-0973518?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1177722059&sr=8-1

I use ACDelco Worklights with GE Softwhite screw in flourescent spiral bulbs. They work like a champ, I'm currently putting on barndoors using the http://www.coollights.biz plans and have painted them with flat black high temp spray paint.

I also have some gels and a roll of parchment paper, a china ball with a bare socket, 5 craftsman 500w worklights (clearance ;) ) few sheets of foamcore, some black seethrough fabric with a fine weave for scrimming windows etc...black smaller foamcore for flagging lights, bunch of various old stands from rummage sales and auctions. Tent pole with screws through it that set into 2 lighting stands to make a cross bar for adding a backlight behind. cords, adapters, circuit testers, leather gloves.