Darkness

Rick Spilman · February 17th, 2003, 09:05 PM

What is both fun and maddening here is that you are forced into being the videographer and set designer.

You should probably check into the available power in the mine, if you haven't already. A few thousand watt halogen work lights might trip the breaker at the exactly the wrong time. Total darkness in the middle of a wedding deep underground would really not be fun.

I love the idea of using work lights to illuminate the walls or part of them anyway. Using gels for color is also a great idea.

For the accent lighting, one inexpensive way to go would be to get consumer grade flourscent lighting sticks, the sort that you can install under cabinets and such and use gell to color correct as you wish. They are small and can be hidden behind flowers, railings, steps and so forth and can give a nice defuse light. They are also cool and less likely to set things on fire than halogen lights.

Casey Visco · February 17th, 2003, 11:12 PM

i was just thinking there may be more to this problem than simply lighting...what about good audio? if this place is as big and peculiar as you say it is...are voices going to get lost in the reverb of the place?

Frank Granovski · February 17th, 2003, 11:48 PM

Yeah, sound. That could be a problem. What kind of mic or mics are you planning on using?

James Graham · February 18th, 2003, 03:21 AM

The bride and groom will be wired with sennheisser uhf mics. As we will all be in the same chamber I can't see a problem with reception. I'll also be capturing ambient sound from the cave to add to the surreal mix.

Right now, I'm pretty much set on using halogens with jury rigged gels to create definition and depth in the environment. I just need to settle on a suitably cheap and effective method of accent lighting and I'm ready to rock and roll.

You are right about the power, Rick. I'll definitely be checking that out beforehand. I've read about some of those disaster stories in John Jackman's lighting book.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

Alex Taylor · February 18th, 2003, 07:43 PM

This sounds like it's going to look really amazing in the end! You definitely have to give us a few shots of the finished video.

I'm sure the still photographer will appreciate your lights as well! :)

February 17th, 2003, 11:12 PM	#17
Casey Visco Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 280	i was just thinking there may be more to this problem than simply lighting...what about good audio? if this place is as big and peculiar as you say it is...are voices going to get lost in the reverb of the place? __________________ Casey Visco Glidecam Industries, Inc.

February 18th, 2003, 03:21 AM	#19
James Graham New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 24	The bride and groom will be wired with sennheisser uhf mics. As we will all be in the same chamber I can't see a problem with reception. I'll also be capturing ambient sound from the cave to add to the surreal mix. Right now, I'm pretty much set on using halogens with jury rigged gels to create definition and depth in the environment. I just need to settle on a suitably cheap and effective method of accent lighting and I'm ready to rock and roll. You are right about the power, Rick. I'll definitely be checking that out beforehand. I've read about some of those disaster stories in John Jackman's lighting book. Thanks again for all of your suggestions. __________________ James Graham Zebra DV www.zebra-dv.co.uk (under construction)

February 18th, 2003, 07:43 PM	#20
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	This sounds like it's going to look really amazing in the end! You definitely have to give us a few shots of the finished video. I'm sure the still photographer will appreciate your lights as well! :) __________________ alextaylor.org

February 17th, 2003, 09:05 PM	#16
Rick Spilman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 366	What is both fun and maddening here is that you are forced into being the videographer and set designer. You should probably check into the available power in the mine, if you haven't already. A few thousand watt halogen work lights might trip the breaker at the exactly the wrong time. Total darkness in the middle of a wedding deep underground would really not be fun. I love the idea of using work lights to illuminate the walls or part of them anyway. Using gels for color is also a great idea. For the accent lighting, one inexpensive way to go would be to get consumer grade flourscent lighting sticks, the sort that you can install under cabinets and such and use gell to color correct as you wish. They are small and can be hidden behind flowers, railings, steps and so forth and can give a nice defuse light. They are also cool and less likely to set things on fire than halogen lights.

February 17th, 2003, 11:48 PM	#18
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Yeah, sound. That could be a problem. What kind of mic or mics are you planning on using?