First gig at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · July 15th, 2003, 10:54 AM

I just got word that I'll be working with the DP to light a local independent production. Anybody have any advice? I'm looking for ways to prepare, and rookie mistakes to avoid, more than I'm looking for advice on lighting, although that would be helpful too -- it's just a much bigger topic.

Rob Lohman · July 16th, 2003, 03:38 AM

I think books and practice practice practice are your best bets here

Jacques Mersereau · July 17th, 2003, 11:17 AM

<<<<I just got word that I'll be working with the DP to light a local independent production.>>>>

Hey Marco,

you're looking for advice and working with a DP, but we need a lot more
info if you want usable help.

1) What kind of production, who's acting, how many, where,
when, what level do you want to attain, budget)?
2) Who's the DP? Is he a lighting guy? What does he expect you to do?
3) Who's suppling the gear?

Let's start with that much.

Dylan Couper · July 17th, 2003, 11:10 PM

Lots of good instructional videos out there too.

and...

Practice Practice Practice

Marco Leavitt · July 21st, 2003, 03:49 PM

I'm sorry to ignore my own post, but I've been out of town for the last week. Thanks for the responses so far. Just to clarify, what I'm mainly looking for is dos and don'ts on how to prepare for this shoot and interact with the DP and the rest of the crew. I've never been on this side of a production before. On our own shoots, we pretty much have to do everything ourselves. I don't have a lot of details about the production. What I do know, is that it's ultra low budget being shot on a PD150. Still haven't been given a script, but judging by the director's previous movies it will be "boy meets girl" with an ensemble cast of college kids. The movie will be shot almost entirely in interiors with one short scene outside. I haven't met the DP yet, but he has coordinated lighting on other shoots. As far as gear goes, I'm bringing along my Tota, stand and RUD umbrella, along with a Frezzi dimmer minifill and Chimera softbox. I also have hundreds of feet of high quality electrical cable. The crew apparently has access to a couple of other Totas. I realize that as far as equipment goes, this all kind of pathetic, but you have to use what you have. I've been planning on getting either a 300 watt or 600 watt fresnel for some time, but it doesn't look it's going to happen in time for this shoot.

Jacques Mersereau · July 21st, 2003, 06:49 PM

I'd give the DP a call and tell him what you've got gear wise and
take it from there. At least he'll know what you can provide and
what his options are ahead of time. If he has extra demands
you can inform the bosses, and you won't be the bad guy, rather the
guy trying to take care of business.

Charles Papert · July 22nd, 2003, 06:13 AM

Agreed, it's up to the DP to determine what his needs are and what he wants you to do.

In general, what I look for in "helping hands" are individuals who are eager to learn, pay attention, use common sense, have a positive attitude and ask good questions when appropriate. Lack of experience can easily be excused when the above characteristics are present.

Let us know how it goes!

Marco Leavitt · July 24th, 2003, 06:54 AM

Thanks a lot everyone.

July 15th, 2003, 10:54 AM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	First gig I just got word that I'll be working with the DP to light a local independent production. Anybody have any advice? I'm looking for ways to prepare, and rookie mistakes to avoid, more than I'm looking for advice on lighting, although that would be helpful too -- it's just a much bigger topic.

July 16th, 2003, 03:38 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I think books and practice practice practice are your best bets here __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 17th, 2003, 11:17 AM	#3
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	<<<<I just got word that I'll be working with the DP to light a local independent production.>>>> Hey Marco, you're looking for advice and working with a DP, but we need a lot more info if you want usable help. 1) What kind of production, who's acting, how many, where, when, what level do you want to attain, budget)? 2) Who's the DP? Is he a lighting guy? What does he expect you to do? 3) Who's suppling the gear? Let's start with that much. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 17th, 2003, 11:10 PM	#4
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Lots of good instructional videos out there too. and... Practice Practice Practice __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

July 21st, 2003, 06:49 PM	#6
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	I'd give the DP a call and tell him what you've got gear wise and take it from there. At least he'll know what you can provide and what his options are ahead of time. If he has extra demands you can inform the bosses, and you won't be the bad guy, rather the guy trying to take care of business. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 21st, 2003, 03:49 PM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I'm sorry to ignore my own post, but I've been out of town for the last week. Thanks for the responses so far. Just to clarify, what I'm mainly looking for is dos and don'ts on how to prepare for this shoot and interact with the DP and the rest of the crew. I've never been on this side of a production before. On our own shoots, we pretty much have to do everything ourselves. I don't have a lot of details about the production. What I do know, is that it's ultra low budget being shot on a PD150. Still haven't been given a script, but judging by the director's previous movies it will be "boy meets girl" with an ensemble cast of college kids. The movie will be shot almost entirely in interiors with one short scene outside. I haven't met the DP yet, but he has coordinated lighting on other shoots. As far as gear goes, I'm bringing along my Tota, stand and RUD umbrella, along with a Frezzi dimmer minifill and Chimera softbox. I also have hundreds of feet of high quality electrical cable. The crew apparently has access to a couple of other Totas. I realize that as far as equipment goes, this all kind of pathetic, but you have to use what you have. I've been planning on getting either a 300 watt or 600 watt fresnel for some time, but it doesn't look it's going to happen in time for this shoot.

July 22nd, 2003, 06:13 AM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Agreed, it's up to the DP to determine what his needs are and what he wants you to do. In general, what I look for in "helping hands" are individuals who are eager to learn, pay attention, use common sense, have a positive attitude and ask good questions when appropriate. Lack of experience can easily be excused when the above characteristics are present. Let us know how it goes! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 24th, 2003, 06:54 AM	#8
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Thanks a lot everyone.