redhead and soft boxes?

[Andrew Carter]

Hi,
Ive been involved with dv production for a couple of years. Mainly helping shooting video's at University.
The roles ive done have been varied-lighting/sound/camera assistant.

I'm very interested in DP/directing work and ive started to build up my own kit. It is very basic (+budget is low), but hey you have to start some where.

So far,

Ive purchased 32inch white/gold reflector.
3x150 work lights)
3x500 work lights)
3xRed head kit with stands.
Gloves/extentions/circuit breakers/spring clamps.

ready to order - (gels/diffusion)

Is it possible to use soft boxes with Redheads? If so, can anyone recommend the best size to go for?
Also is it possible to fit smaller watt bulbs into the redheads (ie-normally 800-down to 600)? This was an idea i had-but is it worth doing?

Can anyone recommend any other pieces of lighting (or accessories) I should be looking at to buy?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Andrew

[Dave Dodds]

I lamp my redheads down to 600 occasionally. In NTSC land, it's a FCB lamp.

Regarding a softbox, it depends what you're lighting. A good "standard" size for talking heads and stuff is a 24"x32" (Chimera = "Small", Photoflex = "Medium"). The bigger the softer, you know? That said, I don't know if a bigger one (say, the 36"x48") would work with a redhead, as it may be too heavy for the yoke.

As for other things to buy, spring clamps (or "A" Clamps) and some duvetyne are a necessity.

Good luck.

~~Dave

[Jon Fairhurst]

The size isn't just about the softness, but also about the glint in the eye. I've heard that for a protagonist you want a big glint (big softbox, up close), and for an antagonist, a small one (a key light for the glint, fill from the sides as needed.)