Using 2 totas in softboxes to light green screen at DVinfo.net

Natan Pakman · August 25th, 2009, 01:23 PM

Pardon the large amount of threads I've posted recently; I seem to have a wave of questions:

I am looking to light a green screen (around 10'x12') and I've considered using worklights, lowel Omnis, softlights, etc. It occurred to me that two totas in photoflex silverdome softboxes might be an excellent way of getting a large amount of diffused light onto the screen.

Any thoughts on whether this is a good idea or whether I'm likely to have problems? Any other ideas?

Christopher Witz · August 25th, 2009, 08:04 PM

bare bulb totas put out a pretty even light as is... just back them up until they spread even and gobo ( black card to keep them off your subject ) and you should be golden.

Or... bounce them off of 4X4's of white foam core if you feel you need them to spread more.

Natan Pakman · August 26th, 2009, 08:05 AM

Good call Chris. Could you send me a link to some of these gobos?

Christopher Witz · August 26th, 2009, 04:00 PM

I've always called them gobos.. but looks like they go by flags as well....

Matthews | 18x24" Flag | 169059 | B&H Photo Video

you can also just use black foam-core as well... but make sure it's not within burning distance of the lights.... cinefoil is also a great lighting tool/shaper, and cheap. My 24" wide roll is probably 20 years old.

Gareth Watkins · August 26th, 2009, 11:54 PM

My Totas came with umbrellas.... these work fine for lighting the green screen.
Regards
Gareth

August 25th, 2009, 01:23 PM	#1
Natan Pakman Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 196	Using 2 totas in softboxes to light green screen Pardon the large amount of threads I've posted recently; I seem to have a wave of questions: I am looking to light a green screen (around 10'x12') and I've considered using worklights, lowel Omnis, softlights, etc. It occurred to me that two totas in photoflex silverdome softboxes might be an excellent way of getting a large amount of diffused light onto the screen. Any thoughts on whether this is a good idea or whether I'm likely to have problems? Any other ideas?

August 25th, 2009, 08:04 PM	#2
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	bare bulb totas put out a pretty even light as is... just back them up until they spread even and gobo ( black card to keep them off your subject ) and you should be golden. Or... bounce them off of 4X4's of white foam core if you feel you need them to spread more. __________________ RED 6022 witzke-studio.com

August 26th, 2009, 04:00 PM	#4
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	I've always called them gobos.. but looks like they go by flags as well.... Matthews \| 18x24" Flag \| 169059 \| B&H Photo Video you can also just use black foam-core as well... but make sure it's not within burning distance of the lights.... cinefoil is also a great lighting tool/shaper, and cheap. My 24" wide roll is probably 20 years old. __________________ RED 6022 witzke-studio.com

August 26th, 2009, 11:54 PM	#5
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	My Totas came with umbrellas.... these work fine for lighting the green screen. Regards Gareth __________________ www.gwenllyn.com

August 26th, 2009, 08:05 AM	#3
Natan Pakman Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 196	Good call Chris. Could you send me a link to some of these gobos?