How do you light Music video clips? at DVinfo.net

Nawaf Alali · November 27th, 2004, 06:26 AM

I've been using my Tungsten lights for making music video clips (mostly RAP videos). I have some Fresnels (300W - 650W), and couple of 1000W softboxes.

I have a good knowledge on how to light the scenes, but have couple of questions on mind:

1) do you have any advice on how to create that glamour/Rap style lighting, used in many recent videos (ex: 50 cent, chingy...etc)? how many lights you need, where to place them, and all of related points.

2) If you recommend more lights (or different types than what I have), what would they be?

3) for outdoors scenes (during the day), I see alot of videos where the artist is lit (probably by tungsten balanced with gels). How strong are these lights?? I mean, I don't think 1000W is enough to light under the sun!

Charles Papert · November 27th, 2004, 07:52 AM

Nawaf:

I can't speak to the specific videos you refer to, but in general daylight exteriors are supplemented with HMI lights which are daylight balanced to begin with. Occasionally tungsten units will be used based on the specific desires of the DP (either by preference of their look, or the need to use a dimmer board etc), but as you pointed out, they are going to be a lot hotter than a 1K. The minimum size I spec for a daylight exterior is a 2500w HMI PAR, right up to 18K (yup, 18,000 watts).

James Emory · November 27th, 2004, 05:46 PM

Check out this video I made a while back. Everything is explained in the post. All exteriors were daylight only with a handheld bounce used with steadicam down the alley. The good Lord gave me a lifetime week on the trillion watt HMI. What a deal!

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...492#post185492

Walter Graff · November 29th, 2004, 07:57 AM

It is more complicated that what you are asking. In many instances, shooting on film with specialized lenses, special film processing and million dollar color correction rooms do more than you can with available equipment. But lately the trend is in large soft light form the front on many of the rap style videos I see.

Nawaf Alali · November 29th, 2004, 11:00 PM

Walter,
Oh yeah I know. I wasn't even thinking of mimicing the film "look". But I was lookin for some tips on the lighting techniques used in those videos.

Thanx alot for the replies guys.

James Emory · November 29th, 2004, 11:08 PM

A halo light rig is sometimes placed around the lens attaching to rods so it can light directly in front of the lens providing smooth, soft, even light for tight close ups.

Nawaf Alali · November 30th, 2004, 04:26 AM

yeah, I was thinking about custom-making one of those for my next shoot. It would be fun to try something new.

November 27th, 2004, 06:26 AM	#1
Nawaf Alali Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kuwait, Kuwait Posts: 100	How do you light Music video clips? I've been using my Tungsten lights for making music video clips (mostly RAP videos). I have some Fresnels (300W - 650W), and couple of 1000W softboxes. I have a good knowledge on how to light the scenes, but have couple of questions on mind: 1) do you have any advice on how to create that glamour/Rap style lighting, used in many recent videos (ex: 50 cent, chingy...etc)? how many lights you need, where to place them, and all of related points. 2) If you recommend more lights (or different types than what I have), what would they be? 3) for outdoors scenes (during the day), I see alot of videos where the artist is lit (probably by tungsten balanced with gels). How strong are these lights?? I mean, I don't think 1000W is enough to light under the sun!

November 27th, 2004, 07:52 AM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Nawaf: I can't speak to the specific videos you refer to, but in general daylight exteriors are supplemented with HMI lights which are daylight balanced to begin with. Occasionally tungsten units will be used based on the specific desires of the DP (either by preference of their look, or the need to use a dimmer board etc), but as you pointed out, they are going to be a lot hotter than a 1K. The minimum size I spec for a daylight exterior is a 2500w HMI PAR, right up to 18K (yup, 18,000 watts). __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 27th, 2004, 05:46 PM	#3
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Check out this video I made a while back. Everything is explained in the post. All exteriors were daylight only with a handheld bounce used with steadicam down the alley. The good Lord gave me a lifetime week on the trillion watt HMI. What a deal! http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...492#post185492

November 29th, 2004, 07:57 AM	#4
Walter Graff Hellgate Pictures, Inc. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 124	It is more complicated that what you are asking. In many instances, shooting on film with specialized lenses, special film processing and million dollar color correction rooms do more than you can with available equipment. But lately the trend is in large soft light form the front on many of the rap style videos I see.

November 29th, 2004, 11:00 PM	#5
Nawaf Alali Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kuwait, Kuwait Posts: 100	Walter, Oh yeah I know. I wasn't even thinking of mimicing the film "look". But I was lookin for some tips on the lighting techniques used in those videos. Thanx alot for the replies guys.

November 29th, 2004, 11:08 PM	#6
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	A halo light rig is sometimes placed around the lens attaching to rods so it can light directly in front of the lens providing smooth, soft, even light for tight close ups.

November 30th, 2004, 04:26 AM	#7
Nawaf Alali Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kuwait, Kuwait Posts: 100	yeah, I was thinking about custom-making one of those for my next shoot. It would be fun to try something new.