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Paul Jefferies · January 25th, 2006, 08:39 AM

Hi,
I need to simulate the light given off by a Television - illuminating 2 people sitting on a sofa. Any suggestions?

Michael Carter · January 25th, 2006, 12:58 PM

Think about what it looks like when you're outside at night and can tell a TV is on in a window. Bluish with subtle flickering.

If it were me, I'd use a blue-gelled light aimed from somewhat low, to get shadows above & behind the talent. I'd not push it much harder than the ambient light to avoid a "spot light" look; I'd experiment with softening it a bit as well. I'd add a second light (or two) a bit brighter, with possibly some color temp. variety and put it on a momentary switch, so it could be sort of "morse-coded", but keep the difference subtle.

If I found the lamp needed too much warm up time to give a momentary flicker, I'd try something mechanical; maybe a person blocking the 2nd light off with a black card and sort of randomly "fluttering" it, or try bouncing it off a small silver reflector which could be fluttered a bit.

If this is comedy or surreal, I might push the look a bit harder; I'd think for realism it wouldn't take much to sell it. Remember that the audio from the TV will be a big part of the sell.

Test test test...

January 25th, 2006, 08:39 AM	#1
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	TV light Hi, I need to simulate the light given off by a Television - illuminating 2 people sitting on a sofa. Any suggestions?

January 25th, 2006, 12:58 PM	#2
Michael Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 108	Think about what it looks like when you're outside at night and can tell a TV is on in a window. Bluish with subtle flickering. If it were me, I'd use a blue-gelled light aimed from somewhat low, to get shadows above & behind the talent. I'd not push it much harder than the ambient light to avoid a "spot light" look; I'd experiment with softening it a bit as well. I'd add a second light (or two) a bit brighter, with possibly some color temp. variety and put it on a momentary switch, so it could be sort of "morse-coded", but keep the difference subtle. If I found the lamp needed too much warm up time to give a momentary flicker, I'd try something mechanical; maybe a person blocking the 2nd light off with a black card and sort of randomly "fluttering" it, or try bouncing it off a small silver reflector which could be fluttered a bit. If this is comedy or surreal, I might push the look a bit harder; I'd think for realism it wouldn't take much to sell it. Remember that the audio from the TV will be a big part of the sell. Test test test...