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Step 1
Set your key light on your subject. Determine what type of key light it will be; soft key or hard key, high key or low key. This will be essential for determining the type of background light you will use for your video.
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Step 2
Set the fill light on your subject. The fill light is usually at a 90 degree angle to the key light. For example, if your key light is lighting your subject at a 45 degree angle coming from the right, then the fill light will be at a 45 degree angle coming from the left. Ensure that your fill light is more diffuse and at a lower intensity then the key light. It is typically also placed at a lower angle than the key light.
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Step 3
Set the backlight on your subject. This is a lower intensity light which is placed directly behind the subject, usually to create a rim of light on the hair.
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Step 4
Set the background light directly on the background which is behind your subject. The background light should usually be approximately the same intensity as your key light. However, it's a good idea to make sure that the light which falls on the background is somewhat dimmer than the light which falls on the subject. This can be accomplished using a filter, cookie, diffuser or reflector.
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Step 5
Place the filter or cookie on the background light. This will help not only to reduce its intensity but will also create greater interest in the background. Filters and cookies help to contribute additional color and texture to an otherwise dull background. This is especially important for video, which tends to flatten objects. Diffusers and reflectors are useful if you're looking to create a diffuse lighting effect in the background. Ensure that your background light fits with the rest of the lighting in your scene. For example, if you are using low key light to produce a scene in a mystery, your background light will need to be very dim and contribute a lot of texture to the scene. However, if you're using high key light to produce a commercial, your background light should probably also be high key. This will help to produce a background which will not draw attention away from your subject.
