How to Block Window Light When Shooting a Film

Good indie films and big budget blockbusters all rely on one thing to help the film get accepted into the mainstream fold--lighting. It sounds simple enough but lighting creates mood and visually enhances a scene but you can't control natural light. You can, however, create your own. Indoor lighting is tricky and the best possible solution is to block window light from entering your scene to give you full control of daylight as well as the night. If you want to join the ranks of the pros, read on to learn more about how to block window light when shooting a film.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thick cardboard
• Black duct tape
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Black spray paint, matte finish
• Pencil

1. Look where you are shooting and examine the scene. Determine what windows will be throwing light into your scene.

2. Use your measuring tape and take measurements of the window lengths and widths making sure to write them down as windows may be different sizes.

3. Pull out your cardboard and refer to your list of measurements.

4. Using the measurements of the windows begin drawing them onto the cardboard but adding 2 inches to each side as well as top and bottom.

5. Cut out the cardboard along your lines.

6. Cover the cardboard with the spray paint and allow to dry completely.

7. Line the cardboard up with the window so that the two inches can be visibly seen around the entire window.

8. Using duct tape begin taping the cardboard to the surrounding wall by keeping half the tape on the cardboard and half the tape on the wall.

9. Add a second layer of duct tape so that half the tape is overlapping the wall edge of the previous used duct tape and the other half is on the wall.

10. Repeat Step 9 but on the inside edge of the cardboard.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to block out window light but also need to shoot a window you can cut the cardboard to fit just inside the window and paint it green. You can then have your set designer make an outside scene--a tree, moon or whatever and make it the size of the cardboard and glue it to it. You then close the window and shoot. In the editing room if there is any green showing it can easily be edited out.
• If you need to add some sort of an effect and you require blank walls then instead of black spray paint use green as well as using masking tape that you would paint green. In the editing room you can easily remove and replace using green screen effects. You can use this same technique to manipulate natural light by using partial pieces of cardboard positioned top, bottom, center or to the sides of the window to bend the light.
• When using spray paint you should follow all safety guidelines including wearing a mask and working in an area that is well ventilated.
• Never use glossy spray paint as your lighting package could cause glistening on your film.