How to Set up Lights for a Movie
Lighting is one of the key elements of film production. It helps establish the mood and atmosphere of the film, which can affect the entire viewing experience. The lighting setup can be simple or complex, depending on the desired effect. The tips here will help provide a basic lighting setup for low-budget digital video.
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Instructions
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Determine what is the best type of lighting for your scene. Is the scene set outdoors? If so, the sun will be enough. Does the scene take place at night or indoors? Is the movie a comedy or drama? Harsher light with more shadows is generally preferred for thrillers; decide on the exact type of lighting your movie needs.
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Set up a basic lighting system. This will consist of three work lights, which you can buy at any home-improvement store. You will have a key light, which is the main source of light on the subject; the fill light, which is the light on the opposite side of the camera from the key light, and is generally softer; and the back light, which is behind the subject and usually shining down on him (or it).
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Adjust your lights to get the desired effect. Remember that the key light is generally the strongest light, and should look like the main source of light. For example, if you are shooting indoors, you can make it look as if the the key light is coming from a window or a lamp in the room. Once you've established where the light is coming from, you can set up the other lights. The fill light should be on the opposite side, to "fill in" in the side of the subject that has been cast in shadow by the key light. The back light is the set up to add definition to the subject and separate it from the background. This light should not be very strong (unless you have a specific reason for it), because it will put the subject in a large pool of light, which you don't want. You generally want the lighting to appear as natural as possible.
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Step back and look at the lighting. Do you want to add color to the lights? Are parts of the shot in shadow when you don't want them to be? This is where gels and a reflector will come in handy. Placing gels over the lights will add nice color to your scene. A reflector is used to bounce light around the scene. Reflectors can be expensive, but you can use aluminum foil as a cheap substitute. Now all you have to do is start shooting.
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Tips & Warnings
Feel free to experiment with the lights. Adding more color could enhance the mood; creating harsher shadows on a character can make her seem creepier. Sometimes, the back light isn't necessary. Look through your camera to decide if you have too much light. The great thing about video is that what looks good to the naked eye will look good when recorded. Make sure the key and fill lights have a realistic source in the scene. You don't want the audience to be wholly aware you've set up a light. Make it appear as if the light is coming from a window or a lamp, as long as the source is plausible and the need for the light is justifiable.
Lights can get very hot, so be careful handling them. Don't put gels too close to the light bulb; they can melt. Make sure to use a power strip so you don't blow a fuse. If you use extension cords, tape them to the floor. This way, no one will trip over them and hurt himself--or the lights.
