Interview lighting for red mysterium

[Nat Combs]

Hello everyone,

I have been assigned the task of figuring out what lighting setup will work best for interviews in a documentary film. We are working with the red camera, however, I have yet to be able to work with it myself and probably will not be having the most hands on time with it for this particular project, but would like to gather some opinions on what lighting scheme might be wise for, as previously mentioned, interviews. The interviews will be conducted indoors, and from what I overheard today they want the picture overall to be shadowy, but not too dark and not much focus on the background whatsoever, mostly foreground, what are your opinions on trying to achieve this look? Thank you in advance, and you input is very much appreciated! Hopefully I can work with the camera soon and will be able to provide some input on inquiries!!

---Nat

 

[D Fuller]

The first time I used my R1 after it came back from being MXed, I realized that available light was really an option. At ISO 800, you can think more like a still photographer, and use the light in the room.

But of course, that doesn't mean just the light in the room. You always need to add something. With that in mind, I'd suggest a small Kino kit: a 4' and a 2' (2 x 2' is nice) with both daylight and tungsten bulbs available, and if you can afford it, a Dedo kit to shape the background and provide highlights, backlights, etc.

 

[Shane Kelly]

I really like my lowell rifa 88 with the grid, even over kinos. Usually, I use that with a 1x1 litepanel and a set of dedolights for background and edgelight.
Otherwise, a diva light works well although can sometimes go magenta.

 

[jimhare]

I have obtained fantastic results with a pair of Kino Diva 400s plus an LED backlight, all daylight balanced.

Extremely portable (fits in a single case including stands) and really affordable over time.

Add a couple of cheap fluorescent softboxes for backgrounds etc. and you will be sweet.

This is for a non-MX Mysterium.

 

[Danny Lingan]

There are fantastic tutorials, including lighting on the cheap, at Walter Graff's website:http://www.bluesky-web.com/index-5.html

I'd spend a lot of time there and see what he's got.

Among the articles is one published in DV magazine a few years back about his favorite compact light kit. This guy has installations at news studios, I believe an ESPN studio, and big time projects. Yet, his compact kit is based on lightweight gear largely made up of Lowell lights and some cheap, battery powered fluorescents rigged to work with his stuff. I found it a great read. I'm building a kit like his.

There are a few articles on interviewing subjects just as you want and he talks about lighting, depth of field, dressing the set and making even a small room look good. I believe he's made a DVD on the subject, but you can learn a lot just from his writings.

Good luck.

 

[Nat Combs]

thanks

thanks

Thank you all very much for the info, I will check it all out and try to remember to let you know what we end up doing and how it goes!:emote_happyhappy: