Lighting

[trackerxx]

I just purchased a rifa-lite 66, a rather large soft light 750w professional lite.

Any suggestions for more lights, do i need a fill light with such a large light. What about a backlight?
I am doing sit down interviews.

Thanks.

[Skyman]

that really depends on the location and how much time, space, power you have.
a standard setup would use a main, fill and backlight, but I like to use a hairlight as well. This really depends on where you will be filming and what elements of your shot (other than your subject) you want to draw attention to. I would often bounce a light off the ceiling to give hair and back lighting. sometimes I hide a spot behind the subject to separate them from the background. I like to use window light where available but this can be tricky as you will need gels over your tungsten lights to balance the colour temperatures. check out the studio & lighting forumn on the board for more ideas about potential setups, the sky is literally the limit. Also have a think about where your interview is heading and if a particular lighting style might help this i.e. high key / low key / buterfly.

[trackerxx]

Thanks for the thorough reply. By hairlight do you mean a light just off-camera that lights up the back of the head? I've seen the pros do that and it looks nice.

Thanks.

[Skyman]

I tend to refer to a hairlight as any light source that illuminates the top of the head (great for glamour as well defined hair is quite important. A light that lights up the back of the head would be most commonly refered to as a seperation light as it helps define the edges of the subject a thus seperating them from the backgroud. it is a good exercise to record some studio interviews and try to determine what areas of the shot have been illuminated. for example almost all political setups will have a light of some sort on the flag.

[trackerxx]

for the rifa-lite 66, can I use an Osram FRK 650w, 120v lamp? It is rated 3200k color temperature which is the same color temperature as the supplied bulb (general brand EHF 750w, 120v).


What is the difference if any?

[spacey]

I have the Osram in my Rifa66 - not much difference from the stock; and I think what comes in the Lowel Lampak. This is just me, but accompanying it I have two Omni's, two Tota's, 3 Pro-lights. For ENG, it's an Omni, Tota, Pro, and Rifa.

And then Arri for EFP stuff, but that's a whole nother' bowl of worms.