Pro Tip: LIGHTING THE ONE TAKE

DP Jon Salmon (VGHS, RocketJump: The Show) talks about two different kinds of lights we used on the Welcome Video One Take– and one of them you can find at your local hardware store for cheap!

Ellipsoidal/Source 4/Lekolite
These ellipsoidal lights provide very strong, defined and controlled light. Ellipsoidals allow you to shape and direct light with precision. As Jon Salmon notes, if these lights were a weapon, they would be sniper rifle. In the one-take, Jon often bounced the light from the ellipsoidals off a reflective surface that was angled toward the subject he wanted to light.

China balls/Gem balls
China balls or gem balls are paper lanterns you hang from a cord and socket. A lot of equipment companies will sell these for higher prices, but you can usually find the lanterns, bulbs and sockets all at your local hardware store or art store for much cheaper. China balls are great for soft, broad light. This type of light is harder to shape, control and direct, but is much more flattering. That is why it is often used for beauty or vanity lighting, and can also be used bring up the overall light level in a room very nicely without a ton of harsh shadows. Jon used the china balls to make the RocketJump office look warmer and more cinematic than the usual fluorescent office lights.

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[FilmByteProductions]

I love how Jon Salmon analogize the lights with weapons. It really helps understanding of the lights. :)

[TylerMayMedia]

The weapon illustrations actually help a lot in understanding. Great tips!

[AlliHahn]

I never would have thought of the Chinese lantern technique, thanks for sharing.

[tomhh]

ETC Source 4 FTW! Thanks for sharing your tips here. I'd like to see more lighting setup videos like this.

[georgesvanev]

The Third man. Aw yisss. Nice vid guys!

[basx]

RJFS is helping me so much! you guys are awesome!

[gimkilo]

Thor got into lighting effects n stuff...

[KnownNever]

I like how instead of using gel frames, you just completely cover the source fours with the gel, I guess you get color at every possible angle and then some lol

[mathisarnell]

where can we see the shot that this lighting was used in?

[stewwets]

nice "The Third Man" Bg music

[custodianfile]

Is this Computer-generated imagery (CGI), because this is not lightning . To me it looks like a plasma energy weapon. also since no one was injuries, , its implies that some AI is involve

[LordCanti]

WTF why you gotta use the Third Man Theme and make me all nostalgic annnnd now I'm watching it again. Thanks.

[benjibaumhaus]

Its a short but really great tutorila! Are there more lighting tuts from you?
If not please make some ;)

Ben

[CZsWorld]

My cine 1 teacher used the same sniper analogy.

[happilicious]

Isnt the 'china ball' called paper lantern?

[ratt]

Nice video! How did you place the gels inside them? Did it have to wrap around the entire inside of the ball?

[noreaction]

What camera did you use to get that detail in this lighting

[WatchTMC]

Why on earth dont you use LEDs... 750W per lamp? Stuff like this is only possible in the US :D

[AndreMiller-RED]

This guy can make me understand anything the gun comparison lol

[davidcauley]

you film guys make me giggle every time I see you hold a 20" x24" sheet of gel over a source 4 using clothes pins...  that lamp was sold with an INCLUDED gel frame ( which uses a 6.25"x6.25" gel)