Need Off-camera Video Lighting Recommendations

[Norma_S]

I'm a still photographer that has gotten roped into being the videographer at work for the CEO's bi-monthly "townhall meeting". We have already bought the fancy camera, tripod, and sound equipment. I've been tasked with purchasing the lighting equipment and would like recommendations from any pro videographers here.

The setting they will be used in:

• indoor office meeting room with typical 10' ceiling height
• flourescent lighting in the drop ceiling
• umbrellas are not an option due to space limitations
• the camera will be in the back of the room (raised high enough to shoot over the tops of the heads of the seated audience and not show the backs of their heads) and zoomed in for mostly a 3/4 length shot of the speaker at a podium
• lights will be placed 10-20 feet away from the speaker

I was thinking of a two-light set up with the lights on lightstands similar to what I would do if I were doing a still photo shoot with main light and fill. My budget is under $1,000. I'm not familiar with video lighting equipment and don't know what to look for or stay away from.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Norma

[tukaniray]

Arri is one of the best if not the best lighting company setup for Video.

But, if you are on a budget. The video studio I work at, also uses the Lowel Rifa setup.
Make sure to have a good at least 650W light and a 300W(for a hair light) to make the setup look good.

That should do what you want for less than 500.

The Arri setup will hold you back around 750-1000 depending if you get a package with a case and their light stands.

For your hair light, I also recommend a good C-Stand with Arm and Knuckle that will be able to put your hair light in the air and down on your subject to give them a back light/hair light with out being in the shot.

Good luck and I hope that helps.

-Ray-

[tukaniray]

Lowel Light Recommendation:
CLICK HERE

The light here that I posted is a great light. I have one myself. Its a built in softbox with light. Easy setup. It folds like an umbrella with the light. So all you have to do is open, put on diffuser and shoot. Then when done, take off diffuser and fold back like umbrella.

No sticks to slide in or speed ring to deal with.

-Ray-

[Norma_S]

As much as I would like to have a hair light, there isn't room to put one up and have it out of the shot.....unless I find something lightweight that I can clip to a drop-ceiling frame and run the power cord back along the ceiling to the power.

I forgot to include that quick setup and ease of transportation is a requirement.

I'll check into the Arri and Lowel lights you guys recommended.

[tukaniray]

Yeah, so definitely the Lowel Rifa Light would be a great ease of transportation and setup light for you.

As for your hairlight ... did you not like the idea of a C-Stand or even a standard stand with a knuckle and arm? That would give you the light to go over and behind the subject and staying out of the way. And just use stingers to get you the power.

Other than that ... if you stick with ONE strong light as your key light, utilize a Bounce card/bounce board/reflector to get light to the fill side and keep the subject evenly lit.

I was suggesting the hair light to help separate your subject. I don't know what your setup is ... but I have setup in rooms that barely fit 6 people before in an office. So, if that's what you are working with ... I know your pain.

-Ray-

[Norma_S]

I like the idea of the hair light. The speaker's hair is salt and pepper and the back wall is an off-white that came out a mid gray when we did our first shoot.

I like the idea of LED panels (to conserve space) as opposed to a light with a softbox such as the Lowell.

Any thoughts on LED lights for a throw of around 20'?

[tukaniray]

I had the opportunity to shoot with LED Panels last month on a shoot that the producer stated would bring their own lighting equipment.

Actually quite nice. I find the LEDs to emit a more Blue tone on the subject, but overall not to bad. Just a bit over color temperature balance in the camera and you are good to go.

As for the throw, well, we used 2 panels on both sides of our subjects to get the lighting we needed. And it worked out pretty well. Did notice hard shadows when using one, but having 2 evened it out and they had a dimmer switch build in the ones I was using.

don't know if all of them have the dimmer switch but it definitely helped with the LED panels.

-Ray-

[tukaniray]

Now the LEDs are going to be quite a bit more expensive than the standard bulb lights ... but if you have the budget to get a pair. I say try it out.

-Ray-

[Norma_S]

Thanks, Ray!

[tukaniray]

Not a problem. Anytime. I love talking Video with people.

-Ray-

[hdctx]

I would say that LEDs are going to be almost mandatory due to room size, the distance you have to light from, and the fact that the subject is the CEO. Things to watch for on cheaper lights are pulsing and light color issues. You can use gels for the dolor, but pulsing would sink the meeting. Good luck. IKAN is a DSLR video equipment supplier who happens to be local. You might talk to them, though their lights are $$.

[Daniel W.]

In response to the hair light on a drop ceiling, Lowel sells (I think made by Matthews and many others) a scissor-type clamp that clips onto the drop ceiling, and has a 5/8 stud to get a light onto. (Safety cables separate of course). This thing ROCKED when I had to setup quick talking heads in conference rooms. A bag of these, one to hold a Rifa, tota+umbrella on a stand for fill, and one more for the hair. Carting in one stand instead of three? AWESOME.

edit: found.
Avenger C1000 Drop-Ceiling Scissor Clamp C1000 B&H Photo Video

As far as LED's, I like them in limitation but find myself breaking out a tungsten kit just because it's predictable, with the right filtering its dimmable (compensate for warmth when you turn it down), and I know skin tones respond to it. Fluoros are getting cheaper but they're not the easiest to dim, and the ones that are, probs aren't in budget.

Under $1k, the Spiderlite kits are good for a basic two light, or a Rifa for main, Omni+brella for fill and tota for hair?