How to achieve: Even TV lighting & black (void) limbo lighting

[Craig Alan]

Get some stand ins and a crew to help and start setting up. Use a broadcast monitor and work until you have what you want. I mean in the end its what looks good. Your client only has an idea of what that might be. Seeing is believing. Sounds like you have a lot of lights to work with. The Flos are certainly the most idiot proof flattering to skin tone but you can get a lot more drama with the fresnels. I assume you have a light board as well? Why not use soloists in a spot? The camera on the conductor will have a completely different b.g. than the choir. After initial set up I’d ask the director and TD to join you as well and tweak the different camera angles and lighting for them. Looks like a great time could be had by all. I’d love to see your finished set up and product. I work with a combo of fresnels/kinos/lekos and a white cyc. So we’d love to learn from your experience here. How’s the acoustics in that room? Seems like the walls are too parallel. Regardless where will the mics go? If they are hanging from the grid you have another factor to deal with.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.