Lighting

How to light a set for

Television

Use Professional Terms

Lighting Instrument: The device into
which a lamp is installed to provide
illumination on the set.
Lamp: The part of a lighting instrument
that glows when electricity is supplied
When referring to a lighting instrument
you will only say instrument. i.e. this
instrument needs a new lamp

Light has 2 definitions

Lights refer to the collection of
all instruments used in the studio
or on location.
Light also can refer to the
illumination created by turning on
a lamp

TYPES OF LIGHT
Defined by the types of shadows they
create. -Hard or soft
Hard light: Creates a sharp distinct, and
very sharp shadow. I.e. a hard light will
create an almost perfect shadow of the
image it is shining on.
Soft Light: Creates indistinct shadow. A
soft light lights shadow will make the
shadow unrecognizable.

Types of Lighting
Instruments
Spotlight: A hard light instrument. (can be

fixed to a pipe on the ceiling or wall, place on

a stand, or very moveable.
Frenel: (fruh-nel): Also a hard light
instrument. It is lightweight and easily
focused.
Flood light: A soft light instrument that
provides lighting in a large area. Scoop the
name of the most popular flood light used on
a set.
Convertible spotlights: On the back there is a
switch that makes a light go from a spot or a
flood depending if you want a hard or soft
shadow.

Accessories
Want a hard shadow, but not circular?
Barndoors: Fully moveable black metal
flaps attached to the front of a lighting
instrument used to block or reshape the
light. Be careful these doors get VERY
hot.
On a budget? Use heavy duty foil.
Flag: Use a flag between the object and
the light if you are getting a reflection
from shiny objects on a set.

Fluorescent Instruments
Previous slides we talked about
incandescent lamps.
They now make Fluorescent instruments
that can be used for the same purpose.
Why use Fluorescent. Less Expensive,
Energy saver, lasts much longer.
Incandescent lamps are much brighter,
and should be used on set, but a mix of
lighting can be much more efficient.

Support for Lighting

Instruments
Floor stand: A tripod or quadripod that can
have a lighting instrument attached.
Grid: A pipe system that hangs from the
ceiling.
C-Clamp: a clamp in the shape of a C that
allows for the lights to be attached to the
grid.
Raceway: beside the grid on the ceiling is
the raceway where the lights actually get
there power from.

Colored Light
Gel: A heat resistant, thick plastic
sheet placed in front of a lighting
instrument to turn white light from
a lamp into a colored light.

Lighting Intensity
Control of intensity: Move Instrument
further or closer, Replace Lamp with lower
wattage.
Diffusion device: A device that is placed in
front of a lighting instrument to soften
intensity.
Scrim: A type of diffusion device that is
transparent.
Use Bounce Lighting: a technique where a
lighting instrument is not pointed directly
at the subject of the shot, but the light is
bounced off another object.
Use a dimmer: A device attached to the
power control, decreasing the amount of
energy given to the light.

Planning the Set Lighting

Light Plot: a diagram developed by
the lighting designer that indicates
placement of lighting instruments.
LD (lighting designer) begins to
light the set.
Very tedious process getting the
lights just as you want them.

TV Lighting Techniques
Three Point Lighting- creates the
appearance of 3 dimensionality on
two-dimensional Television screen
Key
Fill
Back

Key Light
Main source of illumination on
person or object

Fill Light
The lighting instrument that is
placed opposite the key light to
provide illumination on the other
side of the talents face or object.

Back Light
The lighting instrument placed
above and behind, the 12 o'clock
position, the talent or object in a
shot to separate the talent or object
from background.
(Dont be confused with background
light. The background light will be
pointed at the background.)

Four-Point Lighting
2 key and 2 fill. (4 corners)
Key Lights are positioned diagonally
opposite from eachother.
Fill lights are put in the other 2
corners.
Advantage over 3 point -easier to set
up. Disadvantage you need an extra
light!

Cross Key Lighting

Cross between 3 and 4 point.

Used for more than on person or object.
Fill light in front
Key light 1 and 2 in front sides
Back Light 3 and 4 in back corners.
Always check the lighting in the
monitors.

Lighting Wrap-up
Dont make lighting an after
thought. It is an essential part of
your video.