How to light an INTERIOR SCENE - Day & Night - CINEMATIC LIGHTING with NANLITE FORZA 720B

Summary

In this tutorial, the presenter demonstrates how to light interior scenes for both day and night using the Forza 720P and 500 lights. Drawing from a recent commercial, they showcase techniques for achieving realistic lighting, from simulating morning sunlight with warm bi-color settings to creating visible light rays in small windows. Key principles such as shooting from the shadow side, using softboxes for fill, and adapting light to the scene's mood are emphasized. The video also highlights the role of lighting in storytelling, with small but impactful changes in lighting to transition between scenes and emotions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lighting for interior scenes is essential to set the mood, whether it's day or night, and it can be achieved with a clear workflow.
• 😀 The Forza 720P is a versatile light that helps fill entire rooms with natural-looking light, making it ideal for both day and night shoots.
• 😀 Using a 2700K bi-color setting helps create warm, natural sunlight tones, ideal for morning scenes or indoor lighting that feels inviting.
• 😀 To avoid excessive bouncing light, reflectors with black sides (for negative fill) can help control light spill and maintain proper contrast in shadow areas.
• 😀 The Forza 500 with the projector mount allows for precise control of light direction, creating effects like dappled sunlight or streaks of light on surfaces.
• 😀 For close-up shots, softer light is necessary to ensure a flattering, balanced look on the subject's face, which can be achieved using softboxes.
• 😀 Small lighting setups can be effective in creating cinematic shots with minimal crew, proving that efficiency and creativity can go hand-in-hand.
• 😀 Using gels to match light temperatures (e.g., tungsten gels) is an easy way to balance lights with different color temperatures, ensuring consistency.
• 😀 Daylight-balanced lights, like the Forza 500, can be adjusted using gels or bi-color features to match warmer indoor light sources, such as lamps.
• 😀 The use of multiple lighting sources, like power tubes and practical lamps, adds contrast and depth, enhancing the visual interest of the scene.
• 😀 Lighting can be used as a storytelling device, such as transitioning from cooler tones in solitary moments to warmer tones to signify happy endings or resolutions.

Q & A

What lighting technique is used to create the warm sunlight effect in the kitchen scene?

In the kitchen scene, the Forza 720P with a standard reflector dish is used to imitate morning sunlight, set at 2700 Kelvin. This creates a warm feeling, especially noticeable on the edges for balanced skin tones while retaining overall warmth.

Why was the Forza 6 DB light used in the kitchen scene despite the presence of the Forza 720P?

The Forza 6 DB was used with a 90 cm parabolic softbox to fill in the actor's face with softer light. While the Forza 720P lit the entire room, the 6 DB was necessary to provide more precise facial fill while still motivating the natural window light.

How did the cinematographer create dappled light effects in the kitchen?

Dappled light was created using the Forza 500 with a projector mount. By adjusting the blades, the light could be directed in a way that simulated sun patches hitting the cupboards, adding realism and texture to the scene.

What role does the Forza 500 play in the living room scene?

The Forza 500 is used with a large softbox to fill the room with light, specifically illuminating the curtains. The light is gelled with a tungsten filter to match the warmth of the Forza 720P, ensuring consistent lighting across the scene.

Why was a Pogo Tube used in the living room scene instead of a larger light source?

The Pogo Tube was used because the space behind the wall didn't allow for a larger light source. The tube was placed vertically to fill the scene with light while keeping the setup compact and efficient, given the limited space.

What does the term 'motivating the window light' mean in the context of the lighting setup?

Motivating the window light means using artificial light to replicate or complement the natural light coming through the window. In this case, the Forza 720P was used to fill the room in a way that mirrored the intensity and warmth of the daylight entering through the window.

How does the cinematographer maintain balance in skin tones when using a warm light source?

The cinematographer balanced skin tones by positioning the warm Forza 720P light to hit the edges of the actor's face, while also using a cooler Forza 6 DB to fill in the face. This mix of warm and cool tones ensures that skin tones remain natural without looking too orange or too blue.

What effect does haze have on the visibility of light rays in the living room?

Haze is used to make light rays visible, particularly in the small space between the curtains. The Forza 720P with a projector mount is used to create focused beams of light, which become visible when the room is filled with haze, emphasizing the ray's shape and adding depth to the scene.

What was the primary reason for using the Forza 500 over the 720P in the night scene?

The Forza 500 was used instead of the 720P in the night scene because the 500 was already set up outside for the next scene and offered sufficient power for the shot. The Forza 500 also required a gel to match the warmth of the practical light sources, whereas the 720P could have done so without needing additional gels.

Why is it important to use softer lighting in close-ups, as seen in the hallway and bedroom scenes?

In close-up shots, the actor’s face becomes a focal point, and using softer light helps to reduce harsh shadows and create a more flattering and natural look. In contrast, wide shots are less concerned with the softness of the light on the face, as the emphasis is on the overall scene lighting and composition.