Travelling overhead light diffusion

[Chris Poynton]

Although lighting for steadicam does not get much coverage on this forum, I would like to ask general advice on planning a basic walk-and-talk two-shot in bright overhead sun (the unflattering harsh Aussie summer sun).

 

I am thinking of something like an overhead horizontal 8x8" silk/diffusion frame mounted on poles at the sides, carried by 2 grips - as it is low/no budget. Maybe even something like a fold-up gazebo (market stall tent) that might even allow for scrimming on the side as well.

 

Are there any photos or comments on standard practice for how this is usually tackled on large productions to provide some inspiration? It could get pretty crazy with multiple (large??) travelling scrims, reflectors, negative fill, sunguns, HMIs etc.

 

With overhead scrims, I am guessing there are lots of standard pitfalls with the right size scrims, number of carrying points, keeping the corners clear in frame, minimising noise, dealing with wind, etc.

 

( P.S. Would love to see more discussion of lighting setups generally in this forum. Day exteriors is a good general start-off. Thanks in advance.)

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

other than a traveling bounce card we just shoot and it looks pretty damn good.

[Charles Papert]

The key here is "bright overhead sun"--as in, don't shoot it then, shoot it backlit in the morning or late afternoon when it's not overhead and fill with a bounce will do it, as Eric notes. This may sound flippant but it's the simple solution and just a matter of scheduling.

 

Otherwise, California Sunbounce makes some lightweight traveling diffusion and scrim for this sort of thing. But it will still look better shot at the right time of day.

[Victor Lazaro]

I've also seen a few larges screens rigged to a western dolly pulled before the steadicam.

Also I agree with Charles that if you can do it at dawn or dusk it might be easier.

Edited October 3, 2012 by Victor Lazaro

[Peter Abraham]

A muslin Chupah.

 

:D