Having access to the right kind of lighting for your film or video production is key. That’s why renting a studio that comes equipped with professional lighting is a great option.
When renting a studio, you should understand the differences in lighting equipment, their purposes, and how they can enhance or hurt your production. Knowing this information will help you decide what studio to rent and how to best utilize the lighting available to you.
First, why not learn about the differences in lighting in our previous blog post, Natural Lighting vs. Studio Lighting.
Why is having the right lighting important?
The right lighting can set the tone and mood for your film or video and can make a huge difference in the overall quality of your production.
Proper lighting can help you to avoid later edits in post-production. Post-production can get expensive, so it’s always best to try and get everything right on camera. Proper lighting, whether it’s to suit the mood or making sure everything that needs to be seen in the scene is well-lit, will help you to avoid later color correction editing.
What are the types of lighting available?
There are a variety of film production studios available for rent, and each one offers different lighting options. Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular types of lighting equipment found in these studios:
LED Lights:
These are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. They also produce very little heat, making them ideal for use in confined spaces.
LED Lights are used for a variety of purposes, including lighting sets, film productions, photography studios, and more.
Fluorescent Lights:
These are a popular choice for film productions because they are relatively inexpensive to operate and produce little heat. However, they can produce a flicker that can be visible on film.
Incandescent Lights:
These are the traditional film lights, and while they are very hot to operate, they produce a very natural-looking light.
Incandescent lights can be used for a variety of purposes, including accent lighting, film lighting, and more.
Ambient lighting:
This is the lighting that already exists in the environment, such as sunlight or fluorescent lights in an office. This type of lighting can be used to supplement the other types of lighting used in film production.
It’s important to know the ambient light situation before you start gathering your lighting equipment because you don’t want to end up using too much light and causing your film production to look washed out and artificial.
Fresnel Lights:
Fresnel lights are commonly used in film and video production. They offer a wide range of light intensity and can be focused to create a spotlight effect.
They’ve been used in film and television productions for decades and are still a popular choice among filmmakers.
Flood Lights:
Flood lights are used to illuminate large areas. They’re often used in film and video production to light up sets or film exteriors.
They’re best suited for use in wide-open spaces because they can cast a very bright light over a large area.
Spotlights:
Spotlights are used to create a focused beam of light. They’re often used in film and television productions to highlight a particular object or person.
They can be used to create a dramatic effect or to simply make sure that something is well-lit in a scene.
Beam Projectors:
Beam projectors are used to create a wide beam of light. They’re often used in film and video production to light up sets or film exteriors.
Beam projectors are great for productions that require a lot of light, such as musicals or live events.
Par Cans:
Par cans are commonly used in film and video production. They’re often used to light up sets or film exteriors.
Par cans are primarily used for their portability and their ability to produce a wide range of light intensities. You can change the colors of these lights with gel sheets that filter the light through. Having colored options can really set a specific mood for a production.
HMI Lights:
These lights are often used in film productions because they produce a very bright light. However, they also produce a lot of heat and can be expensive to operate.
HMI lights are great for productions that require a lot of light, such as musicals or live events. They allow for easy color changes, too.
No matter the type of film production you’re working on, there’s a lighting option available to suit your needs. Renting a studio with the right lighting equipment is essential to ensuring that your film looks its high-quality.
Now that you know a little bit more about the different types of lighting available, you can make an informed decision about what will work best for your film
Renting a studio, what should I know about lighting?
When renting a film production studio, be sure to ask about the different lighting options available so you can choose the best one for your project.
What should you know about your project before renting a studio?
There are a few things you should have in mind when deciding on which studio to rent out.
- What type of film or video are you shooting?
- What is the budget for your production?
- What is the mood or tone of your film?
- What camera are you using or want to use?
- How big of a crew do you have or will you need to accommodate?
Be sure to keep these questions in mind when speaking with film production studio rental companies so you can find the perfect space for your film or video project.
What questions should you be asking the studio about the lighting situation?
You should have a list of questions ready to interview the studio. Here are a few ideas.
- What type of lighting equipment is available in the studio?
- What is included in the price of a rental?
- What are the power outlets like in the studio?
- Are there any restrictions on what types of lighting can be used in the studio?
- Am I allowed to bring in lighting equipment from the outside?
- Do you have other equipment available for rent?
- What power sources are available?
By asking these questions, you can get a better idea of what lighting the film production studio has to offer and if it’s the right fit for your project.
For more ideas, check out our previous post on the subject: 19 Questions to Ask the Studio You are Booking for Your Next Production.
C&I Studios has plenty of studios to go around!
If you’re ready to look into studio rentals, contact C&I Studios.
Our studios are well equipped with the latest and greatest film production equipment. We also have gear such as cameras, audio equipment, and computers for rent so that you have complete access to everything you need for your next production! We even have fantastic crews available for hire, in case you need experts to operate the equipment.
Read: Why Hiring a Camera Crew is Worth the Investment
We have a variety of film production studios to choose from, so we’re sure to have the perfect one for your next project. We have studios located throughout the United States in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and South Florida!
C&I Studios is dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible film production experience. We can’t wait to work with you on your next project!