The Second Degree of Lighting: On Set of the Independent Film 6 DEGREES of DESPERATION

Lighting an Interior Bedroom Scene Can Be Tricky

It's Wednesday, August 1st and writer/producer/director of the independent Movie Tao feature 6 Degrees of Desperation Bren Pettengill just called me up at work to ask me if I would be available for a film shoot later tonight. Like the gullible person I am, of course, I say "Yes."

When I arrive to the location (which is the home of the director) it's still day out yet the scenes being filmed require it to be night out. The main reason why I am called on this filming date is because the director wants the look of sunrise through a window coming into the bedroom of character Peter Bacon (Chandler Darby). On the limited budget of the film as well as the location being two stories off the ground the specifics of what she wants will not be available.

Normally, I would either use an eight or nine light on the outside pointing in to simulate daylight through the windows. The spread not only mimics daylight fairly well but it also shines through the frame of the window giving a nice gobo effect on the opposing wall. This is an unlikely alternative since the production does not have the power capability to make this happen. A second alternative is to use an ellipsoidal lighting fixture with a window gobo "inside" the room (with a nice amber gel) to give the same look and feel that the director wants. This is also unlikely since all my fixtures are in storage and I had only a few hours of prep time before filming.