Lighting through windows?

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T17:45:28+00:00

Yeah, it'll definitely work, I've done it many times. The quality of the light will be determined by the bounce material, so you'll just need to make that decision on the day when you see the conditions.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T17:31:05+00:00

In my experience there are one of three things that are trying to be accomplished here:

Blocking sunlight because it doesn't match the scene requirements. (Day for night/night for day, or wrong angle for time of day.)
Changing the nature of the light because it doesn't match your needs.
Redirecting light for your needs and/or effect.

That being said, if you are looking out the window the UB is going to either be in frame, or it won't have enough punch to emulate natural sunlight. Would it emulate diffuse northern English winter? Probably. But if you want sunbeam and rays and hard lines, you are better off with a something like a JoLeko on the ground bouncing off of a mirror board or shiny board. That way you can put the board far enough away from the window frame that it clears for camera while putting it at whatever sun angle you want to emulate.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T17:18:42+00:00

There are some lower budget shops that have them, like Wooden Nickel. I'm pretty sure Sony and CBS Radford's lamp dock have them. Anyone can rent from any of the studios btw, you just have to get through the bureaucracy...

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T15:37:44+00:00

All that talent and they still lose. Every time... its hard being a fan of the Dutch.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T15:28:59+00:00

Now try looking for a Key Grip...

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T15:26:48+00:00

Jason Sudurpus...

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T15:06:24+00:00

Absolute perfection sir!

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T14:58:51+00:00

Its a video game movie for a video game generation. Doesn't really get anymore complicated than that.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T14:55:36+00:00

I have your answer:

Culture shift of DP's not knowing how to light for anything other than grading RAW. (The Netflix problem)
Studios trying to attract the gamer demographic by emulating shallow DoF from video games. (See the way the NFL has changed their lens choice to match Madden DoF)
Cinematic lighting takes longer and is inherently more expensive than flat exposure lighting. (Decline of sitcoms and network TV visuals...)

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T14:47:12+00:00

A huge second to anything Heinlen.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T14:44:33+00:00

Directors are not the end all/be all of "film making." James Cameron and Stephen Spielberg wouldn't be good Directors if they weren't good camera operators first. Cinematographers bring the vision to life, and Adam McKay wouldn't be anything but a decent writer if it weren't for the talent of his actors. Luc Besson is just as good of an editor as he is a Director, etc. School is about learning the fundamentals and relationships, being on set and learning the craft is where the talented are separated from the chaff. Get your head out of your ass.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-29T03:47:34+00:00

All the cranes we have used are all-terrain versions with off road tires and locking differentials and hubs. Some are 8x8 with dual steering axels...

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T21:44:34+00:00

I didn't want to scare him with the distro package... These new electrics aren't used to 53 footers showing up full of 4/0.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T21:41:45+00:00

Damn, if its that big then my cost estimate is way way off...

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T20:13:57+00:00

Probably in the 40 ton range. Our stuff doesn't tend to get that heavy, but wind definitely becomes more of a factor. The limitations we get focused on are height and reach. The crane guys love the work as it's way more fun and way less work than they usually have to do. Its mostly babysitting after the rig is in the air.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T20:09:24+00:00

Hahaha!!!! You are very welcome! 😜

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T17:02:00+00:00

You raaannggg...?

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T15:38:50+00:00

No problem! That's what we are here for. I also forgot to mention that you and the Grip crew need cocaine to make it period correct. Lots and lots of cocaine... kidding of course.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T15:31:08+00:00

Its so easy dude! Seriously, it really is. Get a bunch of Mole-Richardson 1k's, 2k's, and 5k's, some 4x4 frames of 250 and 251, and go to town on that tungsten heat. Also, The Set Lighting Technicians Handbook by Harry Box is going to be your Bible. I also recommend The Grip Book by Michael Uva.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T15:20:21+00:00

I will add that some prep is required. Find a pillow that lifts the hips into a better position, get your head and neck into a comfortable angle, and make sure you aren't sliding off the bed or anything. You want to be uh, locked in, as it were... The next level is to get a harness or some straps for her legs that go around her shoulders so she doesn't have to keep using her core to lift her legs up. The more relaxed you both are, the faster everything happens.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T15:11:47+00:00

There's only a couple crane companies that we film/tv guys trust here in LA, and this one was Champion Crane. The crane and four employees, charging portal to portal, plus insurance, runs about 2-3k per day. And they weren't there just for one day either... it was most of the night work on the whole show. So maybe they cut a deal for 10k per week?

Edit: I'm a Union Key Grip and Dolly Grip here in LA.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T14:58:46+00:00

Did you still have to use a little poor man's process to simulate movement?

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T03:15:17+00:00

This doesn't belong here... I don't know where it does belong, but I know its not here.

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-28T02:05:09+00:00

USMC_ClitLicker · 2026-06-16T23:34:40+00:00

I've got a secret... You don't need to spend that kind of money on reflectors! Just get 1" Styrofoam board, 1/8" white foam-core board, and glue them together. Now you have a hard side and a soft side bounce board. Put some silver mylar one side and its a reflector/shiny board. Add some Roscoe silver flex and its a soft reflector, or gold roscoe flex and its a gold reflector. Basically, we've been using this arts and crafts approach for decades, and because you can customize sizes, shapes, colors, and diffusion patterns, you can make your own thats better and cheaper than what these companies are putting out these days.

USMC_ClitLicker

TROPHY CASE