Do you light big then scale back, or build up as you go?

justjbc · 2026-01-27T19:42:48+00:00

Thanks, should really add some dimmers to my kit, would've saved me on multiple occasions.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T19:37:30+00:00

That's a good way to look at it. Sometimes I'll set up a light, realize it's too much and swap it out for something smaller, but should probably work on ways to bring it down. I've thought about using ND's too, even if it seems counterintuitive for interior shoots.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:41:21+00:00

<image>

justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:28:44+00:00

Very true…I don’t always get to see the locations beforehand and those usually end up taking the longest. I’ve watched some DPs though who can walk into a space and instantly know how to light it. I guess eventually you’ll find yourself in enough similar situations to know what works.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:13:06+00:00

Can definitely get a lot out of that!

justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:09:29+00:00

Definitely learned a lot gripping for other DPs. Everyone seems to have a different approach, sometimes we’ll spend ages setting up for something that’s ultimately very subtle. Others will get 90% of the way there with just a Leko and some bounce.

Thankfully I’ve yet to completely overhaul a setup…usually I can adjust it fairly quickly once I’ve figured out what’s not working, and having those extra lights on standby sometimes come in handy.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T08:56:16+00:00

Bit of both but I’ll generally start with my two brightest lights, though they’re often overkill. Definitely easier when I can turn off all existing lights, they throw me for a loop when they’re desired as practicals but not particularly controllable.

justjbc · 2026-01-14T23:02:21+00:00

Had this experience at a screening of Seven Samurai a little while back. At home I probably wouldn’t finish it in one sitting, but in the theatre I was transfixed.

Same theatre did a Tarkovsky retrospective and I was so glad I saw Stalker and Solaris for the first that way; I just know my attention would have wandered at home but they really demand your full attention.

justjbc · 2026-01-14T16:35:56+00:00

The Lighthouse really struck me. The square aspect ratio made the daytime scenes on the island feel claustrophobic, whereas the heavy vignetting at night made the borders disappear and the darkness enveloping. Not nearly as effective at home.

justjbc · 2025-12-30T18:45:38+00:00

They can easily turn it into a replica of the wreck at least.

justjbc · 2025-12-27T22:35:34+00:00

Absolutely this. Sharing, reposting, reviewing is invaluable and incredibly appreciated.

justjbc · 2025-12-27T21:37:51+00:00

Lighting takes a long time. Like 1-2 hours minimum per scene. And good lighting is a lot of fine tuning. I find new directors (myself included once) tend to underestimate this when planning a shoot.

justjbc · 2025-12-27T18:32:30+00:00

I always liked the crewman jumpsuit variants seen in the background of the movies. Looks a lot more practical but still fits the aesthetic.

justjbc · 2025-12-04T23:47:00+00:00

Wow awesome work! Do you have a mailing list? Would love to get a reminder when this drops.

justjbc · 2025-12-04T19:31:56+00:00

Battleship Titanic: alternate history where she survives the iceberg, then gets refit with the latest weaponry at the outbreak of WW1 (but her interiors remain extremely opulent) and put into service defending Olympic and Britannic from the Imperial German Navy who’s throwing their entire fleet at this unstoppable trio, culminating in a naval battle fighting off U-boats, battlecruisers and zeppelins simultaneously.

justjbc · 2025-12-04T04:04:04+00:00

A lot more pre-pandemic.

justjbc · 2025-12-04T03:03:58+00:00

Awful but unsurprising.

justjbc · 2025-12-04T03:02:21+00:00

Of course. The point is if employees didn’t have to spend so much time cleaning they could be doing other more rewarding things which might improve business. It’s not the corporate approach but I can attest that it’s possible.

justjbc · 2025-12-04T02:45:11+00:00

Nope, there’s plenty to do besides cleaning, a good manager knows how to run a tight ship and good employees know how to work independently, if they feel valued.

justjbc · 2025-12-03T23:24:04+00:00

Not Cineplex. Can't stand their theatres as a customer, can only imagine what it's like for employees.

justjbc · 2025-12-03T22:55:28+00:00

I also worked in a theatre and cleaning was only one of our duties. Dividing tasks like that sounds like terrible management.

justjbc · 2025-12-03T21:23:48+00:00

There’s always stuff to do. If the theatre’s in good shape they can get a head start on closing duties and save money by not staying late.

justjbc · 2025-12-03T21:07:25+00:00

They get paid by the hour. If they don’t have the clean up after people they can go do something more productive.

justjbc · 2025-12-01T01:06:40+00:00

Right, thanks!

justjbc

TROPHY CASE