[SML] lighting for video (from a live theatre background)

[Riter, Andrew]

Hi everyone.

Back again after a few years away, and I hope this version is still up and running, and hasn't been totally supplanted by the FaceBook group.

I'm in need of some advice.  Given the past few months, and the worry of keeping a live performance venue operating in the next 24 months, it looks like we're moving to a video camera environment rather than a live audience.  We're looking to become a video/webcasting/recording venue for whatever artists want to hire us, but without audiences.

My background for 30 years has been lighting for live theatre / classical orchestral concerts.  We've also had our fair share of IMAG in conferences and netflicks/appleTV and Hollywood film shoots, and amplified world music and pop shows.

I need to advise the powers that be what we need to change for lighting in order to successfully market ourselves and produce good quality video.  My problem is I DON'T KNOW.

My big challenge in this is getting an even wash across the front of the stage for the wide shot, or when someone walks across the stage.  Head shots / tight shots with the camera, I'll be fine.

We're a concert hall (open concept, no proscenium) with a maple wood finish.  The room lights up really easily.

The Front light for the 60' apron is from 1 front of house cove (25' wide) at a very high angle.  So High I need to fill in under the eyebrows with lower side lighting.  The apron is covered by (6) 10deg S4 with lots of overlap.
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Basically the edge of lamp is almost at the hotspot of the next.  Anyone walking across is pretty blippy (bright dark bright).  It's noticeable to the eye, but I'm afraid of it looking worse on video.

So, my question:  what's the best way to fix this?  I can add frost to the 10deg units, but any frost tends to light up the venue event more than it currently does.  19deg units won't have the punch from so far away.
I have fresnels in stock I could add to the front lighting system (maybe, somewhere) to even out the wash.  Good / bad idea?

If I go with big and washy, do I accept that the house is going to light up really bright?  Is that typical in a video shoot in an established theatre?  When the movie shoots come in, they light up the room, not caring about spill, because they are controlling the camera shots.  I expect our business will be 1 day in and out, so the time to properly frame shots, set levels, etc won't be in my favour.

I have ETC coloursource4 units on the balcony side light positions (think balcony front rail, but running down the side of the horseshoe).  Great for low angle into the eyes, but bad for into the eyes of musicians across the stage from the source.  But maybe not bright enough with the LED frost installed.

I've got a front balcony rail, but can only run it (currently) at about 30% before the talent starts complaining.  (currently (2) 14deg S4;  if I add more units, I could lower intensity and reduce the pin spots blinding them).

I've seen lots of videos of comedians and pop concerts with foot lights / strip lights.  I haven't seen the effect of them on the talent in the videos.  Is it useful?  Is it filling in under the chin and eyebrows?  Is it worth trying 50' of them along the apron edge?

Thoughts or advice?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

Andrew M. Riter
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
6265 Crescent Road,
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z1
604-808-2033

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