ABSTRACT
Moving actors complicate the lighting on set. It is necessary to break down the lighting into zones so you can place instruments to work for the entire shot. This is where flags and nets help to control transitions. Other devices such as SnapGrids and honeycombs can also help control the set lighting. Sometimes with moving actors the camera will also move – again the lighting needs to be broken into zones. Motivated lighting is an important consideration even in a small interior scene where table lamps might provide the inspiration for where to place the movie lights. Framing is also an important consideration; gear may line the edge of the camera’s POV. When the camera moves in a half circle you will need to make choices about where to optimize the key light. Often the beginning and end framings are the zones to optimize. On dramatic productions such as movies big lights may help with lighting character movement. On vérité documentaries we sometimes use battery-powered lights.
