What You Need for Shooting Action | 3 Cinematic Lighting Tips
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
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Shooting sequences with action and fast-moving parts requires you to think differently about camera and lighting. Instead of making your light as soft as possible, you may want your key light to be harsh. You may not even want a key light at all, and opt for a strong backlight to silhouette your characters instead. You may even want to change up your camera settings and camera movement. If you want to light for action, here are the things you need to know.
In this boxing scene, we play up the action with handheld camera movement and little to no fill light. Valentina walks us through her ideas of recreating sunlight for continuity and using haze to see strong beams of light that add to the dynamic quality of the scene.
We also talk about different diffusion fabrics and what works best for our scene. Because we wanted a very soft and even bounce light, we went with China silk diffusion - even though it’s meant for diffusing light. The angle of your light is important when you’re trying to recreate sunlight, so we positioned strong lights very high up and kept the hard quality to intensify the shot. As an added measure, we sprayed the talent with water to make their skin more reflective and to catch more light coming through the windows. As a general note, seeing hard light and high contrast ratios tends make a scene more intense and dramatic.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Concept
1:53 - Haze
2:32 - Lighting
3:51 - Fill Light
5:48 - Camera
6:47 - Remote Control
8:44 - Breakdown
9:51 - Light Rays
11:04 - Soft Light
11:45 - Reflectivity
12:34 - Breakdown #2
13:11 - Outro
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Aputure's CZcams channel provides free high quality cinematography, lighting, and filmmaking educational content to help you take your film projects to the next level. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Nice work Valentina! If I were shooting this I'd probably throw in some tube lights on the ceiling as background practicals just to add to that grungy gym vibe. Maybe even play with more tungsten/daylight contrast as well, but definitely leaning into backlight would be the way to go!
I think Aputure doesnt sell tubes, therefore she would not be allowed to
@@dathofilms Nah I watched the spaceship she did they used Asteras' so guess she does get to play with other lights
I was thinking the same thing but just tungsten practical's I was thinking
To shoot an action scene I would lower my shutter speed to add motion blur and make the scene intense, then, with a camera on a gimbal (set to a not too harsh/not too smooth preset) would follow the actors movement so the scene moves with it, finally I would make quite a few cuts to liven up the scene even more. Anyways I loved this tutorial, Valentina is really talented, can’t wait to see more of her tutorials and what she comes up with next :)
I'm just starting my filming career, and while I can't afford these top notch lights and gear, this channel has been huge in my education of how to light and work with light. Thank you guys!
I find butterfly lighting makes everything look really heroic! Otherwise a sharp image, fast paced movement - anything that will help get the audiences heart racing.
Shooting these actions type videos is so different than so much other stuff I normally shoot! I really love the handheld look with the shutter cranked up so make it a bit jittery and action packed. I also really enjoy using a bit of color to make gloves, shorts, and shoes pop. Whatever makes the actors feel like they’re part of the scene!
Im working on a fight scene for a short film, no daylight in the scene I’m constructing, but I like a lot of the ideas incorporated in this tutorial.
Its back lit, son! 🤣🤣🤣
BARS!
Sun* lol
Haha the explanation got me
There are few moves I'd use for the action shots - following the movement and especially getting more in the action, switching between observer shots (from afar with the foreground objects accenting the depth) and the POV partner shots for the intense immersion. Definitely going for the haze, makes it a lot more interesting and atmospheric. Extra interesting are the slo-mo shots (pretty challenging in the dimmed environment) with the drops of sweat flying off when hit by a glove.
Good thing is that I have this completely setup in my head. Bad thing is that I have neither the needed lights nor experience to meet my vision :-D.
Good ideas!
For action scenes, I love using speed ramps to really focus on the big moves. For sports stuff, I love to get really tight shots to get the sweat on the skin. It really ads to the hard work and emotion of the talent.
Loving these short lighting guides!!
I love this video. It felt like I was an intern at the set getting guidance from the DOP.
Please please make more such videos
Absolutely!!
The obvious choice for a scene like this would be far lighting through a wall window with COB lights + Fresnels and some frost to hide the night outside and a large horizontal cove light low to the ground motivated by light refractions from the floor.
Alternatively a skylight motivated lighting would also work fine.
Though it is good to get "the look" in camera it's safer to get everything exposed correctly especially in a controlled environment so the contrast ratio should probably stay within the limits of the camera used (i.e. not using as a key light coming through a blacked out window) and then push the look in post.
I'd go for a 45° shutter over 60 or 120 fps to have some flexibility in post and keep my white balance and ISO to what is native to the camera (5500K & 800 most likely) and compensate with lighting.
The distilled water is a good idea also sports chalk to get some particles flying off when the punches land.
The haze machine definitely gives a much better look to the lights and helps to create the shapes. It looks incredible. Thanks
Love these videos. Really cool style! I personally would have left the wb a little colder. And I would try not to get the haze infront of the fighters. Just in the back to get the beams but not lose contrast on the fighters, if that makes sense. In the close ups (in the fight sequence) I probably would use a bit more fill. I would just go silhouette on the wide shot. But otherwise Id have a similar approach, the wide and the heavybag shots are my favs. 🙏🏾 thank you for this walk through.
Shutter speed really intensifies a fight. I really dig the lighting choices you made. Especially for a the scene. Mahalo 🤙🏼
Now the only thing I need is a fighter! Thanks Valentina for the tips
Love these!
Thankyou! Such a great video!
Oh how I dream to play in these environments
Right?? Dream come true
Love Your positivity, Valentina. Must be really nice to work by your side 😬
love this vid, so glad that aputure keeps making great content
Love this stuff guys
Love the overlays with specs, really helpful!
Glad you found it valuable!
Thank you so much
This is such great insight
So cool!
Not to mention the motion through the light breaking it up adds emphasis to the movement itself. Nice work Valentina
True that! Thank you
From past few days i'm watching all the videos by valentina , really cool learning a lot. I would do the same maybe add few tubes on top ,but what she did look real cinematic ♥️
Good idea!
@apurture so how can i know that you have given your lights for this current video and how can i know when you will give it ?
These are really helpful. And your slight change in the format and tone of the tutorials makes a huge difference. Even with my less than ideal lights, it gives me good ideas of my lighting setups.
Haze, it is!
Love this! Now for me to get my camera and go
Great work V! 😸
I loved what you did with the lighting. It definitely compliments the story. If I were going for friends fighting each other, but a more dirty look I'd probably try playing with tube lights or natural lights to get a very grungy look, but still backlit.
Awesome advice! I always like the use of a fogger to add some dimension to the shot. I would add some overhead honeycomb diffusion. I think that would help it pop as well
Really liked this, nice work
Love your tutorials. Please keep them coming.
Will do!
Valentina is the best
These new episodes are so impressive
Glad you think so!!
such a great video
Great vid!
I'd like to use light as storytelling element: in the moments of competition it would be clean key daylight in the far side of the talents. We could see only harsh -lighted details of the competition in the blackness of the scene. Time-wrapped editing to bring some intensity to the video, and in the end light of the surrounding world will slowly appear in the frame. Such theatrical element as in LA-LA-Land when protagonist realize that fight is over.
Loved this walkthrough ❤️ Damn son she got it spot on
I actually shot my last sports shoot in 360 degree shutter to emphasize blur mixed with very fast paced action. I found it worked really well as long as you plan it with the right type of action.
Interested in seeing what that looks like!
@@aputurelighting Here is the link to the vid (360 degree shutter was used on the fast paced action shots): vimeo.com/518406964/c165dd5141
@@lauddp1150 that was sick! Did you shoot the intro clips regular 180* ? What fps was that proj shot and exported look amazing!
@@ww3photography Thanks! Intro clips were in regular 180 shutter and the entire project was shot on 23.97 fps
I learn so much from you Valentina. Thank you.
Glad you learned a lot!
I haven’t shot action before but I always enjoyed seeing low side shots with movement so I might try some low camera shots with fast moving objects.
Super cool vid guys and gals 👏👏
I would definitley go for a lower shutter angle for such a shoot! It would also be important to have a camera with global shutter or at least very little rolling shutter.
Love your videos. Great vibe and very accessible tech/creative explanations. 👍🏻🙏🏻
Thanks Luke! :)
I love these videos.. PLEASE!! Keep doing these!!😁
Will do!!
The shutter speed is critical to accomplish a cinematic scene and contrast to make it look more intense.
Very cool.
Light source in large power to more lit subject is a must to reduce blurry movement then it can be slow motion used after and we shot with sony mirrorless in APSC mode to reduce "jelly" effect :D
Valentina you looks sooo different from past....😍
Amazing video! Understanding the value of the equipment on this set is mind blowing, if i would film an action scene in my case scenario where budget is kinda low, i would use a golden hour as backlight for main subject, but for more action vibe, i like urban style feelings and some light spike-ups if you can say so, because it adds a more poferful strikes in my opinion :)
Have an amazing day everbody!
Great video! I was thinking of shooting them coming into the gym as well, all smooth (gimbal maybe) and once they've put on the boxing gear, all handheld, fast shutter speed, to intensify the shift in the action. And in general all backlit and silhouetty, maybe trying to capture some flying sweat droplets ;).
Amazing products, amazing content 🔥🔥
Thank you!!
Very nice video like every time. Like it so much
When I have to do an action or fighting scene I always do a tracking shot with the protagonist going into the fight or following them and seeing what goes on around them, a oner will do it best. I have to say I think the movie "Warrior" and "The wrestler" did it best. It brings the audience into the protagonists POV and shows really shows what that character literally, physically and often emotionally is going through.
I hope this makes sense!
It totally does!
I would love to do a camera angle that goes over the shoulder (3rd person), then to first person, then wide establishing shot. It would all be one take but take you through all the perspectives! I especially want to try it with a boxing/fighting scene!
Great idea.
Really great video! I like the lights streaming in through the haze. For an action scene I would try do something similar if possible and I’d use a generous amount of gritty, handheld camera movement with high shutter speed for a chaotic intense vibe.
I really love your channel and how you explain your set up.
Glad you enjoy it!!
Hey I was just shooting there last week! haha great job lighting looks awesome!
Nice! Can't wait to see how it turns out
Nice explanation! As for the techniques, I would use some light leaks for detail shots on the movement of the hands or eyes, normal pace. With a lower shutter making things "unstable" and energetic. Just back lit in other words
I would probably lower the shuter to get motin blure. But lighting its top to me. Thanks for great tutorial.
Great video. Valentina is the real deal.
Glad you enjoy!
Love the video but your transformation is much better😂
CZcams compression is murdering these dark scenes. The streaks coming in through the windows look super "lit" - not a very convincing representation of anything from the real world, whether that's sunset or street lights... Overall, I liked the shots of Valentina explaining more than the ones of the boxers.
that's the thing with film it doesn't really represent the real world, it's an over the top exaggeration lol
@@AnimeZone247 execration? Rofl
@@charlesxchaves * exaggeration lol
I love the Idea of shooting light through the cracks that are on the covers of the window paired with the haze. I would use this along with some side lighting to shoot a college team lineup commercial. I've always wondered how this kinda thing was done, but never understood how. Who knew all it was, was hazing the room?
Hazers are always a good idea to have on stand-by
I've been playing with the thought of shooting action sports sequences with a 360 camera - on a pole attached to the talent for a really interesting point of view 🤓
Let us know how it turns out!
Nice work 🔥 I love these videos
Glad you enjoy them!
the only thing I probably would've done differently is get some shots on a tripod where I can follow some of those punches really fast and accurately, also loved this video and the channel
Good idea!
Nice
Wowo 🤩 I love this tutorial for location e use of lights. Great Valentina 🕺🏼 For an action scene, I shooting twice: one with lower shutter speed and last with close up and higher shutter speed for slowmotion...but everything could be amazing with a NEW EXCEPTIONAL FANTANTIS WONDERFUL EXCITING VERY BRIGHT, F7 😍. The dream of every man who would marry a Nova P300c. Thanks, you will always remain in my heart...if I win the F7 🥺😜
shooting an action scene; for wide shot ill use the foreground objects and light the wall a bit to create depth and let the main subjects be silhouetted with strong volumetric lighting. then do some over the shoulders and POV shots to engage the audience and for this ill bring light closer and diffuse it and use the flags to block unwanted light.
for the punching bag scene ill elevate the light to create pockets of shadow on the muscles, spray the film sweat to make it realistic. lastly ill ask the guys to keep serious punch each other to sell it..
Great job Valentina. I must say that your video is giving me some motivation. If I were to shoot an action boxing scene like this, if the scene is supposed to be day and the fighters are supposed to be friends then yes its good that there's a warm feel to it, so I will stick to a WB of 6450 or even 6500, however, having a warm feel combined with low key lighting seem contrasting to me (I know everyone have their own style) I would rather increase the intensity of the key light to allow us feel the warmth of the scene and knowing that its day time, I won't set up a low key lighting for the shoot, I would also use a lens with F.stop . I will take close ups(tighter shots) so that it can convey the energy of the scene and also give details of the kind of emotions the fighters share .
I like to use a hand held camera pov and follow the fists 😎👊
Great for transitions in post!
I kinda like the look when there's only the skylight open but there not enough light to create two silhouette, so i would bring a nova to match the sodium vapor color and a 12x12 to the back side of the ring and create a monochrome look and emphasized the silhouette.
Aputure is an awesome company!
Awesome! I can't believe you shot this at 8000 ISO with the C70. can't see much noise there.
Thanks again for this! What would I do for an action scene? I would shoot more of Valentina punching the bag hahahah
Me watching, while cant even afford lens to my canon🥹😹
We decided to do on a shoot what you did look wise; even used South Paw as reference! But we did the shot up on a mountain overlook in Burbank and decided to go just before sunrise to shoot the scene with minimal lighting at the best time of the morning. We shot toward the rising sun during blue hour and used the atmosphere for the 20 seconds of natural fill before the rays of light got over the mountain. It turned out beautiful and hiking the gear up to the top helped add real sweat to the actors haha.
20 *minutes of fill 🤦♂️
Glad it turned out well!!
Back Lit
I'd definitely be under cranking if I'm shooting at 24fps. Giving it that classic Hong Kong cinema feel and look for action shots.
I think it would be super cool to get longer takes into a fight scene so it feels more „raw“
When switching from one fighter to the other you all the sudden lower the perspective for the better fighter (worms eye view) and when you film the losing fighter you film from the top (Birdseye view). Implementing this vertical Camera movement into a fight long take would be really interesting to see... show who is winning and who is losing with the perspective
100% doing this with a backlit portrait in snow ⛄️
great video so many useful tips! Crazy i already been moving around keylights on the fly so good to see Im not "breaking" the rules that my school tells me I am
It's always good to experiment!
🔥🔥🔥
Freat video! I think i d use the cheapest tips 😂 using water as sweat to reflect the light more
show us the final!! Cheers
The way that I would shoot it is I will start by putting my Sony a 73 on a camera cage with a tilts a mat box and a tilt to follow focus with a Rokinon 14 mm lens and a Rokinon 35 mm lens I would use tube lights put them on C stands or hoist down from the ceiling to get some top down light and I will have to go dox ML 60s with ctb pointed at the ring I will use a fog machine just as you did to get some haze into the location and have a one light to the cinema setting or just have a flickering light with a cto color gel to give it a real urban feel I would also have some deep bass hits and cinematic sound design to give it an immersive sound call along with a good audio
Track and a voiceover about never giving up and fighting to the last drop. I would add some other the shoulder profile shots. all handheld for immersive feeling and a long beat to break the action with shots of training like the rocky run
Please make walkthrough for best Food items lighting for commercial etc.
Well done n funny
For the First time i disagree, i find the house lights pretty good already with some Haze , it looks less fake atmosphere , i would have add just some rim light or a light above. Ifind it too hazy mess look at the end. Would be cool for a Boxing trailer but not for a live action boxing sport. And also I dont know if i would crank the shutter speed. Because i do feel the sharpness we get the less velocity we get. I use to crank up my shutter speed to have my friend doing parkour + tricking specially in slow mo . But when now i mixed slow mo footage with normal shutter speed footage . NOrmal one add some intensity in the movement since its blurry
Awesome tutorial Valentina!! I like this format much better than the 3 minutes quick tutorials. Very clear and to the point but without rushing it.
I saw you suggested using v mount batteries for the 600 D. Is that possible with 2 26 volt batteries or do you need the upcoming 4 bay battery station.?
When you do the breakdown - can you put in the temperature of the lights?
Great breakdown!!
Additionally, I would have added a short gimbal shot for getting a bit more dynamic to the image. But great job! How much haze does it requires to get such strong beams?
A LOT of haze. Depending on how big your location is
❤️❤️❤️
My Action sequences
Are Bounce Snoot
And one big Soft box modeling light on.
These are sooo much more Precise
8:49 I know it's not the intended visual, but I think that house light is even more better. They should try to go further this way on an another video.