The unbearable darkness of our studio

March 20, 2009 12:00 PM

What are the go to guides for learning to light in production environments?

specifically, I'd like a resource (in book or other form) to learn about lighting sound stages for video production. our studio right now has plenty of decent lights, but not enough know how to compellingly light a scene.

posted by shmegegge to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

Here's a stage Lighting Bibliography, though it was last updated 12/10/97, so the books may be a bit hard to find. Otherwise, check google books for preview-able books.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:48 PM on March 20, 2009

Focal Press publishes outstanding textbooks. Aesthetics + safety.

Blain Brown or Harry Box = lots to consider.

check your library.
posted by Hammond Rye at 12:50 PM on March 20, 2009

Best answer: Essentially, you need something to learn the basics of lighting fundamentals, and a book about working in the studio. A great, great book for learning the ins and outs of studio lighting is The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook. It's a fantastic book on all aspects of set lighting from power distro to fixtures and use.

As far as theory and practice of lighting design period, look at Scenic Design and Stage Lighting by R. Craig Wolf and Dick Block - I teach from this text. It's a easily readable lighting design and basics book.

Blain Brown's Cinematography: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers is also a good read, specifically geared towards film and video lighting. I don't remember if he mentions television lighting in there, I don't have a copy anymore.

Have fun, no matter what!
posted by jimmyhutch at 1:15 PM on March 20, 2009 [2 favorites]