I’m teaching two video production classes in late July at Home Video Studio’s 8th Annual Convention. These are basically beginning video production classes. We will be discussing cameras, coverage, shots, sound and of course lighting.

Let’s focus in on lighting just for a moment. Certainly, lighting is a key component, a core skill that is required for great video production. I just did a quick search on Google for the term “three point lighting” and received a ton of results offering to teach this technique, or at least to shed some light on the subject. LOL. Do your own search, if you like. The Web is a great resource for almost everything and probably anything you can think of. We learn from many sources. We do indeed learn by doing. Lighting-wise, I learned from Karl Koch and Bill Tobias. Karl was a gaffer on many of my film and video shoots in the 80s and Bill Tobias was and is a renowned still photographer. Bill was the Director of Photography on my independent feature film, Good Cop, Bad Cop. I remember watching both of these men ply their craft. Both are master craftsmen.

Using light in your video production is a key essential ingredient. It is one of your tools. How much light do you need? What about utilizing the manual or automatic exposure on your camera to adjust the lighting? When do you add light? How do you use fill light?  Should you use available lighting? What about white balance and color temperature? Are you shooting at dusk or dawn or somewhere in between? How do you light the inside of a car or shoot the reaction shot of someone watching a TV screen?

What is the best simple light kit to keep with you? Should you rent lights? How would you hire a gaffer? What is foam core and why should you have it on every shoot? These are all thoughts and questions to ponder, as well as skills to learn as you hone your video production skills.

Keep in mind the acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). Most of the time, we can use available light and perhaps add a touch of fill light. Budget, time restraints, and the type and scale of project will affect your approach to lighting.

Many of our studios totally get into video production, while some owners prefer to stay in their studios and do post-production. Chad Godfrey of Lee’s Summit likes to have it both ways. He just snagged a $9000 video production last week and still took in an additional $6,000 in other business in essentially post-production work. $15 thousand total is not bad for a week’s work. The key to success for Home Video Studio owners is that they are trained to be great craftsmen (and women) and yet, they understand and know this is a business. Making money comes first. It is very easy to get wrapped up a production and over-produce or give away the store. Sometimes less is more. Whether you are lighting a person or a scene, this is certainly true.

What will you do? What will your studio look like, feel like, and how will you feel sitting in the director’s chair knowing that you never, never have to work for someone else again? Why not make videos about corporate America instead of working for in corporate America? Anyway, just shedding a little light on the subject for you. Food for thought, especially if you have a light appetite (pun intended).

Call me today and we can chat. Let’s see if Home Video Studio is a good fit for you and for us.
Call my cell: 866-714-1956.

“May the force be with you...”

Robert Hanley
CEO and Founder
Home Video Studio