Moonlight Magic: Shane Hurlbut’s DIY Nighttime Lighting
Mastering nighttime lighting requires a skilled hand and a keen eye for creating a believable and atmospheric environment. But what if you’re working with limited resources? In this excerpt from the Filmmakers Academy archives, renowned cinematographer Shane Hurlbut, ASC, unveils his ingenious approach to crafting beautiful “gray moonlight” for night scenes, using readily available equipment.
From Metal Halide to Moonlight Magic
Hurlbut starts by transitioning from the harsh light of metal halide lamps to a softer, moodier ambiance. Here’s his secret weapon: tungsten lights. Praised for their “beautiful gray silver quality,” tungsten lights, set at 2900 Kelvin, provide a natural moonlight base. He utilizes Mini Nine lights for their powerful output and adjustable bulbs, allowing for precise control over the moonlight intensity.
Color Temperature and Gels: Shaping the Mood
To achieve a “steel blue” moonlight effect, Hurlbut introduces a quarter CTS Blue gel on the tungsten lights. This subtle touch ensures the moonlight color temperature remains cohesive with the existing warm ambient light.
Balancing Bounce and Dialing in the Look
Creating a realistic moonlight effect requires meticulous attention to detail. Hurlbut emphasizes the importance of a clean bounce source – a large white frame – to evenly distribute the tungsten light. He then meticulously monitors the actors’ skin tones using a false color chart, ensuring a balanced and natural appearance under the moonlight.
Mastering Moonlight with Metal Halides (Bonus Tip)
Hurlbut demonstrates a unique technique using the existing metal halide lights. By simply lowering the color temperature to 2900 Kelvin, he achieves a cool, “steel blue type of night.” This unexpected approach showcases the versatility of readily available equipment when wielded by a skilled cinematographer.
This is Just the Beginning: Unveiling the Night Cinematography Masterclass
This excerpt from our Night Exteriors course offers a glimpse into Shane Hurlbut’s masterful approach to night exteriors. To truly delve into his expertise, Filmmakers Academy is proud to announce the upcoming Night Cinematography Masterclass.
This monumental project promises a comprehensive exploration of night lighting, featuring a 70-person crew, top-of-the-line equipment, and the meticulous attention to detail that defines Hurlbut’s work. Pre-order your spot now and take your night cinematography skills to the Hollywood level!
Ready to take your filmmaking to the next level?
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how to light night from one of the best!
