Your videos on lighting green screen are outstanding. Simple, repeatable, and eliminates so much "fix it in post". These instructions are timeless. Thank you.
@@BasicFilmmaker It takes me about an hour of real time to create 1 minute of video, or 5 hours to do 5 minutes of finished video. That is setup, color, take after take, reviewing, sorting keep from blooper, sync audio, edit, edit the edit, reshoot... and clean up. Not including tags, hashtags, Wordpress blog, posting to social media, all the SEO stuff.
Yep, that’s about right. I’ve streamlined my process somewhat, but a minimum of everything in about 5 hours is as fast as I can go for any video. The more complex, the longer it takes.
7 years ago, and still this is one of the best videos about bank lighting (although now LED is cheap enough). Actually all your videos are one of the bests. Thank you!
I have to say, I stumbled across this channel on complete accident while watching some of Peter McKinnon's videos about photography and editing. I started looking at different camera work and sound design and your video showed up in the recommended feed. I forgot which one it was because after I saw that particular one, I fell down the rabbit hole of RUclips and started watching everything that I can find with basic filmmaker. I really enjoy how simple and to the point you are. I love how you don't bullshit around and try to sell the product but more or less educate and try to point people in the right direction. As someone with a low budget myself I could really appreciate when I feel like somebody's trying to teach me about things rather than push a sale on me. Keep doing what you do and you will have a subscriber in me for life.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’ve been searching for these DIY lights for a while. Now back to the green screen video tutorial! You got yourself a thumbs up and a new subscriber.
Came here from your Basics of Green Screen vid, this is fantastic, thanks you so much! Almost 6 years later and it is so relevant. With everything moving online for COVID, my job description has changed drastically to include producer, cameraman, lighting engineer, and editor. You are saving my butt for sure. Thanks Kevin!
@@BasicFilmmaker Oh.. look at that, I"m a big fan of D4 in South Africa - guess it takes one to see another! Anyway, I'm curious, you're presentation is impeccable - your script is on point and your punch line are just pin point on the dot..which I must admit makes me suspect its all scripted....and READ every-line? So my question is if it is scripted - are you using a teleprompter of sort and where have you placed it? I suspect you are and I think I know where it is, if so please let me know as I've been meaning to do the same (...as I think and hope you've done)
I too am here from there; I was wondering if LED strip lights (the flat kind) would make for good, lightweight and VERY inexpensive tunable light solution ?
@@BasicFilmmaker I think I'm going to make one as a test; put them on a $6 lunch tray. and they will be unbreakable. The cool thing is they could be used as a battery-powered light using a power brick, and their low height would allow them to be placed almost anywhere. Lots of them even have remote control options (physical or even app-based). Output is the biggest question. A quick google has this to say: "LED strip brightness is typically described in lumens per foot (or meter). A good quality LED strip should provide at least 450 lumens per foot (1500 lumens per meter), which provides approximately the same amount of light output per foot as a traditional T8 fluorescent lamp."
Awesome that you did this just so to show it can be done. I guess next up will be the epic all-you-ever-need-to-do-for-good-green-screen-work-video you talked about earlier? You get some of the best results out there (seen a lot of folks ending up with soft edges... green spill, not good), so I'm happy to learn how you do it. As always: thanks for sharing!
***** Thanks! Yeah, I've been getting pretty good results for this type of episodic shooting. I figure I gotta start somewhere on this, and since most people do the talking head thing, we can start there.
you are amazing man, i just discovered you last night after searching for better tips on green screen. I had a pretty decent set up for my first try but after experiments and trying new things i realized it wasn't going to cut it...i spent time cleaning some space in the garage today where i work and finally set it up to where i can stretched the green screen...i have been wanting to do this for some time but my space has a lot of clutter. I was really impressed last night with your studio space and how clean and well managed it is, i have been wanting to do this for some time now and i really want a nice set up like you have. i am new to all this and learning so many things and really happy i found you. so my next search today was the lighting you mentioned in your other video and i really like this idea and will be doing this next i need a little more work cleaning so i can make room for them but i will manage it. i have bigger plans after april when i get time to make a cleaner nicer space that i feel i want now but didn't really want when i started, i didn't think i would like this as much as i do. so for now i will take the first advice and work with the green screen than move on to learning everything you have to share. really appreciate you.
Basic Filmmaker for sure, you have inspired me, been a little discouraged the past couple weeks and needed a boost, appreciate you ... I got greenscreener last night and started searching the items I will need to build the banks last night. I really need them
Another rock'in episode! You gotta love DIY. Starting to run basic greenscreen (not too fancy) and just needed to control the hotspots. Your video is the best few minutes I have spent in a while. Keep it up.
You produce fun, highly informative videos. Just what a newbie needs. This was my 2nd of your channel, I will be watching a bunch more! Thumbs up and subscribed...
Brilliant! Thank you! Unfortunately the links don't appear to be working.. plus I'm in the UK so could do with finding a local source. Is there anyway you could post links to the actual products used so that I can search our local retailers? I did a search on "Sylvania Full Spectrum 5000k tube" but I have no idea if anything that comes up matches. Many thanks I've subscribed!
Hey there. I don't update the links anymore as it almost became a full-time career for me. The links kept changing daily/weekly/monthly - prices up and down, etc. Just find some 5000K-ish tubes with a shell that has a ballast and you'll be good. Also, since making this video, these light panels have come WAY down, and it might be better to research the cost of buying vs making them.
Question: At 2:56 you mention 5 thousand K… but doesn’t K = 5000 I’m not a lighting guy at all so maybe K stands for Kelvin or some other word used for lighting guys. Please enlighten me (an obvious yet fun play on words). Thanks Steve
I know,I think I realized I was enjoying acting more than filming so I've done a lot more musical theatre and plays and stop the videos. I definitely want to keep learning and pursuing though. I'll post something soon (hint hint)
TheChadmania That's great Chad. I wish earlier in my career I had done a lot of acting and stage, as I think I would have understood more what these people experience. What little acting I have done - it's really frickin hard (at least for me). Glad to see you're doing what you want to do. And yeah, I can take a hint. :)
I'm going to try making some of these. I changed my garage lights over to LED a while back and put the old lights in the storage shed, guess I should head to the hardware store and get some better bulbs.
Kevin. Have you tried this DIY with the newer LED non ballasted shop lights? I have a smaller studio and was thinking of two 2 bulb 4 foot lights with frosted covers.
Can you look at this on Amazon. It’s just 2 tubes each but would it work for a simple RUclips channel with a green screen? Sunco Lighting 2 Pack LED Utility Shop Light, 4 FT, Linkable Integrated Fixture, 40W=260W, 5000K Daylight, 4100 LM, Frosted Lens, Surface/Suspension Mount, Pull Chain, Garage - ETL, Energy Star
Have you considered LED bulbs made for florescent light fixtures? I put them in my basement ceiling ficturws and they are so bright and cool that I only needed two bulbs in each of the four bulb bays. For your DIY Bank lights, they may be just about perfect.
What is the metal part called that the Ballast comes in? I cannot find the metal that comes with the ballast. I can only just buy the ballast itself. Thank you and great vid by the way!
Awesome video! So are the ballasts automatically included with the lights. The product description online don't seem to clarify that piece. Thanks so much for all you do, Kevin!!
After fooling around with a few different clamp on work lights, this looks like the best solution for the type of videos I do, thanks for the "how to"!
Larned Justin You bet. Makes a lot more sense when you see the next video. These are almost always used behind the talent for green screen work or background lighting.
Giovanni Stefani is keep it near white as possible. When you try and pull a key, if you happen to be wearing something blue and you pull the key, you’re going also hit on the talent and remove anything that is blue. If you really want to do it well it 2020, get some green LEds
Thanks Kevin for the quick reply. Talk to me about green LED's . Do I really need 4-banks? I saw your other video on the C???-TV device with controller but they are not available. I do stage lighting for a sound company that I own but they are LED round on a trellis. Is there a requirement for green LED's (e.g. 5000K). LED's almost never equate to true kelvin, correct? Also, I'm assuming I should still shoot for 90+ CRI. My use for these is to do IT instructional videos and looking to have a data center as a backdrop. BTW, don't let anyone kid you about your long talks. I like to talk too. Sometimes too much ;).
@@GiovanniStefani This is such a minefield (not in a bad way) as tech had changed so much over the years. You can get the fluorescent lights and now they sell green tuns that slide over these. There are also great and cheap bank lights to do this if you look around. You just want white, green would make it easier to pull the key, I wouldn't go crazy on the kelvin values - I've seen some pull a key on some awful lighting, the key (no pun intended) is to spend as little time as possible messing around with the keying as possible. IF you really want to save yourself a ton of time, search online for an actual backdrop with a data center-ish printed on it. If you watch my latest videos when I am in the main studio, that brick wall is printed fabric. You could also do it by sending a print place a photo of what you want printed on a large sheet and you that, just make sure to give it some blur so it looks real on the camera. The real savings here is you don't have to mess around with the screen and keying, only need to deal with lighting the talent (you), and you take a ton of stuff out of the mix.
@@BasicFilmmaker When you refer to "green tuns", are those also known as "tube guards". Also, are there any good links to green LED florescent. Also, I found a Chauvet bank unit that has a Bluetooth controller that would work with my other Chauvet par can led lighting. It's around 40" in length (39.5" to be exact). The controller works on an Android/Apple device and can dim as well. A bit pricey @ ~$190 USD each, but still cheaper than the band lighting from video distributors. I ordered a Elgato green screen collapsible in an aluminum case for portability that measures 58 x 70". I use Techsmith Camtasia for doing 99% of our marketing/instructional videos.
LOL! Green tuns. Tubes. What you are proposing sounds right. Test, test, and retest. Always keep in mind you want to light the screen appropriately FIRST as evenly as you can and get the hotspots out as best you can where the talent will be. If the talent is always in the middle of the frame, don’t worry about anything outside that and mask it all out. You can always buy one whatever for each side, get it working, THEN you’ll know if you need more.
Hi, great video very useful. Would this work with LED fluorescent lights? Looking at the spec it states no flicker although the output rated at daylight is 6500. Regards Lewis
Yeah I was wondering about that. I guess someone needs to just try them. I'm also thinking about buying more GVM style led panels, yes more expensive, but then you have more options adjusting temp of the lights.
In theory, yes, but there a couple of things to verify: 1. "No flicker" could mean no *visible* flicker. Or it could actually mean a dead-flat trace on a meter hooked to an oscilloscope. Make sure you know which it is. 2. DON'T FORGET THE CRI!!! LED's are notorious for bad color rendering. There are good ones, but the cheap ones are not. The reason is that a "white" LED is not actually white. It's a combination of a blue LED and a yellow phosphor. The phosphor works the same as it does in a fluorescent light: it absorbs short wavelengths of light and emits longer wavelengths. In a fluorescent tube, the phosphor absorbs ultraviolet and emits a wide range of visible light, while in a "white" LED, the phosphor is designed differently to absorb blue and emit a range of yellows. The combination of imperfectly absorbed blue (on purpose) plus yellow, gives the appearance of white, despite there not being much red, green, or violet. As you might expect, this is awful when you want to represent colors accurately, hence a low or unpublished CRI number. That said, there are "high CRI" white LED's that have a bit more engineering behind them and are thus more expensive, but they have a different LED and a different phosphor, or multiples of each, that actually fill out the entire visible spectrum. THAT is what you're looking for. Insist on a CRI that is actually published for starters, then look for at least 90 (the best possible is direct sunlight at 100; incandescents are naturally around 99 without even trying), and an industry-standard test method.
I just saw this video and was wondering the same thing - replace the fluorescent bulbs with the LED replacements. I know some of these need to be rewired to take the ballast out of the circuit - I'm just wondering if the LED's end up flickering on screen? The LEDs come in a variety of color temperatures. For non-photo use, I'm planning on converting a few of mine in the utility room and see what the outcome is.
You mean for LEDs take the ballast out? Just buy LED light banks which are pretty cheap. If you mean the normal fluorescent, you WANT the ballast as that is what controls the light output and keeps them from flickering. The ballast is the electricity flow regulator. Those flickering fluorescent lights you see have a damaged or no ballast. Love to hear how your conversion goes Bill Karle. Thanks!
@@BasicFilmmaker thanks for the reply! Much appreciated. I have an led as my main room light so I wanted to keep the light even. I am not that clued up on led's, but do they Flicker on and off like fluorescents, causing strobe effects? Or do they have a constant output? I have been picking up some flickering on my camera and am not sure if it's the camera or led's. Thank you
@@paca_bill4863 yeah, Bill, if your banks are already installed then remove the ballast. But if you starting afresh def buy led banks, cheaper and easier
The ones I got came with the metal enclosure and a cord about 6 foot long and included a ballast. I’m not an Electrical guy so I didn’t wanna play with wiring. So what I got everything came ready to go and I just added some lights.
@@BasicFilmmaker Ended up having to go with different lights, but so far so good; I added a board to the back for stability and handles and will likely add barn doors that close around the front to add protection when they're not in use. Waiting on the green tube covers; will make a video documenting how I made them. Can I tag you in it?
Hey Kevin! GREAT name (also a Kevin). :) I keep updating these links and they keep changing them. Look for 32-Watt 5000K Natural Daylight Linear Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb, and Utilitech Linear Shop Light (Common: 4-ft).
@@BasicFilmmaker How about these: www.amazon.com/Limostudio-Lighting-Digital-Fluroescent-Barndoor/dp/B00C7XVFIY/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1547656977&sr=1-4&keywords=bank+lights
I did another video where I used LED lights, and although they were quite expensive, I think you could do the same thing that video covered using green LED lights which is the way to go. They’re quite cheap now and some googling will get you what you want.
Great video. I used them and the video came out wonderful... But if I wanted to the fluorescent tubes as single light sources without the bank housing. Will the ballast still work effectively with extended wiring. Thanks
Hi Kevin, thanks again for this great content. I bought a pair of shoplights. They include an electronic certified ballast. I shouldn’t need a new one, right?
I'm consistently pleased with your even evaluation of techniques. I've actually spoken to (shot down) the inventor of Kinos, and this is definitely the way to go if you don't need to have the added necessity of 'show,' and know what you're doing.
kurt lindner Thank Kurt. I don't mean to shoot down these pro lighting manufacturers. I do however, know that a lot of people watching this show don't have the kind of budgets that people who use these lights do, so hopefully this alternative will help.
***** You're right, I may have incorrectly phrased my meaning with, "shot down;" with the Kino thing, it was merely, "you're profit margin is excessive." On real sets, people just want stuff that works without overly thinking about it, and everyone knows already, which I can appreciate.
For sure. And I'm good with "shot down." i do know these Kino lights are reliable as hell, and I can tell you, you drop or mishandle these DIY lights, and they're toast. Of course, you could just buy and build like 30 of these DIY lights for the same price and not give a crap. :)
Hi Kevin, great video as always. I was wondering, in terms of lumens, how much brightness would usually be required for adequately lighting a green screen? I understand lumens are probably the best way of comparing different types of lights (I have learnt a lot from an earlier video of yours on lighting in general). Also, these days cheap LED batten lights are readily available. Could they make a good substitute for fluorescent tubes? Many thanks in deed.
So I went to Home Depot to check out thier shop lights. 89 bucks for a 4 footer and the fluorescent tubes are thin. UT it does hold 4 of them. But, while there they also sell the led shop lights. Not made of many tiny LEDs. Rather. It's one large flat panel LED. VERY large. Yet cheaper than the fluorescent unit by almost half. What say you about that?
Yes - more recent development and more available. If you use separate lights for the screen, you can get green bulbs or LEDs and they light the screen with green, and Voila!
I think there's a video for you to do about green florescent lights. There are no videos about using green florescent lights to create green screen wall. Can you do one?
They don’t make them anymore. I think the lights were simply plug in shop lights with a built in ballast so they don’t flicker. Nowadays, I would think you could get LED lights for about the same price and less hassle.
I would put a nut on the light stand to tighten the lights down. Although it would still have some tension on the bracket, you could probably have to "L" brackets mounted on a sheet of metal and either drill a hole or mount another bracket and tighten it on the light stand. :)
Great video... I recently put together a similar low cost set-up using those round aluminum work lights (found at your local home center type store); I like the set-up in this video better though, and may add a couple of these in the future! Thanks for posting!
Great idea Nate. As I said, there's all sorts of thing you could do to this thing if you have the time. I went as basic as I could to show it could be done for my next video.
Hey Max did you end up finding a solution? I'm in Australia as well and nobody here seems to know what I'm talking about when I show them. Been to Jaycar, Bunnings, Beacon Lighting, etc. Cheers.
@@cinestudiosaus Im not going to endorse anyone on ebay. But look up studio lighting and you will find one. Also I use a cotton grade green screen and it works well. with those lights. I passed it through the wash once when I bought it and hung it out to dry and it removed all the creases. Dont hang it in the sun. Make sure its full shade They sell you the right lms and K. And get it from an Aussie located shop. Some delays in postage but it all gets there :D
Yep. I stopped updating as it became a career every two days. Nowadays, you can get LED lights (no flicker) and the whole deal for pretty cheap. They work too.
Hi Basic Filmmaker, just came across this video from your Green Light Basics. NO wonder my Adobe editing skills get inundated with extra work, I wasn't lighting up my subject and green screen properly! Your video is a few years old but I know you come out here on the regular to post comment replies. Do you have any updates on equipment picks? Some of your links don't work and Lowes's says its unavailable... Please help! Mainly the shop light.
Hey James. Yes - I gave up trying to keep track of those links, as they were changing weekly, and it was becoming a career. :) Shop around, and you'll find something - maybe even LEDs. The thing you want is a consistent color and no flicker.
I go to a local studio, not very fancy, and the owner makes a big deal out of the type of lights he uses. He says his lights are 400 Hz flicker which is much higher than domestic lights. It is not clear what the "ballast" does on your lights but are you reaching up to the higher frequencies?
The ballast simply controls the electrical flow to the lights and makes its one stable signal, which is where flicker comes from. I don’t shoot high frame rate videos, usually 24, 30 or 60 at the most, so no flicker for me.
I went to my local Lowe's and found everything I needed. I spent about $150 to make both lights. The LED panel lights were about the same cost but the one fluorescent bulb puts out more then half the entire light of the LED panel.
I had to move the panels 4-5ft in from of the screen and angle them in to remove the hotspots. I thought the panels would be on the sides of the screen but it get hotspots on the edges. Am I doing something wrong?
Hi！I'm Davide from Milan (Italy). I'm watching your tuts with enthusiasm as I'm approaching DIY green screen film-making for fun and a commercial project for myself. Congrats on the whole youtube project, very well done, instructive and entertaining! I gave up DIYing the green screen and the 3 points lighting system as in Italy it's way cheaper to buy them on Amazon, but the light banks are on the way as per your tutorial. However, I'm finding difficult, very difficult, to find the right flo bulbs and the housing hosting 4 bulbs. So the question is: 1) Would one 150cm housing per side hosting 2 52W bulbs at 4000K / 82or85 CRI do the trick? My hair color is blond and I read that a CRI below 90 could render yellowish halos around the talent and cause problems with the edges and hair of the subject filmed. However at the same time I also read that a CRI of 82 is already in the range of white /sun light. Unfortuately in Italy flo-bulbs can either be found at 4000K or 6700K and online no one is offering differently... 2) I would be filmino in a small environment on a 3 meters wide green screen, and therefore the banks would be very next to the green screen. With such lighing setup, would the floor banks also be needed if I want to shoot head to feet? I thank you in advance. Ciao, Davide
Davide Pasini Hello David. The CRI stand for Color Rendering Index. That's how ell the color renders based on the K value. In other words, the lower the CRI, the more variability. The values you are referring to are the K values. 5000-5500K is like a white flash, 5500K to 6500K is like daylight (and a bit bluer) and so on, 4000-5000K is a bit yellower and so on down. If all you can get is say 4000K, then you can just adjust the K value on your camera to suit. The above values are just an estimate, and there are many differing opinions on this. This link may help: photographyelement.com/intro-to-white-balance/ and again, you can just adjust the K value on your camera to change the white balance so it looks correct.
I’m late to the game and loving the content in your channel. Wish all the links for this light kit worked though. Either way, keep up the amazing work!!!!!
I quit trying to update the link long ago as it was becoming a daily thing. Search for shop lights, better yet, in 2021 go with LEDs as they are a lot cheaper now.
I quit updating them. They came in Nd out every day and it was becoming a career in itself. Just gone or amazon or whatever and you find them. They’re just shop lights.
Check the colour tempertaure and lumen light output to see if they meet or exceed the lamps Kevin recommended. The strength or force of light from a lamp is measured in lumens, not watts! Watts is the amount of electrical energy drawn by the lamps, NOT light output. Read labels carefully. Cheers from Montreal.
@Chuck Bricker @Frederic Hore True that Frederic and thanks for chiming in. When this video was made LEDs were SUPER expensive. I think now it might be more cost effective to buy something than build them, not sure.
Hey, Kevin. Thanks for the information. The bulbs you mentioned don't seem to be available anymore, so I looked around a bit. What do you think about using GE Daylight T8 LED tubes instead? 1800lm and 120 CRI. 6500k, though. Is that too blue? I'll reply to this with a link to the GE product page. (They're available at Lowes)
They should be fine. Really you're looking at having a smooth lit screen, rather than specific K values, although that could be a bit much. Search around and you can find GREEN tubes that fit over the lights, which REALLY makes all the difference. And yeah, I gave up on updating the light links, it was becoming a career for me as they seemed to change weekly. :)
@@BasicFilmmaker Thank you for the reply! Yeah, I can imagine the links change too often. So, you recommend a green tube? Am I mistaken or did you originally recommend magenta gel for the green screen?
@@telluwut5674 The magenta gel would be placed on the hair light up and behind you. The hair light (or rim light) makes a nice light around you, looks good, and pulls you off the background more. For green screen, the magenta gel cancels out some of the green spill that is common when doing these, and makes pulling yourself out of the green easier. I haven't used these green tubes, but I HAVE used green lights which turned out awesome, same idea.
Hi. Great video. Thank you. Any reason I could not use LED tube lights for this project? If so, is there a color temp you would recommend? I believe you mentioned 5500k in the video. I would be using these for green screen lighting. Thanks!
The DIY bank lights that I use have an additional switch allowing me to turn off half of the bulbs. I don't use this option as much as I expected. I tend to scrim them with window screen instead. Great episode as always.
Thanks man...great tip on the screen scrim! Note for others...a scrim is a screen, cloth or other (non-combustible) material put over lights to diffuse them i some way. :)
Here is a bit more info for the readers. Window screen will cut the intensity of the light by 1 or more stops depending on the density of the screen you get. It will not effect the other qualities of the light. Another options is to use a 20X24 inch ND gel, cut into two 10X24 inch strips. Diffusion material will also cut the intensity of light, but will also soften the light a bit. Placing shiny aluminum tape on the cover behind the bulbs will give you a bit more intensity. To control the directionality of the light, place a grid (egg crate) used with drop ceiling fixtures in front of the light. Chrome and flat black work best.
DIYCameraGuy That's cool. Thanks! Now how about a video on what stops are, and what ND gel is. 9 months since the last video! 1200 subscribers! (This is a joke, I know you're freakin busy with a project). :)
Holy crap, I have 1200 subs. When did that happen? The feature is coming along well. I have a little behind the scenes footage shot. Now all I need is a clone to go to work for me so I can get some editing done for the channel. Thanks for the friendly nudge though, it helps. I am a little nervous about lighting the night scene this weekend, interior day for night. It is on a second story with no outside access to the windows. I have a plan lets hope it works.
Excellent & interesting video. Although I don't intend to use them in near future but I can see amount of hard work and editing on this project, appreciated.
These have changed sooooo many times and I've updated the links - I can't keep u wit it as the ones I link get sold out, and we're back again.. Just look for the bulbs I mention, on Amazon, at Lowes, Home Depot or wherever you would get these. Make sure they have a good CRI value, and you should be good. They last a long time...I still have the ones I bought when I made this video.
Yep. This is an older video, and since then LEDs have dropped dramatically. I would check into already built LED lights like these and it may cost less than building it.
@@BasicFilmmaker Very well! I will try to find the Utilitech Linear Shop Light, but Lowes no longer dispatch XD. I'm from Mexico so I'll see how I manage it haha, but thank you very much for the information I admire your work so much you have no idea how much it helps me in my recording projects.
Are there any cheaper options than Kinos in 2019, besides building them? I guess what I'm saying is I'm not too cheap to buy decent lights, but Kinos are too much for me. I'd love something cheaper than Kinos, but that I don't have to put together, and with a built-in dimmer and barn doors.
For sure! Shop around - Kinos are super expensive, the equivalent is over $1000 for one bank. I'm not going to recommend what I would find. Let me know if you find something that works - interested.
I apologize if you've already answered this question, and I just can't find it anywhere, but what kind of light stands are those and how much do they hold? I'm able to make these bank lights with the links you provided but I'm scared to buy light stands that can't support them. Thanks!
+Sierra Nelson Hey Sierra. The one I mounted them on were part of a green screen light package that was very cheap. As long as one of the legs is pointed in the direction of the weight you should be fine, but, that being said, they lights are not pro lights, and do not take any abuse. If these are just going to sit in a studio set up they should be fine though.
Yeah I plan to set them up and just lock it all down. Almost none of my videos require transportable lights. Thank You! Your channel is extremely helpful to me.
Hi, thanks again for this DIY bank lights video and the other one on green screen. I got the Lowes shop lights (T8) you suggested, but they have only 4100K or 6500K T8 tubes available, and their CRI is in the low 80's range. The lighting set I am using uses 5500K CFL bulbs. Should I get the 4100K or 6500K tubes for the bank lights? Thanks!
Found that Home Depot has 5000K T8 but the CRI is 82. Is low CRI for bank lights going to matter? Thanks. www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-4-ft-T8-32-Watt-Natural-Light-Linear-Fluorescent-Light-Bulb-10-Pack-205047/100613495
Interesting question Leo. I just haven't used low CRI bulbs as I don't want to mess with it. As far as the K value, I don't think it will matter much, as you will be pulling the lit part, the green part, out anyway, AS LONG AS the light don't spill onto you, the talent. As far as CRI, again, I haven't tried it. I would be worried that a low CRI might offer differing colors on the green screen, and make it harder to pull a key, but again, haven't tried it, as I like to be safe with this and not battle keying in my editor. I would either find a higher CRI, or just go with the lower CRI knowing that you'll find out there aren't any problems, or, knowing that you may have to replace them if you do have to much color indifference.
Thanks. I went ahead buying the 5000K T8 with CRI 82. Likely the green will not be as faithfully rendered as with the fluorescent tubes with CRI 90, but as long as it is evenly green, hopefully it will work alright. I will give you update later!
The CRI 82 works fine for my application. I figured that how the green is being rendered as is not that important, as long as it is consistent (so the background can be removed consistently).
I keep updating these links and they keep changing them. Look for 32-Watt 5000K Natural Daylight Linear Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb, and Utilitech Linear Shop Light (Common: 4-ft). For LED look for 4 foot LED bank lights.
Great video, but the lights are gone. Shop lights are going all LED. They presumably flicker? How about an updated version of this with LED shop lights?
Wow awesome, I remember seeing somebody make a video about these DIY, but I was scared to do them because he was talking about how you have to get a ballast and wire it. I didnt want to mess with it. I'm going to go order this stuff right now. Thanks man!!
How can I determine if the ballast is electronic? If is doesn't specifically say electronic ballast are there indicators? I'm about to drive up to Lowes/Home Depot and look at the shop light they have.
They’re Not available anymore. Try searching Amazon they have plenty of lights that you can check out as long as they have a ballast of the cord you’re good. I would highly suggest you check out LED lights as now they are a lot cheaper.
@Renee Molnar has suggested these lights, and they look GREAT and only cost $55!! Thank you!
amzn.to/2Rn4Vxg
So Kevin are you saying these lights will work in place of the ones you had in your video above? Just make sure to get the right bulbs???
I haven’t tested it, but they look legit. Note that you would need FOUR, two for each side, as they’re just under 2 foot long.
@@BasicFilmmaker I did not notice that they were that short... Urrghh. Already ordered 2. Thanks so much for getting back to me :-)
Renee Molnar Let me know how it goes. Could be two are enough - love to know.
$75.50 now :( :(
Your videos on lighting green screen are outstanding. Simple, repeatable, and eliminates so much "fix it in post".
These instructions are timeless. Thank you.
Thanks Pete! As you probably know a lot of work goes into creating these videos a nice comments are always welcomed!
@@BasicFilmmaker It takes me about an hour of real time to create 1 minute of video, or 5 hours to do 5 minutes of finished video. That is setup, color, take after take, reviewing, sorting keep from blooper, sync audio, edit, edit the edit, reshoot... and clean up. Not including tags, hashtags, Wordpress blog, posting to social media, all the SEO stuff.
Yep, that’s about right. I’ve streamlined my process somewhat, but a minimum of everything in about 5 hours is as fast as I can go for any video. The more complex, the longer it takes.
7 years ago, and still this is one of the best videos about bank lighting (although now LED is cheap enough). Actually all your videos are one of the bests. Thank you!
Thank you, appreciate it.
I have to say, I stumbled across this channel on complete accident while watching some of Peter McKinnon's videos about photography and editing. I started looking at different camera work and sound design and your video showed up in the recommended feed. I forgot which one it was because after I saw that particular one, I fell down the rabbit hole of RUclips and started watching everything that I can find with basic filmmaker. I really enjoy how simple and to the point you are. I love how you don't bullshit around and try to sell the product but more or less educate and try to point people in the right direction. As someone with a low budget myself I could really appreciate when I feel like somebody's trying to teach me about things rather than push a sale on me. Keep doing what you do and you will have a subscriber in me for life.
Thanks! Appreciate the kind comment NuKhaos!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’ve been searching for these DIY lights for a while. Now back to the green screen video tutorial! You got yourself a thumbs up and a new subscriber.
Thank you! - Kevin
Came here from your Basics of Green Screen vid, this is fantastic, thanks you so much! Almost 6 years later and it is so relevant. With everything moving online for COVID, my job description has changed drastically to include producer, cameraman, lighting engineer, and editor. You are saving my butt for sure. Thanks Kevin!
Thanks Ian. And thanks for being a subscriber!!
Great episode Basic! "They flicker like a Mo-Fo on camera" lol. Best line ever.
Thanks D! And yeah, they do! :)
@@BasicFilmmaker Oh.. look at that, I"m a big fan of D4 in South Africa - guess it takes one to see another! Anyway, I'm curious, you're presentation is impeccable - your script is on point and your punch line are just pin point on the dot..which I must admit makes me suspect its all scripted....and READ every-line? So my question is if it is scripted - are you using a teleprompter of sort and where have you placed it? I suspect you are and I think I know where it is, if so please let me know as I've been meaning to do the same (...as I think and hope you've done)
Simply amazing stuff. I'm scrambling trying to catch up on all the lost years of not knowing about your channel! Thank you!
Thanks so much Megan
I have these ideas on paper, been waiting to bring them to life. Your videos are helpful, and entertaining. Enjoy the demonstrations.
Yep, this is some of the best info out there, and I could watch/listen to you all day.
Thanks for the amazing tips!!
Thank you Matt. Much apprenticed.
Man, this guy is the best! Thanks for all that you do!
Thanks Sidney! 👍
2 years and 351 days post release of episode...
BLOODY AWESOME !!!!
I'll build some soon!!!
Thanks !
Nice. If you get a chance, let me know how it goes!
did you end up building some.. I'm looking into doing this now..
Don't mind me. I'm just making my way back to the "BASICS OF GREEN SCREEN - Everything You Need To Know" video...
😂😂😂 Thanks for the laugh!!
I too am here from there; I was wondering if LED strip lights (the flat kind) would make for good, lightweight and VERY inexpensive tunable light solution ?
Haven’t tried it but sounds right. They just need enough output.
@@BasicFilmmaker I think I'm going to make one as a test; put them on a $6 lunch tray. and they will be unbreakable. The cool thing is they could be used as a battery-powered light using a power brick, and their low height would allow them to be placed almost anywhere. Lots of them even have remote control options (physical or even app-based). Output is the biggest question. A quick google has this to say:
"LED strip brightness is typically described in lumens per foot (or meter). A good quality LED strip should provide at least 450 lumens per foot (1500 lumens per meter), which provides approximately the same amount of light output per foot as a traditional T8 fluorescent lamp."
@@done.8373 Hey Don, how was your experiment? Did it work?
Thanks Kevin, six years later and I still enjoyed your video.....ok back to the OTHER video...
Awesome that you did this just so to show it can be done.
I guess next up will be the epic all-you-ever-need-to-do-for-good-green-screen-work-video you talked about earlier? You get some of the best results out there (seen a lot of folks ending up with soft edges... green spill, not good), so I'm happy to learn how you do it. As always: thanks for sharing!
***** Thanks! Yeah, I've been getting pretty good results for this type of episodic shooting. I figure I gotta start somewhere on this, and since most people do the talking head thing, we can start there.
Every time I went to a bank, I thought the lighting there was smoother than everywhere else. And now I know why! Thank you! :)
Thanks Walter!
Kevin - The Basic Filmmaker
I hope you took that with a smile. On a serious note, I think this will be one of my projects on my to do list :)
Always a 😁. Neat project, now in 2020 you can practically buy led banks light for that.
Kevin - The Basic Filmmaker
Yes, LED’s. I love them and I hate them.
Cheers! :)
you are amazing man, i just discovered you last night after searching for better tips on green screen. I had a pretty decent set up for my first try but after experiments and trying new things i realized it wasn't going to cut it...i spent time cleaning some space in the garage today where i work and finally set it up to where i can stretched the green screen...i have been wanting to do this for some time but my space has a lot of clutter. I was really impressed last night with your studio space and how clean and well managed it is, i have been wanting to do this for some time now and i really want a nice set up like you have. i am new to all this and learning so many things and really happy i found you. so my next search today was the lighting you mentioned in your other video and i really like this idea and will be doing this next
i need a little more work cleaning so i can make room for them but i will manage it. i have bigger plans after april when i get time to make a cleaner nicer space that i feel i want now but didn't really want when i started, i didn't think i would like this as much as i do. so for now i will take the first advice and work with the green screen than move on to learning everything you have to share. really appreciate you.
Thanks very much for the kind comments.
Basic Filmmaker for sure, you have inspired me, been a little discouraged the past couple weeks and needed a boost, appreciate you ... I got greenscreener last night and started searching the items I will need to build the banks last night. I really need them
Nice. Love to see what you come up with!
@@BasicFilmmaker i will show you when i do it, i have some work to do to make space for them, but I will show you when i come up with something.
Great!
Another rock'in episode! You gotta love DIY. Starting to run basic greenscreen (not too fancy) and just needed to control the hotspots. Your video is the best few minutes I have spent in a while. Keep it up.
Thanks so much!
This is the first DIY lighting episode that I didn't find too scary to even think about trying. Great episode!
Thanks Penguin!
You produce fun, highly informative videos. Just what a newbie needs. This was my 2nd of your channel, I will be watching a bunch more! Thumbs up and subscribed...
Thanks Jim! I'm really glad you like the content. It's not ALL perfect, but I try.
GREATEST THING I’VE EVER WATCHED! PERFECT FOR MY GAMING CHANNEL 👍🏾
Great!
Brilliant! Thank you!
Unfortunately the links don't appear to be working.. plus I'm in the UK so could do with finding a local source.
Is there anyway you could post links to the actual products used so that I can search our local retailers?
I did a search on "Sylvania Full Spectrum 5000k tube" but I have no idea if anything that comes up matches.
Many thanks
I've subscribed!
Hey there. I don't update the links anymore as it almost became a full-time career for me. The links kept changing daily/weekly/monthly - prices up and down, etc. Just find some 5000K-ish tubes with a shell that has a ballast and you'll be good. Also, since making this video, these light panels have come WAY down, and it might be better to research the cost of buying vs making them.
yeah I would find this useful too.. I'm also in the U.K.
Question:
At 2:56 you mention 5 thousand K…
but doesn’t K = 5000
I’m not a lighting guy at all so maybe K stands for Kelvin or some other word used for lighting guys.
Please enlighten me (an obvious yet fun play on words).
Thanks
Steve
Nice play on words. K is Kelvin. This video explains it in the first couple of minutes. ruclips.net/video/7kKyG9_5JtE/видео.html
@@BasicFilmmaker
Awesome…
Thanks
Awesome to see you back, this is a well needed lesson too.
TheChadmania CHAD!!!!! Hello! These will make a lot of sense in my next video. AND.....nothing posted in a year??? (hehe)
I know,I think I realized I was enjoying acting more than filming so I've done a lot more musical theatre and plays and stop the videos. I definitely want to keep learning and pursuing though. I'll post something soon (hint hint)
TheChadmania
That's great Chad. I wish earlier in my career I had done a lot of acting and stage, as I think I would have understood more what these people experience. What little acting I have done - it's really frickin hard (at least for me). Glad to see you're doing what you want to do. And yeah, I can take a hint. :)
Yeah, I'm really enjoying myself on the stage and in front of the camera but I love the behind-the-camera action as well.
Legendary stuff, mate! Love your work! All the best from Norway!
Thank you! Cheers!
WOW I think my eyes are GREEN now! long video --- very long -- but I think I watched most of it -- SUPER GOOD ;) Thank you
Just found your channel, YOU ARE THE MAN!!!
Thanks Jonathan!
You're awesome. This DIY is awesome. Great presenting... Thank you!
Thank You Matt!
I like this channel. Straight to the point and waaaay useful. Thank you.
Mesh Frequency Thanks Mesh. BTW...Cool logo.
I'm going to try making some of these. I changed my garage lights over to LED a while back and put the old lights in the storage shed, guess I should head to the hardware store and get some better bulbs.
Yep. Do the research, You want color consistency and no flicker.
Kevin. Have you tried this DIY with the newer LED non ballasted shop lights? I have a smaller studio and was thinking of two 2 bulb 4 foot lights with frosted covers.
I have not. I’ve gone to green led lights. But it sounds like what you are talking about should work just fine.
@@BasicFilmmaker thank you. I loved the green lights but can't swing the $400 per right now.
For sure. You can check into green LED or bulbs and get the same effect.
Awesome low cost solution.
Chef Kendra Nguyen Thanks Chef! These make a lot more sense in my next video. :)
Can't wait to see how it all comes together!
Can you look at this on Amazon. It’s just 2 tubes each but would it work for a simple RUclips channel with a green screen?
Sunco Lighting 2 Pack LED Utility Shop Light, 4 FT, Linkable Integrated Fixture, 40W=260W, 5000K Daylight, 4100 LM, Frosted Lens, Surface/Suspension Mount, Pull Chain, Garage - ETL, Energy Star
I see no reason why not. amzn.to/3oLWtFy
...sssh...ugar lumps, fairy cakes and mistletoe, I felt that! Another excellent how to, thanks again for more superb advice :)
helgan35 LOL! Thanks Helgan!
Have you considered LED bulbs made for florescent light fixtures? I put them in my basement ceiling ficturws and they are so bright and cool that I only needed two bulbs in each of the four bulb bays. For your DIY Bank lights, they may be just about perfect.
For sure. 6 years ago LEDs were super expensive.
What is the metal part called that the Ballast comes in? I cannot find the metal that comes with the ballast. I can only just buy the ballast itself. Thank you and great vid by the way!
You get these with the ballast built in. It’s inside the lights. Just check if it has one or not and you’re good.
@@BasicFilmmaker okay, but where do I buy them. I cannot find them at lowes or home depot? Where did you buy yours at?
Great video - could you please update the links to product above? They have all expired (except the bracket). Thank you.
hello. thanks for this video it is very informative. though the links are no longer active. or the pages they go to aren't. just fyi. thanks again!
Thanks! I gave up a long time ago trying to keep updated links. They go bad so quickly, and it was becoming a career. 👍
Made a set of these lights, they work great! Love your videos, thanks for making them!
Thank you!!
Awesome video! So are the ballasts automatically included with the lights. The product description online don't seem to clarify that piece. Thanks so much for all you do, Kevin!!
Thanks! On fluorescent type lights, you just make sure they have a ballast built in so they don’t flicker and your good.
@@BasicFilmmaker Thanks again! I'm excited to give these a try!!
+BelieverFever great!!
+BelieverFever Let me know how it works out for you.
Will do! It might be a bit as I'm starting a new business 11/1 but will let you know when I do finally build them!
After fooling around with a few different clamp on work lights, this looks like the best solution for the type of videos I do, thanks for the "how to"!
Larned Justin You bet. Makes a lot more sense when you see the next video. These are almost always used behind the talent for green screen work or background lighting.
What about 6500K vs 5000K Daylight? 6500K will have a bit more blue to it, but does that really make a difference?
Giovanni Stefani is keep it near white as possible. When you try and pull a key, if you happen to be wearing something blue and you pull the key, you’re going also hit on the talent and remove anything that is blue. If you really want to do it well it 2020, get some green LEds
Thanks Kevin for the quick reply. Talk to me about green LED's . Do I really need 4-banks? I saw your other video on the C???-TV device with controller but they are not available. I do stage lighting for a sound company that I own but they are LED round on a trellis. Is there a requirement for green LED's (e.g. 5000K). LED's almost never equate to true kelvin, correct? Also, I'm assuming I should still shoot for 90+ CRI. My use for these is to do IT instructional videos and looking to have a data center as a backdrop. BTW, don't let anyone kid you about your long talks. I like to talk too. Sometimes too much ;).
@@GiovanniStefani This is such a minefield (not in a bad way) as tech had changed so much over the years. You can get the fluorescent lights and now they sell green tuns that slide over these. There are also great and cheap bank lights to do this if you look around. You just want white, green would make it easier to pull the key, I wouldn't go crazy on the kelvin values - I've seen some pull a key on some awful lighting, the key (no pun intended) is to spend as little time as possible messing around with the keying as possible. IF you really want to save yourself a ton of time, search online for an actual backdrop with a data center-ish printed on it. If you watch my latest videos when I am in the main studio, that brick wall is printed fabric. You could also do it by sending a print place a photo of what you want printed on a large sheet and you that, just make sure to give it some blur so it looks real on the camera. The real savings here is you don't have to mess around with the screen and keying, only need to deal with lighting the talent (you), and you take a ton of stuff out of the mix.
@@BasicFilmmaker When you refer to "green tuns", are those also known as "tube guards". Also, are there any good links to green LED florescent. Also, I found a Chauvet bank unit that has a Bluetooth controller that would work with my other Chauvet par can led lighting. It's around 40" in length (39.5" to be exact). The controller works on an Android/Apple device and can dim as well. A bit pricey @ ~$190 USD each, but still cheaper than the band lighting from video distributors. I ordered a Elgato green screen collapsible in an aluminum case for portability that measures 58 x 70". I use Techsmith Camtasia for doing 99% of our marketing/instructional videos.
LOL! Green tuns. Tubes. What you are proposing sounds right. Test, test, and retest. Always keep in mind you want to light the screen appropriately FIRST as evenly as you can and get the hotspots out as best you can where the talent will be. If the talent is always in the middle of the frame, don’t worry about anything outside that and mask it all out. You can always buy one whatever for each side, get it working, THEN you’ll know if you need more.
Fabulous, thank you! Exactly the guidance I needed to help me improve my music videos.
Thanks Wendell Live!!
Hi, great video very useful. Would this work with LED fluorescent lights? Looking at the spec it states no flicker although the output rated at daylight is 6500.
Regards
Lewis
Yeah I was wondering about that. I guess someone needs to just try them. I'm also thinking about buying more GVM style led panels, yes more expensive, but then you have more options adjusting temp of the lights.
In theory, yes, but there a couple of things to verify:
1. "No flicker" could mean no *visible* flicker. Or it could actually mean a dead-flat trace on a meter hooked to an oscilloscope. Make sure you know which it is.
2. DON'T FORGET THE CRI!!! LED's are notorious for bad color rendering. There are good ones, but the cheap ones are not. The reason is that a "white" LED is not actually white. It's a combination of a blue LED and a yellow phosphor. The phosphor works the same as it does in a fluorescent light: it absorbs short wavelengths of light and emits longer wavelengths. In a fluorescent tube, the phosphor absorbs ultraviolet and emits a wide range of visible light, while in a "white" LED, the phosphor is designed differently to absorb blue and emit a range of yellows. The combination of imperfectly absorbed blue (on purpose) plus yellow, gives the appearance of white, despite there not being much red, green, or violet. As you might expect, this is awful when you want to represent colors accurately, hence a low or unpublished CRI number.
That said, there are "high CRI" white LED's that have a bit more engineering behind them and are thus more expensive, but they have a different LED and a different phosphor, or multiples of each, that actually fill out the entire visible spectrum. THAT is what you're looking for. Insist on a CRI that is actually published for starters, then look for at least 90 (the best possible is direct sunlight at 100; incandescents are naturally around 99 without even trying), and an industry-standard test method.
@@aaronduerksen1378 Thank you, very helpful and something I had forgotten to check for so will do
Absolutely! CHeap does not get you good, and CRI may be important. I'm doing a fresh updated version of this soon using GREEN leds. Stay tuned.
Very nicely done. Thank you! Is there a reason you use fluorescent rather tian led lights? Seems to me led 's would be easier to build into a bank?
Just what was available at the time. No reason the right LEDs could be used.
I just saw this video and was wondering the same thing - replace the fluorescent bulbs with the LED replacements. I know some of these need to be rewired to take the ballast out of the circuit - I'm just wondering if the LED's end up flickering on screen? The LEDs come in a variety of color temperatures. For non-photo use, I'm planning on converting a few of mine in the utility room and see what the outcome is.
You mean for LEDs take the ballast out? Just buy LED light banks which are pretty cheap. If you mean the normal fluorescent, you WANT the ballast as that is what controls the light output and keeps them from flickering. The ballast is the electricity flow regulator. Those flickering fluorescent lights you see have a damaged or no ballast. Love to hear how your conversion goes Bill Karle. Thanks!
@@BasicFilmmaker thanks for the reply! Much appreciated. I have an led as my main room light so I wanted to keep the light even. I am not that clued up on led's, but do they Flicker on and off like fluorescents, causing strobe effects? Or do they have a constant output? I have been picking up some flickering on my camera and am not sure if it's the camera or led's. Thank you
@@paca_bill4863 yeah, Bill, if your banks are already installed then remove the ballast. But if you starting afresh def buy led banks, cheaper and easier
Love the wit. Subbed. I may have just found my weekend project.
Cool. Just check around online like at Amazon. In this day and age the cheaper LED strip lights are almost as cheap as the materials for this now.
Great video; do the Lithonia lights need to be hard wired to an open ended extension cord or do they come pre-wired?
The ones I got came with the metal enclosure and a cord about 6 foot long and included a ballast. I’m not an Electrical guy so I didn’t wanna play with wiring. So what I got everything came ready to go and I just added some lights.
@@BasicFilmmaker Ok thanks. I ordered the same light off Amazon. I'll find out soon enough. Thanks again for the video. Can't wait to put it to use!
👍👍👍
@@BasicFilmmaker Ended up having to go with different lights, but so far so good; I added a board to the back for stability and handles and will likely add barn doors that close around the front to add protection when they're not in use. Waiting on the green tube covers; will make a video documenting how I made them. Can I tag you in it?
Please do! Or just drop a link here to the video please. 👍
Great video thank you so much. Unfortunately the top 2 links for the lights are no longer valid. Could you add a new link?
Hey Kevin! GREAT name (also a Kevin). :) I keep updating these links and they keep changing them. Look for 32-Watt 5000K Natural Daylight Linear Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb, and Utilitech Linear Shop Light (Common: 4-ft).
@@BasicFilmmaker How about these: www.amazon.com/Limostudio-Lighting-Digital-Fluroescent-Barndoor/dp/B00C7XVFIY/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1547656977&sr=1-4&keywords=bank+lights
Double dippin on those comments, eh? (joke - I don't care). :)
@@BasicFilmmaker sorry, I was replying to your reply. Once again, thank you!
Really. Don't care - just joking around. Thanks for watching commenting. :)
What shop light was that you never said
Too long ago, sorry!
I would love to see a redo of this video using LEDs! LED Lighting in general has become much more affordable since this video.
I did another video where I used LED lights, and although they were quite expensive, I think you could do the same thing that video covered using green LED lights which is the way to go. They’re quite cheap now and some googling will get you what you want.
Great video. I used them and the video came out wonderful... But if I wanted to the fluorescent tubes as single light sources without the bank housing. Will the ballast still work effectively with extended wiring. Thanks
I would think so, haven't tried it. I am definitely not an electrician or electrical type person. :)
Hi Kevin, thanks again for this great content. I bought a pair of shoplights. They include an electronic certified ballast. I shouldn’t need a new one, right?
MCI Consultores You shouldn’t. Mine worked fine, but I never know if I’m not using the exact one you have.
Sure! Thanks again sensei
Sensei. LOL! Thanks!
I'm consistently pleased with your even evaluation of techniques.
I've actually spoken to (shot down) the inventor of Kinos, and this is definitely the way to go if you don't need to have the added necessity of 'show,' and know what you're doing.
kurt lindner Thank Kurt. I don't mean to shoot down these pro lighting manufacturers. I do however, know that a lot of people watching this show don't have the kind of budgets that people who use these lights do, so hopefully this alternative will help.
***** You're right, I may have incorrectly phrased my meaning with, "shot down;" with the Kino thing, it was merely, "you're profit margin is excessive."
On real sets, people just want stuff that works without overly thinking about it, and everyone knows already, which I can appreciate.
For sure. And I'm good with "shot down." i do know these Kino lights are reliable as hell, and I can tell you, you drop or mishandle these DIY lights, and they're toast. Of course, you could just buy and build like 30 of these DIY lights for the same price and not give a crap. :)
Hi Kevin, great video as always. I was wondering, in terms of lumens, how much brightness would usually be required for adequately lighting a green screen? I understand lumens are probably the best way of comparing different types of lights (I have learnt a lot from an earlier video of yours on lighting in general). Also, these days cheap LED batten lights are readily available. Could they make a good substitute for fluorescent tubes? Many thanks in deed.
You can use any lights. Lumens? Just use ANY lights, adjust ISO between 100 to say 1200 and go. You'll know if you need more light.
Many thanks for your response@@BasicFilmmaker
So I went to Home Depot to check out thier shop lights. 89 bucks for a 4 footer and the fluorescent tubes are thin. UT it does hold 4 of them. But, while there they also sell the led shop lights. Not made of many tiny LEDs. Rather. It's one large flat panel LED. VERY large. Yet cheaper than the fluorescent unit by almost half. What say you about that?
I haven't tried LED yet. Best recommend would be GREEN lights - LED or not.
@@BasicFilmmaker Green Flourescent tubes?
Yes - more recent development and more available. If you use separate lights for the screen, you can get green bulbs or LEDs and they light the screen with green, and Voila!
I think there's a video for you to do about green florescent lights. There are no videos about using green florescent lights to create green screen wall. Can you do one?
Yep. Thinking about another simple green screen video so it's up to date. That other one is many years old.
great information, I was trying your links for the lights but they no longer work.
I almost made a career out of updating these links as they change a lot. Gave up!
Kevin - The Basic Filmmaker lol i understand do you happen to have the name or model of the lights?
They don’t make them anymore. I think the lights were simply plug in shop lights with a built in ballast so they don’t flicker. Nowadays, I would think you could get LED lights for about the same price and less hassle.
This is GOLD
Thanks! 👍
Need some cheap bank lights? These may help.
I would put a nut on the light stand to tighten the lights down. Although it would still have some tension on the bracket, you could probably have to "L" brackets mounted on a sheet of metal and either drill a hole or mount another bracket and tighten it on the light stand. :)
Great video... I recently put together a similar low cost set-up using those round aluminum work lights (found at your local home center type store); I like the set-up in this video better though, and may add a couple of these in the future! Thanks for posting!
Great idea Nate. As I said, there's all sorts of thing you could do to this thing if you have the time. I went as basic as I could to show it could be done for my next video.
+Super Sunday The price on what? The bank lights? Yes,that's the comparison link. The other cheap DIY lights to do this are in the description.
Great. Thank Kevin.
You bet!
Another great video :)
Holy crap.
what are those quad fluro holders called?
Such a simple task made difficult in australia
They are basically shop lights or garage overhead lights.
Hey Max did you end up finding a solution? I'm in Australia as well and nobody here seems to know what I'm talking about when I show them. Been to Jaycar, Bunnings, Beacon Lighting, etc.
Cheers.
@@cinestudiosaus I bought a studio light set up from ebay. Fairly inexpensive
@@AiMotivateofficial ah awesome! You wouldn't happen to have a link would you 😁
@@cinestudiosaus Im not going to endorse anyone on ebay. But look up studio lighting and you will find one. Also I use a cotton grade green screen and it works well. with those lights. I passed it through the wash once when I bought it and hung it out to dry and it removed all the creases. Dont hang it in the sun. Make sure its full shade
They sell you the right lms and K.
And get it from an Aussie located shop. Some delays in postage but it all gets there :D
Earned a sub from me - great work!
Awesome, thank you!
Your Lowes links are broken now :( Can you pretty please update them? Thanks for the great vid!
Yep. I stopped updating as it became a career every two days. Nowadays, you can get LED lights (no flicker) and the whole deal for pretty cheap. They work too.
The link in broken...any way excellent idea
Thanks! I couldn't track the ever changing links anymore, and in 2020, LEDs work just as well.
Hi Basic Filmmaker, just came across this video from your Green Light Basics. NO wonder my Adobe editing skills get inundated with extra work, I wasn't lighting up my subject and green screen properly! Your video is a few years old but I know you come out here on the regular to post comment replies. Do you have any updates on equipment picks? Some of your links don't work and Lowes's says its unavailable... Please help! Mainly the shop light.
Hey James. Yes - I gave up trying to keep track of those links, as they were changing weekly, and it was becoming a career. :) Shop around, and you'll find something - maybe even LEDs. The thing you want is a consistent color and no flicker.
🎬🎥🔥
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I go to a local studio, not very fancy, and the owner makes a big deal out of the type of lights he uses. He says his lights are 400 Hz flicker which is much higher than domestic lights. It is not clear what the "ballast" does on your lights but are you reaching up to the higher frequencies?
The ballast simply controls the electrical flow to the lights and makes its one stable signal, which is where flicker comes from. I don’t shoot high frame rate videos, usually 24, 30 or 60 at the most, so no flicker for me.
How hot do those bank lights get? I feel like I would I start sweating with those near me lol. Great DIY. I really might have to consider this option.
Michael Warbux Really not hot at all. Their main purpose is to light a green screen or background, and those are behind you.
I went to my local Lowe's and found everything I needed. I spent about $150 to make both lights. The LED panel lights were about the same cost but the one fluorescent bulb puts out more then half the entire light of the LED panel.
Nice. Those should work well then.
I had to move the panels 4-5ft in from of the screen and angle them in to remove the hotspots. I thought the panels would be on the sides of the screen but it get hotspots on the edges. Am I doing something wrong?
@@HotloadsTTV leds are spotty
Man, that was awesome. TY.
Thanks again Don!
Hi！I'm Davide from Milan (Italy). I'm watching your tuts with enthusiasm as I'm approaching DIY green screen film-making for fun and a commercial project for myself. Congrats on the whole youtube project, very well done, instructive and entertaining!
I gave up DIYing the green screen and the 3 points lighting system as in Italy it's way cheaper to buy them on Amazon, but the light banks are on the way as per your tutorial. However, I'm finding difficult, very difficult, to find the right flo bulbs and the housing hosting 4 bulbs. So the question is:
1) Would one 150cm housing per side hosting 2 52W bulbs at 4000K / 82or85 CRI do the trick? My hair color is blond and I read that a CRI below 90 could render yellowish halos around the talent and cause problems with the edges and hair of the subject filmed. However at the same time I also read that a CRI of 82 is already in the range of white /sun light. Unfortuately in Italy flo-bulbs can either be found at 4000K or 6700K and online no one is offering differently...
2) I would be filmino in a small environment on a 3 meters wide green screen, and therefore the banks would be very next to the green screen. With such lighing setup, would the floor banks also be needed if I want to shoot head to feet?
I thank you in advance.
Ciao,
Davide
Davide Pasini Hello David. The CRI stand for Color Rendering Index. That's how ell the color renders based on the K value. In other words, the lower the CRI, the more variability. The values you are referring to are the K values. 5000-5500K is like a white flash, 5500K to 6500K is like daylight (and a bit bluer) and so on, 4000-5000K is a bit yellower and so on down. If all you can get is say 4000K, then you can just adjust the K value on your camera to suit. The above values are just an estimate, and there are many differing opinions on this. This link may help: photographyelement.com/intro-to-white-balance/ and again, you can just adjust the K value on your camera to change the white balance so it looks correct.
I’m late to the game and loving the content in your channel. Wish all the links for this light kit worked though. Either way, keep up the amazing work!!!!!
Do you have the part number for the shop light?
I quit trying to update the link long ago as it was becoming a daily thing. Search for shop lights, better yet, in 2021 go with LEDs as they are a lot cheaper now.
Very cool thanks
You bet
Do you have recent links for where to buy the stuff? All the ones in the descriptions don't come up when you click on em.
I quit updating them. They came in Nd out every day and it was becoming a career in itself. Just gone or amazon or whatever and you find them. They’re just shop lights.
What about LED shop lights as an alternative to fluorescent?
Check the colour tempertaure and lumen light output to see if they meet or exceed the lamps Kevin recommended. The strength or force of light from a lamp is measured in lumens, not watts! Watts is the amount of electrical energy drawn by the lamps, NOT light output. Read labels carefully.
Cheers from Montreal.
@Chuck Bricker @Frederic Hore True that Frederic and thanks for chiming in. When this video was made LEDs were SUPER expensive. I think now it might be more cost effective to buy something than build them, not sure.
Hey, Kevin. Thanks for the information. The bulbs you mentioned don't seem to be available anymore, so I looked around a bit. What do you think about using GE Daylight T8 LED tubes instead? 1800lm and 120 CRI. 6500k, though. Is that too blue? I'll reply to this with a link to the GE product page. (They're available at Lowes)
www.gelighting.com/led-bulbs/g13/ge-led-daylight-32w-replacement-t8
They should be fine. Really you're looking at having a smooth lit screen, rather than specific K values, although that could be a bit much. Search around and you can find GREEN tubes that fit over the lights, which REALLY makes all the difference. And yeah, I gave up on updating the light links, it was becoming a career for me as they seemed to change weekly. :)
@@BasicFilmmaker Thank you for the reply! Yeah, I can imagine the links change too often. So, you recommend a green tube? Am I mistaken or did you originally recommend magenta gel for the green screen?
@@telluwut5674 The magenta gel would be placed on the hair light up and behind you. The hair light (or rim light) makes a nice light around you, looks good, and pulls you off the background more. For green screen, the magenta gel cancels out some of the green spill that is common when doing these, and makes pulling yourself out of the green easier. I haven't used these green tubes, but I HAVE used green lights which turned out awesome, same idea.
@@BasicFilmmaker Okay! Thank you for the info! Magenta for the hair light, and I'll give the green tubes a try for the green screen.
Hi. Great video. Thank you. Any reason I could not use LED tube lights for this project? If so, is there a color temp you would recommend? I believe you mentioned 5500k in the video. I would be using these for green screen lighting. Thanks!
Yes, in 2020 for sure. You could even get green LEDs and it would be better.
Could this be done by hanging 1 or 2 lights from the ceiling for a semi-permanent install for streaming?
I don't see why not. Make sure you test it before permanently fixing it.
amazing!! THANK-YOU!!
Thank you too!
Perfect for renters who want to work on unpaid passion projects!
For sure!
going to try! Thanks!
Let me know how it goes!
The DIY bank lights that I use have an additional switch allowing me to turn off half of the bulbs. I don't use this option as much as I expected. I tend to scrim them with window screen instead. Great episode as always.
Thanks man...great tip on the screen scrim! Note for others...a scrim is a screen, cloth or other (non-combustible) material put over lights to diffuse them i some way. :)
Here is a bit more info for the readers. Window screen will cut the intensity of the light by 1 or more stops depending on the density of the screen you get. It will not effect the other qualities of the light. Another options is to use a 20X24 inch ND gel, cut into two 10X24 inch strips. Diffusion material will also cut the intensity of light, but will also soften the light a bit. Placing shiny aluminum tape on the cover behind the bulbs will give you a bit more intensity. To control the directionality of the light, place a grid (egg crate) used with drop ceiling fixtures in front of the light. Chrome and flat black work best.
DIYCameraGuy That's cool. Thanks! Now how about a video on what stops are, and what ND gel is. 9 months since the last video! 1200 subscribers! (This is a joke, I know you're freakin busy with a project). :)
Holy crap, I have 1200 subs. When did that happen? The feature is coming along well. I have a little behind the scenes footage shot. Now all I need is a clone to go to work for me so I can get some editing done for the channel. Thanks for the friendly nudge though, it helps. I am a little nervous about lighting the night scene this weekend, interior day for night. It is on a second story with no outside access to the windows. I have a plan lets hope it works.
Very cool. I hope you're BTSing this stuff - love to see it. Good luck!
Excellent & interesting video. Although I don't intend to use them in near future but I can see amount of hard work and editing on this project, appreciated.
Thanks Henry!
Is it possible to get an updated links for lights? Those lights are no longer available.
These have changed sooooo many times and I've updated the links - I can't keep u wit it as the ones I link get sold out, and we're back again.. Just look for the bulbs I mention, on Amazon, at Lowes, Home Depot or wherever you would get these. Make sure they have a good CRI value, and you should be good. They last a long time...I still have the ones I bought when I made this video.
Do you still use these lights or have you gone with something else? Also would led lights be better now?
I use them when necessary. Yes, do your research - LED lights would work fine as long as it's consistent.
With the newer LED light lights, do they work as well as the fluorescent lights?
Yep. This is an older video, and since then LEDs have dropped dramatically. I would check into already built LED lights like these and it may cost less than building it.
would led shop lights work? they seem to be at a lower price here so im wondering
Yep. At the time I made this video, LED lights were super expensive.
This may be a silly question. Can I use LED light tubes or do they have to be the same type of light that you showed in the video? Greetings.
Sure! Make sure they don't flicker though.
@@BasicFilmmaker Very well! I will try to find the
Utilitech Linear Shop Light, but Lowes no longer dispatch XD. I'm from Mexico so I'll see how I manage it haha, but thank you very much for the information I admire your work so much you have no idea how much it helps me in my recording projects.
Thanks José!
Are there any cheaper options than Kinos in 2019, besides building them? I guess what I'm saying is I'm not too cheap to buy decent lights, but Kinos are too much for me. I'd love something cheaper than Kinos, but that I don't have to put together, and with a built-in dimmer and barn doors.
For sure! Shop around - Kinos are super expensive, the equivalent is over $1000 for one bank. I'm not going to recommend what I would find. Let me know if you find something that works - interested.
I apologize if you've already answered this question, and I just can't find it anywhere, but what kind of light stands are those and how much do they hold? I'm able to make these bank lights with the links you provided but I'm scared to buy light stands that can't support them. Thanks!
+Sierra Nelson Hey Sierra. The one I mounted them on were part of a green screen light package that was very cheap. As long as one of the legs is pointed in the direction of the weight you should be fine, but, that being said, they lights are not pro lights, and do not take any abuse. If these are just going to sit in a studio set up they should be fine though.
Yeah I plan to set them up and just lock it all down. Almost none of my videos require transportable lights. Thank You! Your channel is extremely helpful to me.
+Sierra Nelson Thanks Sierra.
Hi, thanks again for this DIY bank lights video and the other one on green screen. I got the Lowes shop lights (T8) you suggested, but they have only 4100K or 6500K T8 tubes available, and their CRI is in the low 80's range. The lighting set I am using uses 5500K CFL bulbs. Should I get the 4100K or 6500K tubes for the bank lights? Thanks!
Found that Home Depot has 5000K T8 but the CRI is 82. Is low CRI for bank lights going to matter? Thanks. www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-4-ft-T8-32-Watt-Natural-Light-Linear-Fluorescent-Light-Bulb-10-Pack-205047/100613495
Interesting question Leo. I just haven't used low CRI bulbs as I don't want to mess with it. As far as the K value, I don't think it will matter much, as you will be pulling the lit part, the green part, out anyway, AS LONG AS the light don't spill onto you, the talent. As far as CRI, again, I haven't tried it. I would be worried that a low CRI might offer differing colors on the green screen, and make it harder to pull a key, but again, haven't tried it, as I like to be safe with this and not battle keying in my editor. I would either find a higher CRI, or just go with the lower CRI knowing that you'll find out there aren't any problems, or, knowing that you may have to replace them if you do have to much color indifference.
Thanks. I went ahead buying the 5000K T8 with CRI 82. Likely the green will not be as faithfully rendered as with the fluorescent tubes with CRI 90, but as long as it is evenly green, hopefully it will work alright. I will give you update later!
Do you have an update. Im having this same dilemma
The CRI 82 works fine for my application. I figured that how the green is being rendered as is not that important, as long as it is consistent (so the background can be removed consistently).
Can you update the material list. The Shop light alone is 126eur. Are there Led solutions. ?
I keep updating these links and they keep changing them. Look for 32-Watt 5000K Natural Daylight Linear Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb, and Utilitech Linear Shop Light (Common: 4-ft). For LED look for 4 foot LED bank lights.
Basic Filmmaker b
Love it! Awesome content! Can't wait to see what else you guys come out with.
Bomb Diggity Thanks Bomb. No guys - just me. :)
oh and do you have any alternative bulbs to choose from? seems that the ones i'm finding online are sold in cases of 30. i only need 8 right?
Yep. Eight. Look around. Their availability changes daily.
Great video, but the lights are gone. Shop lights are going all LED. They presumably flicker? How about an updated version of this with LED shop lights?
In 2020, it's nearly as chea just to purchase LED lights, and they work fine.
@@BasicFilmmaker Thanks - I definitely was looking at it, but I wasn't sure if regular LED tubes flicker.
Depends on the lights. I’m referring to buying already made LED lights...so cheap nowadays.
Wow awesome, I remember seeing somebody make a video about these DIY, but I was scared to do them because he was talking about how you have to get a ballast and wire it. I didnt want to mess with it. I'm going to go order this stuff right now. Thanks man!!
Scuba James Awesome Scuba. In my next video their purpose will become more clear. Buckhead Live - nice stuff!
***** Hey thanks man, Yea I just started messing with different shutter speeds, and I really like the effect. Can't wait for the next video!!
LEDs are steadily replacing fluorescent bulbs. Is there a similar DYI build for LEDs?
I don't know of one off-hand. It's gotten to the point where it's easier to purchase what you need than to DIY it in my opinion.
Thank you!
You are quite welcome!!
How can I determine if the ballast is electronic? If is doesn't specifically say electronic ballast are there indicators? I'm about to drive up to Lowes/Home Depot and look at the shop light they have.
It will say it has a ballast in them, or just ask.
Please can you at least tell us the brand name of the black shop light fixture. I understand updating the links is a lot of work but we need u
They’re Not available anymore. Try searching Amazon they have plenty of lights that you can check out as long as they have a ballast of the cord you’re good. I would highly suggest you check out LED lights as now they are a lot cheaper.