Facing sudden changes to your video shoot schedule, how do you adapt the lighting setup for a commercial?

1 Quick Assessment

Upon facing a schedule change, promptly assess the new conditions. You might find yourself shooting at a different time of day or in a location with varying natural light. Understand the impact this has on your existing lighting plan. If you're now shooting indoors instead of outdoors, for example, you'll need to compensate for the lack of natural light. Quickly determine what equipment you have on hand and whether it can be repurposed to suit the new circumstances. The ability to quickly evaluate and adapt your lighting setup is essential to maintain the visual continuity of your commercial.

2 Flexible Solutions

Flexibility in your approach is key when adapting to sudden schedule changes. Consider using versatile lighting equipment that can easily be adjusted or moved. Diffusers and reflectors can be particularly useful, as they allow you to manipulate existing light sources to fit your new setup. If you're now dealing with harsh midday sun instead of a soft morning light, using a diffuser can soften the shadows and reduce contrast. Be prepared to improvise with what you have, potentially even using unconventional items to bounce or block light as needed.

3 Creative Workarounds

Creativity is your ally when it comes to adjusting your lighting setup on the fly. If you've lost the golden hour light and need to simulate it, think about how you can recreate that warm glow with the lights you have. Maybe you can use gels to change the color temperature of your LED panels. If the schedule shift means you're now filming at night, consider how you can use practical lights within the scene to add depth and interest. Look at the environment and think about how you can use it to your advantage, even if it wasn't part of the original plan.

5 Prioritize Key Scenes

When time is of the essence, prioritize lighting for key scenes first. Identify which shots are most crucial to the commercial's message and ensure they receive the most attention. This might mean allocating more time to perfect the lighting for these scenes, even if it comes at the expense of less critical shots. It's better to have a few well-lit, impactful scenes than a commercial full of mediocre ones. This focused approach helps you make the most of your limited time and resources.

6 Embrace the Unexpected

Lastly, embrace the unexpected changes as an opportunity to get creative and possibly improve upon your original plans. Sometimes a shift in schedule can lead to a serendipitous moment that enhances the commercial. Adaptability is a hallmark of experienced video professionals, and being open to new ideas can lead to unique and memorable visuals. While it's important to strive for consistency, don't be afraid to let these new conditions inspire a fresh perspective on your project.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?