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Hi all,

shooting my first film early next year. Intend the location to be a hotel room, have a model lined up for the work. I don't want the film to look professional, in the sense that I've never liked porn that is too perfect. Want a kind of amateurish look to it.

My question is this. I intend to shoot the film on a standard digital camcorder, but am unsure as to lighting requirements. Will I get away with a couple of well placed lamps with the clips, (the kind you can buy from B&Q, Argos etc that can be clipped onto wherever), or will I be forced to buy a couple of so called professional lights? The film is not for release.

If you think I need to go the professional lighting way, any tips on where sells 2nd hand equipment of this type, who also do mail order?

Any tips appreciated.

Dave

Why not just film some footage around your house which will not be disimilar too a hotel room and play it back and see what you think - it can often be the camera as much as the lighting ?

I've been in sessions filmed without any lights at all, just the natural light coming in through a window. Of course in winter that means a lunchtime shoot.

I've done shoots where there is just one light, and hotel lamps etc provide the softer fill.

That said a camera mounted light for the closeups really does make a difference.

PS , if you need a male for your film, do think of me:-)

Paul

If perchance anyone ever came to me and asked how to go about making a REALLY CRAP tedious porn film I would say "Well, the first thing you'll need is A HOTEL ROOM, and preferably one of those corporate, sterile, no-character Travelodge type ones. Another essential ingredient is that the protagonists cast off all their, most likely, lacklustre togs within two minutes of the camera rolling. The next vital ingredient of a REALLY CRAP, boring shag video is that the protagonists should then adjourn to the lacklustre corporate bed and maintain an intertwined reclining position for the remaining 58 minutes of the movie. Crap lighting, hose piping camera and plenty of zooming can only heap icing on the cake of this veritable masterpiece of dire erotica."

P R Mann

Just because I'm saying I want to make a film that looks like an amateur shoot, it doesn't have to follow the film will therefore be crap.

Secondly, you know nothing of the project so aren't in a position to talk about who'll be doing what when.

Thirdly, I have experience of using cameras so wasn't intending to zoom in and out 100 times.

Fourthly, I didn't say a travelodge was on the agenda, or anywhere like that. Believe it or not there are 100's of classy hotels out there .... you've just obviously never stayed in any.

Finally, for those who are offering advice, many thanks, it's appreciated. As for P R Mann .... well ......

Most modern digital camcorders work pretty well down to low light levels - however a bit of extra light is generally needed in order that you can actually see what is going on...

For those on a tight budget I recommend a camera head light - Jessops do some for about ?30 - make sure you get an extra battery though.

You can buy simple industrial lights from B&Q for about ?30 a pair on a simple tripod stand. These work well without having to go to the expense of buying professional red-head kits.

If you can, I recommend filming with two cameras - that way you can get the same action from two angles - this is much better when it comes to editing.

I was trained as a cameraman (ITV) and would be happy to help you out on a shoot if diary permits. Let me know here if you want an extra technical hand (non-appearing) here and I'll give you my email address. Incidentally I might be able to help others out at no charge (I also have my own full digital shooting kit with a numer of cameras for free....)

Best of luck.

> If you can, I recommend filming with two cameras - that way
> you can get the same action from two angles - this is much
> better when it comes to editing.

I agree with the above but it makes it MUCH harder to edit - for a first shoot (especially one for your own use) I would stick with one camera.

Jason

Give it your best shot happy, thats all you can do, and if it,s for your own use, doesn,t matter, no critics, so fine.
Take no notice of PR Mann,he doesn,t really exist!

Do yu require another model. im new to this.

julie

Hey, you do sound a bit tetchy for someone who's "Always Happy."

I was just sharing, in my amusing, and yes, sometimes-cruel fashion, my vast insight into erotic video making, promotion, distribution and retailing gained over the past decade.

Of course I don't know the full details of the project and it doesn?t follow that your film is bound to be crap - it's just that in my experience the vast majority of those that are located in hotel rooms are.

As forumites would expect a P R Mann of my calibre and legendary porno success has stayed in many a grand and opulent hotel. However, those instances have become increasingly rare since.... well, since ordinary Joe's stated buying digital video cameras and deciding to make a porn movie.

Don't take it to heart Always Happy. I wasn't having a go at you personally, just crap porno in general. Good luck with the shoot and be Happy!

P R Mann