How To Light Cinematic Small Spaces | Filmmaking Tutorial

In the second installment of our "How To Light" series, we discuss how to create compelling images when filming in small spaces. It's important to understand the limitations of the spaces we're in and how we can use techniques and tools to overcome them. Creating visual contrast in our frames, utilizing the 180° rule, and leaning just as heavily on negative fill as we do on light sources all work together to build wonderfully lit scenes.
Watch Episode 1: • How To Light A Cinemat...
This video is not about the gear but the concepts used to create the overall look. You can produce this look with tons of different light and camera configurations. That said, if you're interested in what gear I use, here are the links.
// GEAR IN THE BAR SCENE //
Gemini 1x1 Soft bhpho.to/35cWHgy
3' Lantern bhpho.to/3AUxXaD
2x3 Solid Flag bhpho.to/3BRXHFs
C-Stand bhpho.to/2WZYipo
RED Komodo bhpho.to/3f4RgHe
WC Komodo Accessory Kit (Pro) bhpho.to/2OUwgYM
SmallHD Monitor (current gen) bhpho.to/3n6xzCO
Teradek Wireless (current gen) bhpho.to/3n8DyXK
WC Mattebox bhpho.to/3zVUnZr
Anton Bauer V-Mount bhpho.to/3jT6Uav
Duvetyne Roll bhpho.to/3jQSY0I
// GEAR I USE TO MAKE YT VIDEOS //
Panasonic GH5S bhpho.to/2NGupTI
Panasonic G85 bhpho.to/3dJJsal
Canon EF 16-24mm f/2.8 L II bhpho.to/2UfCXU0
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II bhpho.to/37scgB3
Metabones Speed Booster XL bhpho.to/2GqiWU8
PolarPro 82mm Vari ND Filter bhpho.to/38qltdd
//TABLE OF CONTENTS //
0:00 Hotel Room Scene
0:42 Intro
0:59 The Approach
4:02 Light 1: Key Light
4:59 Light 2: Negative Fill (not a light)
6:43 Light 3: Background Light
7:25 Light 4: Practical Light
8:37 Light Bright
// THINGS TO KNOW //
Follow me on TikTok - / garrett.sammons
Let's connect on IG - / garrettsammons
The music I use fm.pxf.io/garrett
// #howto #light #filmmaking //
*This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own. Some of the links listed above are affiliate link. It costs nothing extra to use and helps me create new videos.
My name is Garrett. I am a full-time commercial producer, part-time film professor, and avid whiskey enthusiast living in Metro Detroit. I began on KZbin to help bridge the technical and financial gap filmmakers face by giving away the same content I talk about in my classrooms. Learn tricks of the trade, discover new gear, stay up with filmmaking trends, dive into how I pull off cinematic looks, and so much more.

[@garrettsammons]

What's a scene you'd like to learn how to light?

[@user-oc6mr1jr6s]

a small bathroom, Model in tub and make it cinematic

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

I liked your lighting sample. It was very BBC Drama. I've noticed the British light like this.

[@garrettsammons]

The Crown, Downton Abbey, and loads of British shows use side key lighting with negative fill. It’s a good dramatic look.

[@nofalfilms]

This is really what I need, real situation analysis not just theoretical tutors. Thank you!

[@garrettsammons]

Happy to help!

[@sebastienblanchetiere1323]

Awesome video!

[@smackdaddy9802]

for all the lighting tutorials I've watched, the results you've created are the best I've seen. reminds me of a Fincher film. cheers!

[@garrettsammons]

Thanks so much! That’s absolutely the look I was going for. Mindhunter was the inspiration for the look.

[@theliateko]

so good and helpful, thank you!

[@soymaxv]

Once again, a wonderful video! Thanks a lot, Garrett :D

[@writerprimse8866]

love the tips ,, thank you

[@acedia4453]

51% of cinematography is the subject in front of the lens. -Roger Deakins. Very interesting subject used here.

[@chaplinesque111]

Dude this was awesome! You're a great educator, very thorough - (you don't miss a beat as most do). Great shoot/end result too. Cheers!

[@garrettsammons]

Happy to help!

[@O.W_Films]

Thank you, I am currently filming in an old building basement an action short and is challenging asf. Very helpful tips.

[@videocasetteTV]

Very straightforward that's awesome, keep posting like this

[@marcelovsthemonsters]

Love it man!!

[@anthonyrock5039]

This looks great! World love to see this one in 4k at least though to be able to appreciate it more.

[@nonsomichael3321]

Thank you for this…its so insightful

[@mribi]

Thanks, I’m loving your lighting videos!

[@garrettsammons]

So glad you’re enjoying them! More coming for sure

[@benfergusonishere]

Great video Garrett! Very helpful and practical. Looking forward to more!

[@garrettsammons]

Thanks Ben 🤙

[@nile2227]

My favorite KZbinr!

[@treysarmento2388]

Loved what you did with the grade, light bright all the way! Great stuff keep them coming! Oh and that DP looks pretty sweet!🤪

[@garrettsammons]

He really looks like he knows what he’s doing, doesn’t he?

[@BayBoyFilms]

Thanks G! I think I found my KZbin Mentor 👍

[@dushyantbhatt9345]

Really beautifully lit,...

[@CrescentGallery]

wow you're good bro!

[@r2fx]

Awesome! Great explanation of how and why to use these lights. Car lighting would be what I am always interested in. Thanks again for an awesome video

[@garrettsammons]

Car interior lighting coming up! Make sure to hit that bell so you know when it drops.

[@r2fx]

@@garrettsammons awesome man! Thank you! I recently did a car scene at night and use a small cube light. It was ok for the shot, but, not as cinematic as I would’ve liked it to be.

[@none-ng4cl]

nice! Thanks

[@owenacevedolara8850]

Thanks for the video 🙌🏼

[@garrettsammons]

You bet!

[@innatemusic]

Good stuff, bro!

[@garrettsammons]

Appreciate that Nathan! 🤙

[@TheDurrie]

Awesome video mate! Would love to see you upload in 4k so we can appreciate your work even more! 🙌

[@garrettsammons]

I occasionally upload the UHD clips to Vimeo for better viewing. Should I make that a standard practice?

[@gaarax0x]

Wide shots

[@anthonyrock5039]

Definitely. Can you upload this one in 4k? ​@@garrettsammons

[@derik_niez]

This was fantastic, thanks for the thorough breakdown and awesome scene.

[@garrettsammons]

Happy to help! Glad you found it useful.

[@derik_niez]

Your videos are always helpful! I like that you used a phone call as a way to add more depth/mystery to the scene, very practical.

[@garrettsammons]

It’s a great way to get model posing without having to script out a whole scene

[@derik_niez]

That makes so much sense

[@adeadolfo]

Very enjoyable and educative piece! I missed some info about color temperature (both for the lights and camera wb). Thank your and keep them coming!!

[@garrettsammons]

Good point! Walls were a warm white, light was set to 5600k, and I can’t exactly remember the color meter reading, but it would be neutral for sure.

[@adeadolfo]

@@garrettsammons Thanks for the quick reply!! :D

[@obarovft314]

i wish you did a tutorial to show us how you graded it

[@fgzy123]

Thanks for the video Garrett. With my screen brightness all the way up, I noticed there was a lot of banding both in the scene you're speaking about, and the talking head. Is that because of compression when exporting for youtube mixed with added compression from youtube, or do the particular cameras you used for this have an issue with banding?

[@garrettsammons]

Hi Felisha! That has to be something on the viewing end (compression, type of monitor, etc) because there isn’t any banding in the images on my end. So sorry about that! That’s gotta be distracting.

[@ajsevents6527]

Great segment. Just wondering what color temperature do you choose for your lighting?

[@garrettsammons]

5600k

[@corwingarber]

Great vid -- legit

[@garrettsammons]

Happy to help!

[@smackdaddy9802]

Who made the intro and youtube icon logo at 00:37!?

[@darkechoproductionsllc9559]

Great video as why didnt you have that practical on? I would have used a b7c aperture to use as movited lighting. Good job

[@garrettsammons]

Great question! We had a b7c in the fixture and played with it on and off. The shape of the b7c cast light in an odd way and the shade was half illuminated. We decided the look was more distracting than anything so we 86’d it entirely.

[@srijan1123]

How to shoot in natural light?

[@garrettsammons]

Providing a video on this topic soon 🤙

[@junesdreamseller]

I wish you used the practical light that was in the frame to motivate your key light. When we don’t show a window or practical in the shot the lighting looks fake and unmotivated. But overall nice use of space. Great Video

[@garrettsammons]

Thanks Junes! We mucked about with the practical but couldn’t make it work in the space without drawing too much attention to it. I hear what you’re saying and completely agree.

[@bluerabbit1236]

Light source doesn't have to be realistic 100% in every single shot for the rest of your life and you don't have to show the light source at all times. The audience isn't stupid. The actor is in a hotel room which is a familiar space and the audience can put two and two together by imagining a bedside lamp out of the frame. No one's gonna say "Wait! Where is that light coming from now???" And if you audience is thinking about where the lights are coming from rather than watching the story unfold then you have much bigger problems to worry about than realistic lighting.