How to Make a DIY Overhead Light - Controllable, Cinematic Bounce

[@PaulChristianMedina]

I honestly feel that your channel is so underrated. Your videos are so in depth and actually shows how it is done and how it looks in cam. I hope your videos get more attention cos they’re really amazing!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much Paul, I really do appreciate your kind words! :) KZbin is a difficult one is all I will say haha!

[@richardevans8480]

What he said.

[@PaulChristianMedina]

@@RobEllisCinematographer it is tough out here and yet you’re doing so much for us small and aspiring filmmakers to start our own journey and that we greatly appreciate 😄

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks guys!! I appreciate your appreciation! And I'm so happy you're getting so much from my videos 😄

[@cubul32]

It's a small pool of people that are interested in this.

[@joeyparma5193]

Love the choice in calm music to so peaceful to watch the whole video and just absorb the information

[@AllThingsFilm1]

The benefits of being subscribed to your channel are that older videos like this come up in my feed. This is an excellent DYI solution. Something I can build once, and use over and over for all of my present and future projects. Thank you so much.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Happy to hear my older videos are popping up in your feed, that's great! And glad you're getting something out of them too! :D

[@VetroPanther]

I was skeptical at the start, not realizing this was a bounce, but instead thinking it was going to be another janky way to hang a light, like most videos would show. I should have expected better coming from you though, this is genius. I love the simplicity of this, and it allows for a much more minimalistic lighting kit!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much!! It's definitely not a perfect solution, but it does help to keep things simple and if you work around the positioning of the floor light it is very, very useful! And as I mentioned in the video (although it's a very specific situation), shooting someone in a bath of water is something I've struggled with a few times and this totally solves it :)

[@darthvini]

Dont quit Rob. You are a good one.

[@sirrogerdeakins4117]

Neat little contraption innit? I’ll have to try it sometime…

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Empire of Light, lit entirely with Rob's DIY canvas box 😂

[@walkmotopov]

Your lesson is mesmerizing and high-quality. Dramatic and informative. Great editing!

[@boujeetv256]

I still wonder who on earth dislikes such a video What a master class

[@mrmohantyexperiments]

You're a living legend mate. Ain't nobody like you Rob.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha I am just a person! But I appreciate your kind words, thank you so much! :)

[@salvadorrodriguez9330]

This man deserves a million subs instantly, quality of information and the way it’s presented is insanely good. Thank you for your amazing videos

[@alaintluna1989]

Damn bro, this is brilliant!!! you solved my life, I was really afraid of my cheap arm thanks! lmao

[@azr13]

I'm not even doing cinematography yet i find your videos enjoyable and captivating. Very calm and beautiful.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I really appreciate it! 😄 I'm just making what I want to see, if that makes sense - I'm not a huge fan of fast paced tutorials, as I can't absorb information as easily, and it just feels more natural to me this way. Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@dianapuna2617]

wow this really helped me with my problem. Thank you, great video!!!!

[@thedxrrkside]

0:10 damn bro! Chill😂 Can't tell you how much you've helped me improve my Low key lighting skills, thank you!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha the DIY made me angry, I'm impatient 🤣 thank you so much James I'm happy my videos are helping! :)

[@colorasylumproduction6355]

Can’t figure out how KZbin managed to keep your channel off my feed all this time. You sir are a very precious source of inspiration for the filmmaking community. Subscribed!

[@JoaoSilva22222]

You are the new Roger Deakins! Thank you for this amazing lesson!

[@JacobCenteno]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate you showing the results of different methods. Thank you!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Absolutely, always best to see exactly how you can effect the look of the shot! Thank you so much!! :)

[@RobbScholarTube]

It's videos like this that made me subscribe all those months ago. You're the Gerald Undone of lighting lol love your videos man!

[@tarunverma7015]

I alwasys got so confused in lighting part ...thanks mate amazing content ❤

[@25mrkeys]

Always loved your content since I followed you years ago. Definitely want to experiment with bouncing light more 💯

[@FromtheShires]

This is fantastic Rob. Thanks for making and sharing it. Really appreciate your approach to working.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much for the kind words Ant, glad you enjoyed it! :) it's been a while, hope you're keeping well man!

[@roehaus1]

Great... or as the British would say, "Brilliant!" The wire tie idea to hang the frame from the boom is genius!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

We say great too, but brilliant is definitely the stronger exclamation haha! Thank you so much Jerry! :)

[@BaseballKing44]

Great work as always sir, your channel deserves way more views and engagement than it gets

[@Quarker]

This is stunning stuff, really wanna give this method a crack!

[@RhythmicEye]

Excellent video. I love resourceful filmmakers. Great work!

[@daniel.h2488]

This video is GOLD!!!!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much Daniel!! :)

[@B-Moye]

So many lighting hacks and biggest in here. Quality stuff!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much!! I appreciate it :)

[@MikeCerberGEO]

And Again, The Most Underrated Channel & The Most Underrated Super Teacher :D With His Always Calm Voice & Serious Face :D Thanks Man For Everything You're Doing

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much Mike, I really appreciate your kind words and I'm so happy you're learning from my channel!! 😄

[@KevinvanDiest]

Glad to have discovered your channel. Very interesting and inspiring

[@ErdincMusic]

This is great man. Much appreciated.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much!! Hope you found it helpful!! :)

[@eqajmg]

Sooooo gonna use this great tip. Good knowledge dropping

[@zahkilovett]

great diy & breakdown

[@appetitelife]

What an innovative top light solution!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much man!! 😄

[@tabletopfilmmaker8360]

Your videos are pure gold

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying them! :D

[@BenSemisch]

This is pretty dang cool. Have you looked at using a Mirror instead of a bounce? You could probably get a little higher output for not much extra weight.

[@leecourington2536]

Fab as always man.

[@richardstirling5799]

Wow great vid simple practical effective perfect

[@milogopar]

wooow great DIY, you should make videos like this since now :)

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha I'm actually awful at DIY! I'm not sure how I managed this 😅 thank you so much!

[@clayschmoldt8933]

Thanks for the inspiration to try this out. I may even try to make a bounce that uses an acrylic mirror. I'll be curious to see if the Velcro can support the weight.

[@SunDevilThor]

Amazing content. I’ll have to try this with the source four junior zoom lights I just bought off of eBay. I absolutely love anything DIY that turns out to be so practical!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! :) the source fours would definitely do the job! I'm not usually a DIY kind of guy but I've been thinking about putting something like this together for a while - so I'm super happy it works haha!

[@JoshuaBoothCreative]

This was so awesome. I've been thinking of building one.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks Joshua! Did you build one in the end?

[@saiurividal1026]

Thank your so much for share all your knowledge, I have learn more with you than with my cinematic Photography classes!!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much, that's great to hear! Happy you're learning from my videos!! :)

[@alexjcorona2605]

You're the G.O.A.T

[@victorfilm_]

What a great diy idea! Thank you for sharing, Rob.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you for watching! Hope you found it helpful! :)

[@zblsk]

Well done! Thanks for DIY and sample videos

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you! 😄 hope you found it useful!!

[@simply.piyush]

Always to the point. I absolutely love the videos you put out, so much value. Thankyou so much for creating these. I just started my journey as a cinematographer and I just want you to know that I get to learn so much from you. Can't thank you enough! Much love from India 🇮🇳 ♥

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so so much and I really appreciate you letting me know how much you're learning from my videos! And I hope you're enjoying cinematography! 😁 Much love from the UK!! ❤

[@TheoVon001]

This is so so amazing

[@SAKBEATS]

Thanks man i love this video. i learn so much.

[@justinbrown8038]

I'm pretty sure you are a genius.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Ah I wouldn't go that far haha! The more you play with light the more you'll pick up on things you can do with it, it's all just a learning process :) thank you so much for the kind words!

[@LyssaSamuel]

Thank you so much for making this!!! I've been trying to figure out how to do top lighting with low ceilings and I'm really excited to try this method. If I don't have a projection light, do you think I could get similar results by shaping with barn doors and getting the light as close as possible to the bounce? Thanks again for sharing your craft & wisdom, your videos are always inspiring!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I reckon if you can get the light pretty close and control the spill with barn doors like you said, I should think that would work absolutely fine, yes! Would love to hear how it goes if you try it! Thank you so much for the kind words Lyssa! :)

[@LyssaSamuel]

@@RobEllisCinematographer Thank you so much for your thoughts & reply! I will report back with my findings, but if I'm honest, re-watching your projector video just makes me really want to get one lol.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

@@LyssaSamuel haha they are extremely handy tools, I would definitely recommend it!

[@luismaurizzio4236]

@@LyssaSamuel make sure to get some black wrap foil to avoid any spillage from the barn doors

[@Lumithell]

Thanks for you’re work

[@TheRigul]

Thank you so much Rob.

[@Chromedbustop]

I like everything about this set up. Wonder if anyone has thoughts on how to make a collapsible version of this. I really like the relative ease of setting this up and the safety it adds, but it does seem to lack the portability of something like a softbox. This is something I'd love to be able to take from place to place with me, but adding a large board to the travel gear is kind of unfortunate.

[@alexsobrino]

So cool idea! Thank you, Rob!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you Álex, glad you enjoyed it!! :)

[@JaniBold]

Srsly no words bro 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much man!! 😄

[@giorgiomarangolo]

I was thinking of a setup like this yesterday and now you're video comes out on time! Incredible! Great content as always! 👌

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha excellent timing! Let me know if you give something like this a go! And thank you so much! 😄

[@JE2PO]

Easily one of the best lighting channels on you tube. Out of interest what editing software do you use

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much!! 😄 I use Davinci Resolve to edit and grade :)

[@WillRoyMedia]

So this video is great and I'm a big fan of real DIY filmmaking but I really think buying a c stand is a must have for sll filmmakers.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! Standard c-stands are pretty vital for lighter loads, I would go for a heavy duty c-stand and heavy duty boom for overhead lighting, absolutely - a standard c-stand with gobo arm is only really meant for holding lightweight modifiers, etc. Junior/combo stands with a heavy duty boom arm are probably the safest way to go for booming lighting though, save going for a mini max (or menace arm 😶) ! But yes I agree, c-stands are definitely a tool everyone needs!

[@DanielTuriman]

I love it, i still looking the way how to do this technique, thank you for the video, really help me, i try to apply for my project.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much, I'm glad it has helped you! :)

[@DanielTuriman]

@@RobEllisCinematographer in this case, im still looking a solution to make wide shot for this lighting design

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

@@DanielTuriman a longer/stronger stand and arm will help you there :) but these do cost a good amount if you want to ensure safety!

[@DanielTuriman]

@@RobEllisCinematographer great, thank you Rob for this tips.

[@isaiahgalante]

Always number 1!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

😁 thanks so much Isaiah, I appreciate it!! 😄

[@BROOKLYNPOETZ]

Oustanding video! Thank you for making this. Such an underrated channel. Subbed!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! :) and thank you for subscribing, I appreciate it!

[@cinelightingpro4354]

Nice work brother! Looking forward to collaborating soon

[@martarymarczyk4911]

Love this, so simple, great effect! I have to do my own overhead light :D

[@DegusTatorG]

Friend, thank you very much for the work done! Very clearly, it is clear and you can try to repeat it! 💪😊

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much!! Glad you found the video clear and helpful! 😄

[@RizGhumro]

That was a great tutorial video! Always wanted a have a top lighting setup. The projection mount seems amazing but definitely not ready to buy that yet. I’m sure we can find other ways to shoot the light thru for a great result. Thanks Rob!! Inspiring as always!!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much Riz! Another commenter suggested getting another light pretty close to the bounce and controlling it with barn doors, so you can bounce without a projection mount - you'd lose a little flexibility but that may also be an option!

[@eastbayhawk]

I love your videos, they have been a huge help for me taking my lighting to the next level, I really appreciate you

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Super happy to hear my videos have been so helpful, makes creating these tutorials worth it! Thank you so much! 😄

[@KhadriZONE]

I appreciate the technique

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you Nazir!! 😃

[@ngonzale3]

Absolutely love your video. Making this incredibly useful tool! Thank you!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much Nicholas!! :)

[@beaverbreweryminsk5392]

Great as usual

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much!!

[@PolskiAmbient]

diy rox! Cool ideas!

[@tturpin98]

Brilliant!

[@MB-xh4gf]

If you need a light with a projector adaptor surely it'd just be cheaper to buy a stand that can handle the weight of your light with a diffusion add on?

[@sundayalabi8641]

This guy is good😊

[@danielcharlesfilms2897]

Amazing. Thank you

[@EGWT.]

Thank you so much for this tips ❤️

[@EGWT.]

So helpful 😊

[@TomasStavik]

Another genius video.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you for the kind words Tomas!

[@TomasStavik]

@@RobEllisCinematographer Always. You got yourself a new patreon today as well.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much for your support, I really appreciate it!! :)

[@orteezthis]

So good!! Thank you big Rob

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much Jason!! :)

[@TiddlyFilms]

Very helpful and interesting!

[@geoffrey411]

Amazing Insight. Thank you and keep teaching us.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much Geoffrey, happy you found the video useful!! 😄

[@marcelosantos5683]

Done half of the tutorial. Now I just need some patrons so I can write their names and continue on

[@peizhou9167]

DIY player is wicked！

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

😁😁 thank you for your support, on here and on Patreon!! 😄

[@SubhasisMukherjee]

Great one. 👍

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much! :)

[@tazssfreak]

This is amazing!!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much!

[@SashaJordanAppler]

Well done 👍

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks Sasha!! :)

[@brodieshapiro2269]

love this

[@morucek]

thanks for making this video!! its great!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

And thank you for watching it! I appreciate it!! :)

[@ltjplanet]

Awesome ideas!!!

[@abubakirbalfaqih9641]

Amazing as usual … how do you get this final color because I think your light is a daylight color but the final is not !

[@9horizon40]

Thank you soo much . Yours videos are really amazing . Love it

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you, super happy you're enjoying them! :)

[@austinhuhs]

Help: after pinning the black material, I got stuck because I don't have any patreons to write down....what do I do ?

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

😂 write the first 30 words that come into your head, then staple it to the canvas!!

[@intrinsiccinema7374]

This was great video for learning

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Super happy to hear that, thank you so much!! :)

[@intrinsiccinema7374]

@@RobEllisCinematographer this video confirms I need a heavy duty steal light stand be because the regular stands just don't cut it

[@Carteblanchefx]

Great! Thanks a lot!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you for watching!! :)

[@AlpacoFilms]

Dude, this is wonderful! I was thinking of using a snoot to do something similar! Great job!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

That would absolutely work, remember with a snoot you'll lose light output though - whereas a projector/spot light concentrates all the output into a beam. You would probably want the light to be a bit closer to the bounce to make the most of the output! Thank you so much!! :)

[@AlpacoFilms]

@@RobEllisCinematographer yea that’s what I was worried about. But I figured I’d saw off part of the snoot to get more out out. I know it’s still not as effective as a true spot light but the snoot is only $20 hahaha so I can afford to break it a bit.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Absolutely, sometimes you just gotta do what you can to make it work! Let me know how it works out! 😃

[@alekseyleonov]

If i have a crappy stand, amazing option is flexible led panels. Like Westcott does + your solution. Those panels weights nothing. Westcott a bit pricy. But so usefull to have at least one 1x1

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Yes absolutely, I've been meaning to try one of those for years, extremely handy lights!! I looked into them as a counter point for this video - what we gain with the DIY solution is the flags, swappable material, and ability to choose a more powerful light to bounce from it if needed - although I don't think it would be impossible to add these things to a flexible mat somehow. Something I'll have to look into!! 😁

[@shayanmousavi2154]

thank you so much for this video bro

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Absolutely! And thank you so much for watching! :)

[@claytomcs]

really good images with this setup , makes me wanna try myself haha thx for the content man keep it up

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much!! Would love to hear how it goes if you do try it yourself! :)

[@claytomcs]

haha cool, ill try tomorrow

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

@@claytomcs awesome, I am psyched to hear that haha!

[@theindiefilmdude]

SIMPLY GENIOUS💪

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

It's just learning about light, nothing more! 🙂 thank you so much!

[@J94_Film]

This was excellent thanks. Because the spotlight mounts can be expensive, could you use barn doors instead? I understand you can get spill from gaps in doors, but what is a safe way to block those off? (I.e. not a fire risk). Jeremy

[@hiteshjoshi3148]

bro i want to click dramatic potraits like smoking cigg etc while sitting on chair or in a bathtub or like holding a fish in river which lens i use and focal length i usually like adding context to photo

[@ngzonghee]

intense

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you!! 😁