How To Build A Soft Box

This lesson is apart of our Filmmakers Academy Sampler which includes 19 free lessons.
This video is all about understanding how to build your soft box, it is a mix of some carpentry, foam core, and screws. I have been building soft boxes my whole career. It is a way to funnel light from above that is as controlled as you want it by boxing in the source.
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[@JohnMacLeanPhotography]

When I worked in the photo department at Mattel in the 80s all the studios had DIY foam core soft boxes. They all had varying degrees of warmth, depending on how yellowed the interior was from heat and age. They eventually lined the interiors with Rosco silver reflective material and the Ektachrome started to look more consistent across the studios.

[@65Drums]

This channel is incredible

[@victoriamoya5786]

This could be one of the best videos I've seen on here. Kudos man! I can't wait to check out some more of your videos. Your instruction is killer with so much info. I'll be using mine as a human light box with a little modifications.

[@alex_graf]

Great video! Really like this.

[@Ranger7Studios]

This was fantastic! I'll have to remember this trick for later usage. :)

[@AanuOlobo]

Changed my perspective on soft boxes

[@onikaimu]

Wow just great information here. I learned so much with no BS.

[@filmmakersworld]

That's great fam

[@TMM6900]

wonderful inspiration

[@urartcray]

this is amazing!

[@URBANTVOndemand]

Nice job, keep it coming!

[@nuriamelgar3283]

Thank you for sharing such a great idea 🙏🏻💡

[@VRVitaly]

Great vid and useful thnx

[@arjunan.b4072]

Who the heck is disliking such great contents 😑

[@MrKhaled247]

Thank you from Germany

[@juliencoll759]

Nice 😁

[@ianblackburn2645]

great video interesting choice of light?

[@LOSINGSAPCERODUCTION]

you are the greatest

[@MrDro1128]

the Time Allen of photography

[@offcenterconcepthaus]

Awesome content. I've used "weedblock" garden cloth to flag off a light, too.

[@freednighthawk]

Really? I've got a full 200 yard roll of that stuff. I'm gonna have to try that. I'm guessing you have to double or triple it up to really block light though?

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Same as plumbers plastic, or builders plastic for sealing the sand shapes before a concrete pour. Only thing to be careful of is heat - LED's are fine, Tungstens, not so much :D

[@freednighthawk]

@@PiDsPagePrototypes Damnit. The only light I currently own is a 1k tungsten.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@freednighthawk For Redhead's, Google-Fu "R7s LED" ;) Not as luminous yet, but getting there.

[@freednighthawk]

@@PiDsPagePrototypes no help. I'm running a Lowel DP tungsten, which uses a 1k FEL lamp. I want to get more modern LED fixtures, but with C19 keeping work slow, I don't see that happening any time soon, especially since I'm only a grip.

[@thecollinwalsh]

I love Shane

[@situgor3264]

Nice....

[@maisonmallninja]

if you look closely, this lens flare montage also includes a little tutorial on making a softbox

[@maxuno8524]

🤣😂 that's what I thought

[@derrickforeal]

Would really live seeing your actual footage examples of these ideas.

[@filmmakers_academy]

There are some brief examples at the end of the video and more on our website!

[@Leeroy0918]

You need a Home Depot sponsorship 👍🏻

[@nemesilickitunghiana5618]

Favino orgoglio nazionale

[@JohnMerritt1]

I like the video and how inexpensive DIY builds like this can be used for very processional and effective results. However I found it a bit incongruent that he talks about using bed sheets and shower curtains in the build but also describes how to mount $6K worth of lights to a $50 build. If I'm building a DIY soft box I probably don't have a budget for DMG Lumiere LED panels. (Yes, I know he went on to talk about cheaper lights too.)

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

The boys over on the Flite Test channel, where they build a lot (!!) of foam core based RC Aircraft, would approve of most of this construction, but maybe not the wood screws for the frame to mount the Diff from - those sections would easily attach with a hot glue gun instead. Using foam, for anything actors are going to be underneath, is a big safety boon, as it's a lot less mass. @Shane - rather then the table cloths, hardware stores will also have rolls of 'plumbers' or 'concreters' black plastic sheet, about 2 meters wide and 30 meters long, price is comparable, but less hassle blocking windows with one big sheet - and it slices with the same tool as used on Lee Gels. We do have to be cautious with hot lights around plastics and foams, but LED's aren't anywhere near as much of an issue.

[@LeopoldN]

I never came accross the maxi switch. Very suprised it has the same output as the s60. I have several Maxi MIX they are much mor powerfull than the s60... Also have beter colours. Anyyway thanks for the tips

[@BadKarma714]

Hey that Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino from angels and demons they say he’s the Tom Hanks in Italy That guy is an awesome actor did you get to work with him? If so what film was it and I would like to see it

[@filmmakers_academy]

It was on "A Casa Tutti Bene" a film directed by Gabriele Muccino and Shane was the DP

[@davetinoco]

Everyone is focusing on the soft-box while I am over here wondering how the hell they shot Shane backlit and still got him exposed. Must be a big ass bounce we cannot see.

[@antdx316]

2:33, now the piece that was trimmed off is going into someone's tire in the future

[@JimRobinson-colors]

Some of the backing audio there, I thought there was going to be a murder.

[@yeon723]

DO YOU WANT ME TO TRASH YOUR LIGHTS?

[@chrisogrady28]

That's not a Softbox, the name refers to the construction, not the light. That's a Hardbox. The real one's are incredibly expensive and are optimised for perfect even illumination and a perfect straight edged catch light, mostly for product photography. Such as the classic Broncolor Hazy Light 2, which cost > £10K

[@j.m.w.5064]

So we take not one but three huge and expensive professional flat light sources. Which work great. And instead of using some proper, light, reusable, collapsable box or flags - we invest money, time and some drives to the hardware store to construct a dodgy paper construction that probably will never be moved or stored or reused ever again. But we drill right through the lighting gear? ...WTF... And why is the nice man SHOUTING AT ME all the time?

[@KnifeGuy_]

Why did his voice make me anxious? Is he yelling?

[@J-Gx]

A lot of talk about "rigging" zero talk about safety. Don't go rigging over people if you don't know what you are doing! Get a professional to help you.

[@urartcray]

stop being a weenie. if want safety go watch bob the builder

[@J-Gx]

@@urartcray People like you are the reason I have to put a comment like that. You are the type to replicate that set-up, claiming it's "safe" because you saw it on the internet.

[@urartcray]

@G009 I understand you “trying to help”. But people like you are the reason youtubers quit giving out valuable information bc they get frustrated and perceive your comments as negativity. If you’re going to give constructive criticism then say the actual practical methods or say it in a positive way

[@J-Gx]

@@urartcray Instead of fanboying you should understand that Shane is a veteran. If he puts out stuff to teach other people he should do it the correct way. Safety is number 1 priority on set. The moment you let is slip people are going to get hurt.

[@xaea12musk96]

His voice is the same like a boring shark documentary