Lighting Gear (Can decide what to Get)

Question

I am trying to build up my production gear arsenal. Mainly, my lighting gear, which currently I have none. Can anyone give a good starter on camera Light roughly between 200.00 - 300.00 price range?
Also, I have a upcoming project where a scene will be in a nightclub. Do I need any studio light for that? I know I have a alot of questions, but lighting is something I know little about.
What is a good light source for a chorma green screen (Foam Fabric from eefx.com) and is the chorma Keyer and Color Key any good on FCE?
I would appreciate any helpful tips. Thanks

Answer 1

You can buy lights individually, but what you really want is a kit which will have everything you need to get started with lighting.
Lowell kits are generally considered good for starters. They're not my favorite lights in the world, but I tend to get stuck with them. With enough practice, they can be pretty effective.
This is the kit I'd recommend. Has most of the basics a good DP/gaffer needs in his arsenal:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2247&A=details&Q=&sku=285836&i s=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
There are some more bare bones Lowell kits out there, but I really don't recommend them as first kit. Without gels, diffusion or flags, you'll find yourself with very limited lighting options.
I personally prefer the Arri kits with Fresnel lenses. But of course, they're more expensive. Another good all-around kit:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2247&A=details&Q=&sku=72153&is =REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
These kits are by no means perfect for everyone. If you do a lot of interviews, it might be necessary to get a softbank (chimera), or if you're only shooting in a studio, a wide assortment of gels might not be necessary. Although I would recommend as much versatility as possible.
If you don't know lighting, you are going to want to learn before you plunk down a lot of cash. I learned it by doing some unpaid grip work. With an experienced gaffer by your side, you can learn a lot. I went from complete novice to somewhat competent in about a week. If that's not an option, I read a book once that seemed to cover the nuts and bolts of it pretty well:
http://www.amazon.com/Placing-Shadows-Third-Techniques-Production/dp/0240806611/ ref=pdbbs_sr1/002-7109487-5044012?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175539445&sr=8-1
good luck.
EDIT: Just want to say a good lighting kit will last you forever, if you take good care of it. The light kits where I went to school were in horrendous shape (the result of dumb students who didn't care). Since then, I've had the pleasure of working with kits that are many years old, but look as if they're brand new. Hooray for professionals.
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