Project: Mise-en-scene: Planning for lighting

 I mentioned in my previous posts that lighting is very important, an essential element for a film. Without it, then a film might not be as effective it can be with proper lights. Even if a film has choppy animation, it can still look good as long as everything else in it catches the viewers eyes more than the animation. 

I said in one of my previous posts that lighting was the aspect I was most worried about, since although I have made stop motion animations in the past, they are a still bit choppy since I am a huge amateur. 

Right now all I have is an ordinary lamp and little finger led lights. The led finger lights are very good for lighting, and gives me better control of the lighting of a scene. But there is one main problem: they don't last long. In previous films I made, there is noticeable changes in lighting because the finger leds I was using would flicker and don't last long and overtime dim down. Afterall they are designed for party use, not film or photography. 

So I need to find alternative lights that are small, but also last long and do not dim overtime. 

The reason why I like using these little lights is because they not only make the atmosphere of my animations look more lively and cool, they also give much more freedom of how I want my scenes to be lit. 

I am considering these two choices. The first are these mini round button lights, meant for trucks and vehicles. They do not have any setting on them other than turning on and off. I don't mind this, after all lights are surprisingly expensive and I need to work with I can afford. And I also don't mind this not having a broader range of colored lights available (I can just cover the white lights with colored paper or plastic).

What I really like about these is that have sort of a flashlight shape to them, like the finger lights I liked to use.

However the main, possible, issue I am using is that these lights are not chargeable and need an adapter to power it. Which is fine since I already have plenty of AC adapters I could use, but I am not sure how using a wired light would effect the shooting of my project (I never shot a project with a small light that is wired). 

My second option are these small leds, again originally meant for vehicles, mainly motorcycles. The benefits with these is they are wireless, meaning they can be charged and can give me better freedom of where to place them on my set. And they are remote controlled to which I can control what color they are. 

This sounds good but again, the main problem I am seeing is that they are wireless, meaning they have a battery which could possibly make the light dim and maybe flicker overtime. 

I looked at the reviews of this product and they are fairly good until there is one really honest bad review of the same object. To which I am not sure if I should heed it or not. But the reviews are fairly good, so I am more leaning towards the probability that this is a good product.

These two lights look good, but I am wondering which one should I buy? Or should I just buy both? The button lights have better reviews and stars than the motorcycle lights, but the motorcycle lights have a better range of color and does not need a wire connected. I think I'll try to buy both of these, if my parents allow it, but I am also leaning towards the idea of just buying the button lights since they have better reviews.

And about my lamp. The main problem I have with my lamp is that it has a very reflective design; having shiny steel metal as the main hold and a white cone around the bulb. This means if I am going to use this lamp, then it'll be visible, even in darkness. Not to mention that it could possibly interfere with the light since it is white and metal. But I might just cover it up with black clothe or paper. 

I originally thought about using these, small light bulb holders. They are small, black (which will not interfere with lighting), and easier to move around than a lamp. 

Although, I am questioning whether these lights are necessary or not? Yes, I already have a lamp, but it is pretty imbalanced and pretty reflective. I'll definitely be thinking about it.