In this clip from our Night Cinematography Masterclass, Shane Hurlbut, ASC, breaks down how to light large night exteriors with depth and contrast. Joined by Gaffer Tom Sigurdsson and Key Grip Brendan Riel, Shane discusses his approach to lighting a 150-yard night exterior using a 120ft Herc Condor, Nanlux 2400Bs, and rock n’ roll movers to create a visually dynamic and balanced scene.
Shane explains why he often turns to Nanlux 2400Bs over traditional tools like Maxi Brutes for night exteriors. By leveraging the power of modern LEDs, Shane is able to achieve precise control over spot/flood settings, dimming, and color temperatures, which provides flexibility and efficiency on set. In this setup, the team uses the 2400Bs to mimic the performance of a classic Maxi Brute 12-lite, achieving an even wash of light over a large area while maintaining control of intensity and direction.
The team also plans to use rock n’ roll movers at the base of the Condor to enhance depth and contrast in the background. These lights add texture and dimension while allowing for creative color contrasts, helping to bring the scene to life. While this clip focuses on Shane’s overview of the plan, the full Night Cinematography Masterclass dives deeper into the tools and techniques to elevate your night exterior lighting skills.
Key topics covered:
• How to light large night exteriors with precision
• Why Shane Hurlbut uses Nanlux 2400Bs over Maxi Brutes
• Achieving depth and contrast in night lighting setups
• How to rig a 120ft Condor for night cinematography
• Using rock n’ roll movers for background dimension
Step onto set with the confidence of a professional. Shane Hurlbut’s Night Cinematography Masterclass teaches you the tools and techniques that make Hollywood night scenes unforgettable. https://bit.ly/40tJCxa
What you’ll gain:
• The confidence to create cinematic moonlight (blue, gray, or white).
• A clear understanding of light ratios, meters, and exposure.
• Proven strategies for lighting night exteriors at any scale.
This is more than a class—it’s a career’s worth of knowledge, condensed into actionable steps that set you apart in a competitive industry. Don’t let this year pass without investing in yourself. https://bit.ly/40tJCxa
Gear Used in this Masterclass:
Camera's:
Sony Venice 2: https://bhpho.to/49hMmR7
Sony Burano: https://bhpho.to/49oGHaT
Sony FX3: https://bhpho.to/3AwmGn2
Lights:
Nanlux Evoke 2400B: https://bhpho.to/41BL9Cf
Nanlux 4-Light Frame for Evoke 2400B (with Yoke): https://bhpho.to/3Dms3Gf
Nanlux Dyno 1200C RGBW LED Panel: https://bhpho.to/4gAiMIQ
Nanlux FL-35E Motorized Fresnel Lens: https://bhpho.to/3BA8PML
Nanlux Reflector Kit for Evoke 2400B (30 & 60°): https://bhpho.to/3BzHF8M
Nanlux Reflector for Evoke 2400B (45°): https://bhpho.to/4ggPcsr
Nanlux Evoke 1200B LED Bi-Color Spot Light: https://bhpho.to/41AhIAH
Nanlux Reflector for Evoke 1200 (45°): https://bhpho.to/3ZUDttD
Camera Build:
Sony Burano Cage: https://bit.ly/3BkHXjG
Hollywood Handle: https://bit.ly/3OCZN4A
Matte Box: https://bit.ly/3Bfwfa5
Monitor Mounts & Magic Arms: https://bit.ly/3CVcg15
Mini Locks: https://bit.ly/3VliOw6
Power, Audio & Video Cables: https://bit.ly/4gjpXFq
Hollyland:
Hollyland Pyro S 4K HDMI/SDI Wireless Video Transmitter: https://bhpho.to/3BmNPZI
Hollyland Solidcom C1 Pro 6 Set: https://bhpho.to/3OBQHFm
Hollyland Lark Max: https://bhpho.to/3VmtwTf
Angelbird Media:
Angelbird 1TB AV PRO CFexpress 4.0 Type A Memory Card: https://bhpho.to/3OL5jlz
Angelbird 512GB AV PRO CFexpress 4.0 Type A Memory Card: https://bhpho.to/41efPcN
Angelbird 256GB AV PRO CFexpress 4.0 Type A Memory Card: https://bhpho.to/3OCzco7
Irix Lenses:
IRIX 65mm T1.5 Cine Lens (ARRI PL, Black): https://bhpho.to/4geGN8g
IRIX Cine Production Set (15/21/30/45/150mm, E Mount): https://bhpho.to/49lg7Aq
Flanders DM231: https://bhpho.to/3Zc6a3K
Inovativ Deploy Workstation: https://bit.ly/3Av55Mh
Special Thanks
A huge thank-you to Craterr and sponsors Hollyland, Kondor Blue, Sony Cine, Irix Cine Lenses, Angelbird, Nanlux, and CineMoves for making this production possible.
Supported by:
Inovativ, Flanders Scientific, Tiffen, Herc Entertainment, Saniset Fleet, Keslow Camera, MBS Equipment, Premier Lighting, Northern Lighting, Legacy Grip, Division Rentals, Musicbed, and B&H.
If you're a filmmaker seeking to level up your craft, the official Filmmakers Academy podcast is an absolute gamechanger. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3V8up0a
Check out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2
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