3 Inexpensive Video Lighting Hacks to Try in 2024

Who said bringing your video lighting up to a somewhat professional level has to cost a fortune? It’s just not true and it’s certainly unnecessary! With these inexpensive video lighting hacks you’ll be directing your light in just the right way and at just the right amount in no time. These lighting hacks are a must try for anyone rolling into 2024 with a lower film production budget and a burning desire to set the light straight on the set!

At Beverly Boy Productions, we realize that many businesses are turning to remote film production and DIY options to capture footage in 2024, and that post-production editing will be all the rage.

That’s why we think it’s important to provide anyone considering a DIY film project or remote production with the appropriate knowledge and tips to help them achieve success no matter where they’re filming.

We also know that it’s not so much the lighting that breaks the bank as it tends to be the various tools required to displace and disperse the light to the appropriate area on the set.

That’s why we’ve put together several inexpensive video lighting hacks that will help you control your lighting, without the lighting controlling your budget!

1. Recycled Clothes Hangers

Not just any hangers, but the ones that are used to display those Christmas socks you received in 2022.

The single clip hangar that tends to hold a pair of socks for hanging on display often find themselves either in the trash or in the closet with nothing hung on them — but not anymore!

Behold. These hangars make great and extremely versatile hooks for around your film set. Grab your nearest portable LED light and use the hangar to affix it to just about any hard to get into location.

These work great for getting light into nooks and crannies and are equally ideal for placing light on shelves, doorknobs, or even hanging from a table or other area.

The light can be clipped where the sock would have been clipped and the hangar is lightweight and versatile enough to attach to just about anything.

2. Aluminum Foil Light Director

Got those small LED flashlights hanging around? If you do, you can use these inexpensive video lighting hacks to direct some light around your set.

All you need is the flashlight, and a paper towel tube as well as some aluminum foil. Line the paper towel tube with the foil and then place the flashlight in the tube – now, direct the light anywhere that makes sense on the set. 

Want to direct the light into an awkward space? Somewhere that is not a straight shot? Take a length of aluminum foil that is several inches long and roll around your paper towel tube to make a tube shape.

Remove the paper towel tube from the rolled foil so that you have a foil roll. Place your light inside and then tightly grip the foil around the flashlight to secure it.

Now, you can gently bend and twist your foil to the desired shape that will direct the light into the awkward area.

As long as you carefully shape the foil your light will continue to shine through and reflect down the tube of foil and out the other end regardless of the awkward shape that you require to make it happen.

3. Beveled Drinking Glass Shadows

Want to create the appearance of water sparkling in the sun, the way a swimming pool or lake would send light onto a background? You can use a beveled drinking glass to recreate this look.

All you have to do is place the glass in front of your light source which is directed toward your background. Now, turn or shift the glass until the light reflects through the bevels to create the sparkling look.

This is one of the easiest and move inexpensive video lighting hacks to try out in 2024 and can be used for a variety of purposes.

Want to adjust the color of the lighting and shadows coming through the glass? Use a dry erase marker to color the glass or use a colored drinking glass that is beveled in a similar manner to produce a shimmery effect that includes some color enhancement too.

These inexpensive video lighting hacks are just a few of the DIY options and ideas that are easy to create and can help you improve your set lighting in a flash.