Picture Car Glossary
picture car lighting package
What is a picture car lighting package?
Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars
Also called car lighting rig.
A picture car lighting package refers to practical or additional lighting elements rigged on or around a picture car to supplement or replace the vehicle's factory lights for on-camera use.
This may include battery-powered LED practicals in headlights and tail lights for consistency, underbody LED lighting for night scenes, interior ambient lighting for in-car dialogue, or remote-controlled theatrical lighting rigged to the exterior. The gaffer and rigging department coordinate the package with the picture car coordinator to ensure power sources, mount points, and heat dissipation are all safely managed.
Example
A night interior at speed needs small LED units rigged inside the cabin and a practical fix for the dome light, because a car's own lighting will not expose a face. The rig has to be invisible and powered from the car or a battery.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Planned by the gaffer with the picture car department, and rigged on prep days.
Common mistake
Relying on a car's own interior lighting for a night dialogue scene. A dome light will not expose a face, so the rig is planned in prep rather than improvised at the roadside.
Related questions
- How are night driving scenes lit?
- With small units rigged inside the cabin and often on the rig itself, powered from the vehicle or batteries, positioned to stay out of frame.
- Who plans it?
- The gaffer with the picture car department, on prep days, because the rig has to be installed and tested before the shooting day.
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