How to Light a Music Video Indoors: 5 Looks to Try (and Where to Shoot Them in SLC)

How to Light a Music Video Indoors: 5 Looks to Try (and Where to Shoot Them in SLC)

Not every music video needs a warehouse and a fog machine — but it doesn’t hurt. Whether you're going for stylized drama or stripped-down intimacy, lighting is the key to elevating your visuals and helping the artist’s vision shine. In fact, great lighting can often cover a multitude of sins: low budget, rushed shoot, underdeveloped concept. If the light hits right, the whole vibe changes.

At Cutthroat, we’ve seen plenty of music videos walk through our studio — from gritty DIY setups to high-end commercial shoots. Over time, a few lighting approaches have stood out. So we pulled together five of the most versatile and repeatable looks to try the next time you’re shooting indoors.

1. The Moody Backlight

Think silhouettes, haze, and shadows. This setup is all about drama and emotion. Use a powerful backlight (we love our Aputure 600D for this), add a haze machine to make the beams visible, and let your subject emerge from the dark. It’s great for performance shots with lots of movement or emotional intensity. 

Common references: Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Perfume Genius.

2. High-Key Color Wash

Popular in pop and R&B videos, this look uses soft, colorful washes across the cyc wall to create a dreamy or surreal atmosphere. Gels or RGB fixtures (like our Arri Skypanels or Aputure Nova) can do the trick. Pair it with clean wardrobe choices and minimal props for maximum effect.

Common references: SZA, Troye Sivan, BTS.

3. The “Live Session” Look

Warm, practical lighting that mimics a live studio setup. Use tungsten bulbs, small fresnels, or LED tubes rigged as practicals. Bounce them into white or gold modifiers for that cozy, analog feel. Bonus: it looks great on behind-the-scenes and vertical cutdowns.

Common references: NPR Tiny Desk, COLORS, Bon Iver.

4. Harsh Shadows & Hard Light

Bring on the contrast. This style leans into hard key lights and defined shadows — think crime-thriller lighting meets avant-garde fashion. Try barn doors or snoots to direct the beam, and keep fill lights minimal. Great for choreography and tension-building.

Common references: FKA twigs, Rosalia, Kendrick Lamar’s ELEMENT.

5. Split Tones with Gels

One side warm, one side cold. Or red and blue. Or green and magenta. The idea is to use two opposing gelled lights from different angles to create tension, motion, or psychological contrast. Easy to do with Aputure lights and some imagination.

Common references: Tyler, The Creator, Travis Scott, Billie Eilish’s bury a friend.

Where to Test These Looks

All of these styles can be built right here at Cutthroat’s South Salt Lake studio. Our pre-lit cyc wall, blackout capabilities, and grip inventory (C-stands, flags, hazers, RGBs, and more) give you the freedom to experiment — or just show up and shoot. We’ve got gear for rent, a team that actually knows how to use it, and a space flexible enough to pull off whatever look you’re chasing.

Let’s Build the Look

Cutthroat was designed for creators who know what they want — or are still figuring it out. If you’re planning a music video shoot, performance session, or visualizer, our studio is open, stocked, and ready to roll.

Need gear, lighting, or a studio to make your vision happen? Book with us today.

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