Lighting can make or break your self-tape — literally. Too dark and you look like you’re filming a hostage video. Too bright and you’ll need SPF 1000. Luckily, you don’t need to spend Hollywood money to look camera-ready. A simple setup with two or three lights can turn your living room into a professional audition space faster than you can say “Slate your name.”

Here’s the basic breakdown:
– Two lights: One as your main (key) light, one to soften shadows (fill light).
– Three lights: Add a backlight behind you to pop off the background and look more three-dimensional.
– More lights? Sure, if you’ve got the gear (and the patience), but two or three will cover 95% of what you need.

Next up, I’ll show you exactly where to stick those lights — with some diagrams that won’t make you feel like you’re back in geometry class.

Two lights will get you started — and that’s totally fine.
A simple setup with a key light and a fill light is more than enough for most self-tapes. But when you’re ready to level up, adding a third light behind you can make a big difference.

In a three-point lighting setup, that third light — the backlight — is placed behind the subject (that’s you) and aimed at your back or shoulders. It creates a subtle rim of light that outlines you and helps separate you from the background. Translation? You look more three-dimensional and a lot less like you’re taped to a wall.

UBeesize Softbox Lighting Kit

Simple, affordable, and quick to set up. Great for beginners or tight spaces.
Check it out

MountDog Softbox Lighting Kit

A budget-friendly two-light kit that’s lightweight, easy to use, and surprisingly effective.
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Neewer 660 LED Video Light Kit

I use these in my RV setup. Sturdy, adjustable, and bright. A solid step up from basic softboxes.
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GVM 560 LED Video Light Kit

Bi-color lights with digital controls. Great quality for actors doing lots of taped auditions.
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Aputure Amaran 100d + Softbox Kit

This is what I use for my home setup — ceiling mounted. Killer quality and tons of flexibility.
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Godox SL-60W + Softbox

Studio-level lighting with clean, consistent output. Perfect for dedicated spaces.
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