Watch: You Can Light a Movie with a Single Lightbulb
Even the most modest of means can produce the most dramatic of shadows.
You don't have to shell out a ton of money to give your film the expensive look it deserves. In the words of Oscar-winning cinematographer Russell Carpenter, ASC (True Lies, Titanic), "Literally the most modest of means can provide very dramatic effects."
True to this sentiment, Carpenter demonstrates how, by simply attaching a household light bulb to a stand, a cinematographer can gain complete control over how light falls upon the subject.
Of course, this DIY tidbit would mostly benefit those that are attempting to shoot with hard light, but Carpenter also suggests taking tinfoil to modify the path of your light source if you're looking for a different vibe.