286 Video Production Handbook during rehearsal, look out for hot spots and dark areas, both on people as they move around and on the background. to adjust the lighting balance (i.e., the relative intensities of the various lamps), add a scrim to a light to dim it a little, or you may need to increase another light. n 11.29 USING ONE LIGHT keep in mind that the priorities in lights are as follows: the subject's key light, then a fill light to illuminate its shadows, then a backlight if needed, and finally lighting for the background. However, if you are using a single light and this is the only illumination there is, it will need to be placed relatively frontally. A single soft light, such as a "V-light," will provide a more attractive effect than a hard light source, particularly if you use a diffuser. this will cut down its light level but improve the pictorial effect. Although this soft light will scatter around, at least it prevents nearby areas from falling into a deep shadow. if you are using a single hard light source, results can be over-contrasty, leaving the subject unattractively isolated in a pool of light, within dark surroundings,