Lighting

Objective:

·         To  learn the film language used to describe lighting techniques and effects

·         Analyse lighting techniques and their effects, using the correct  terminology

Outcomes:

Ø  All: Will be able to describe one style of lighting techniques (E)

Ø  Most: Will be able to identify 2-3 lighting styles and explain the purpose it has in the film (C)

Ø  Some: Will be able to identify style and will also be able to use media language effectively to describe the purpose it has (A)

Lighting helps to convey mood and atmosphere in a scene; it can also be used to guide the audience’s attention to a particular object, person gesture. Lighting can also be used to cast shadows and build tension and suspense.

Lighting Terminology

Key Light – Is usually the brightest light and the most influential

Back Light – Helps to counteract the effect of the key light, making the character or object look more rounded

Filler Light – Helps to soften the harsh shadows that the other light create. There may be more than one filler light

Here is an example of different types of Filler Lights: http://ecbcnz.com/hireProfessionals/lighting.php?p=lighting&sp=lighting

Angles of Light

Under Lighting – Is when the main source of light comes from below the subject, this tends to have a distorting effect on the character or object that is being lit and is often used in Horror films.



Top Lighting – Is when the main source of lighting comes from above highlighting the features of a character it can be used to create glamorous look in a star

Back Lighting – Is when the light source is behind the subject, if little or no light is used, silhouettes are created

 

Types of Lighting

Low Key – Lighting is created by the use of back lights, this will produce a sharp contrast of light and dark areas on the screen and cause deep shadows to from, and this effect is known as Chiaroscuro

High Key – Lighting means that more filler lights are used, the term means lighting that appears more natural and realistic to our eyes. It can be used to describe lighting on brightly lit sets such as a recreated sunny day in the park, or to describe a more subtly-lit night time scene. Although shadows will be produced the contrast is a lot softer



Cameo lighting - in film is a spotlight that accentuates a single person in a scene. It creates an angelic shot, such as one where God is shining down and a light shines down onto this person.





Stage lighting instruments - are used in stage lighting to illuminate theatrical productions, concerts, and other performances taking place in live performance venues. They are also used to light television studios and sound stages.

Soft light - refers to light that tends to "wrap" around objects, casting shadows with soft edges. The softness of the light depends mostly on the following two factors:

• Distance. The closer the light source, the softer it becomes.
• Size of light source. The larger the source, the softer it becomes.

The film Noir is the term given by French film critics to a group of Americans films released in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. The plots were often based on detective novels set in big cities with dark alleyways, wet pavements and sleazy bars. The films were termed ‘Noir’ because of the dark look of films. The lighting was low key with strong areas of contrast between light and dark. Actors’ faces were sometimes it this way to cast a dark shadow over one side suggesting a darker side to the character

My own clip: Dark Knight

To show that I have full understanding of lighting I have a full understanding of lighting I have decided to analyse my own film clip. I have looked at the following extract from the film “Dark Knight”. I have chosen this film clip because it is a thriller film and conveys the generic conventions of a thriller film.

Natural lighting – When the Batman jumps on the car, this is to make the film look realistic and this also intrigues the audience with the film making it look exciting

Natural lighting – At what time Batman is standing on the building, this is to emphasise on the batman and his authority, and this makes him look powerful. Through this the audience feel more involved in the film and prepares them for the narrative

Cameo Lighting – On the joker because he is the only character in the frame, this makes him also look important in the movie, the audience already can see that he is the bad guy, furthermore this grabs the audience’s attention.

Back Lighting - As soon as the two police officers are together there is back lighting behind them, this makes the place to gritty and people will automatically think that it is a prison cell. This makes the audience feel more involved in the narrative.

High Key Lighting – This is when the joker is sitting down this makes him look important in the film, furthermore the audience will know that he is the bad guy because is follow the generic conventions and they will expect a bad guy in the film

Natural lighting – whilst the Batman is driving the motorbike, it is natural lighting because they want to make it realistic

High Key Lighting – When the batman is sitting in the boardroom, this is making the place look like a high earned business or hotel room. This prepares the audience for the narrative

High key – When they girl is in the restaurant and there is high key lighting of her and this to show an introduction of a character or a new transformation for the character. This also makes the character looked rich because the restaurant looks like an expensive place

Top lighting - Bruce Wayne is seen walking in his underground layer where he keeps his gadgets for batman. This is top lighting because the main source of light is coming from above him

Low key – The Joker is in prison, they use low key lighting to emphasize the gritty and dirty prison. This is a good use of low key lighting because the audience think that the place is realistic which makes them feel more involved in the film

Low Key Lighting - the Batman has is seen questioning someone this makes him seem scary and mysterious to the audience and to the other character