Lighting Film Codes and Conventions

Lighting effects Light plays an important role in our daily lives, influencing our activities, moods and cultural development. Light plays an important role in our daily lives, influencing our activities, moods and cultural development. Changes in light due to time of day, season or geographical location can have powerful effects. Changes in light due to time of day, season or geographical location can have powerful effects. What feelings, moods or activities do you associate with the following? What feelings, moods or activities do you associate with the following? - morning sunshine - night time/darkness - bright summer days - strong fluorescent lighting - campfire light - candlelight - cloudy winter days - twilight

Technical features The control of lighting in film and television has three main purposes: 1. To capture objects on film with sufficient clarity and detail 2. To direct the viewer’s attention within the frame (e.g. by spotlighting) 3. To achieve artistic and dramatic effects of mood, emotion and so on

Three point lighting Key light: the main source of light for the scene, generally placed in front and to one side of the main subject. Key light: the main source of light for the scene, generally placed in front and to one side of the main subject. Fill light: placed opposite to the key light, it softens shadows created by the key light, and ‘fills out’ the subjects so that they appear three-dimensional rather than flat. Fill light: placed opposite to the key light, it softens shadows created by the key light, and ‘fills out’ the subjects so that they appear three-dimensional rather than flat. Backlight: a third source of light directed behind the actors to help them stand out from the background Backlight: a third source of light directed behind the actors to help them stand out from the background

Low-key lighting Low-key lighting Low-key is subdued, uneven lighting with noticeable shadows. Low-key is subdued, uneven lighting with noticeable shadows. It creates a feeling of confinement and is good for building atmosphere. Because details may be hard to see, low-key lighting can be used for creating suspense. It creates a feeling of confinement and is good for building atmosphere. Because details may be hard to see, low-key lighting can be used for creating suspense. Low-key lighting is often associated with American gangster and detective films from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s (film noir). Low-key lighting is often associated with American gangster and detective films from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s (film noir).

The Big Combo (1955)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)

Ministry of Fear (1944)

High-key lighting High key lighting is bright, even lighting with few shadows. High key lighting is bright, even lighting with few shadows. It creates a sense of space and depth and is good for providing visual detail. Because nothing is hidden, high-key lighting tends to work against visual suspense, instead of creating a sense of safety or at least neutrality. It creates a sense of space and depth and is good for providing visual detail. Because nothing is hidden, high-key lighting tends to work against visual suspense, instead of creating a sense of safety or at least neutrality. High-key lighting is commonly used in musicals and comedy, where the tone is light. High-key lighting is commonly used in musicals and comedy, where the tone is light.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Color Filmmakers often use color filters or coloring effects to alter the tone of images. Filmmakers often use color filters or coloring effects to alter the tone of images. Color in film is often used to convey mood, atmosphere and feeling, and sometimes it is used symbolically. Color in film is often used to convey mood, atmosphere and feeling, and sometimes it is used symbolically.