Lighting

Learning Objectives :
  -To learn the film language used to describe lighting techniques and effects.
                         -  Analyse lighting techniques and their effects, using correct terminology.

Learning Outcomes:
ALL : Will be able to describe one style of lighting techniques. E
MOST : Will be able to identify 2-3 styles of lighting styles and explain the purpose it has. C
SOME : Will be able to identify the lighting style and will be also be able to use media language effectively to describe the purpose it has. A

Lighting

Lighting is very effective in the use of film and media; it helps to express mood and atmosphere in a scene. It can be used for various effects such as weather, casting shadows and building tension as well as suspense within a scene, however its main use is usually to draw attention to a particular area or person’s gesture. 

Above, this diagram represents how lighting would normally be laid out in a studio/film set:

Key light:
The key light is usually the brightest light and the most significant in the domination of capturing important parts. Using just a key light can result in a high contrast scene, especially if the background is not illuminated.

Back light:
 A back light is placed behind the subject, it helps to neutralise the
effect of the key light so it does not seem so dominate, and by doing so makes the character, in this case, look more rounded.

Filler light:

 There can be more than one filler light at a time, they are mostly used to
soften the shadows created by the other lights and defuse  them, making the image look life like without any effects. 

 Angles of Lighting
Under Lighting:  Is when the key source of light comes from beneath the subject. This has a tendency of having a altering effect on the subject that is being lit up, mainly used in horror films, it is able to bright up the subject as well as parts of the background.
Top Lighting: Is when the main source of light is placed at an above angle over heading the subject to focus on features and expressions. It can used to create a glamorous effect on a star.
Back Lighting: Is when the light source is placed behind the subject, if little or a limited amount of light is used this angle of lighting can create shadows and silhouettes.

        
Types of Lighting

Low-Key: Also known as the effect chiaroscuro, low key  is when lighting is created by the use of a back light, its mainly used in thriller and horror films to represent a darker atmosphere, which is scary or mysterious.  It will produce a sharper contrast of light in darker areas on screen in order to develop deep shadows and silhouettes formations. 
High- Key:  This lighting means more filler lights are used in order for the subject to appear more realistic. The advantage to high-key lighting is that it doesn't require alteration for each scene. However high-key lighting fails to add meaning or drama by lighting certain parts more significant than others. It can be used to show scenery such as a sunny day or mood such as in love.

Low key lighting is a dramatic effect here as the lighting reflects on the atmosphere and the characters in the clip; it creates a scary gloomy effect that signifies danger or action. For those who are unaware of the film and the characters the light demonstrates their personality, most characters are wearing all black and the dark lighting compliments this.

 

The high key lighting is shown inside the toilet, compared to outside where the party is with a much darker light.  The lighting has escalated to a higher key in able to show the interaction between the two characters and show their facial expressions and body language clearly, sometimes high lighting is not viable on screen, the use of the lights in this scene are shown as mise en scene's in the toilet, to make the audience believe the toilet is already well lit.


Relation To My Own Thriller Film :

In relation to my own thriller opening and what use of lighting i believe i will be using, looking at most thriller films and how they create fear and suspense with lower key lighting rather than high makes a scene seem darker and more chilling. In films such as the matrix important scenes such as the fight scene are shown in low key lighting but the lighting and rain gives extra light to give dramatic effect, this can work well with my thriller also in displaying dramatic effect to satisfy the audience view of the film and make it seem scarier.