During the process of creating a short film a note able and unique style is significantly important. Style can include several elements, an example of this that we studied within our class is lighting as it has an important affect within the film production.
Whilst studying the affects of lighting on the style of films film noir presented itself several times within the both class and independent study conducted. 'Film noir', a term applied by French critics to describe American thriller or detective films is a cinematic term. It is used majorly to describe the 'stylish Hollywood crime dramas' (particularly those that emphasise cynical attitudes and sexual motivations)' e.g. Casablanca and many of Alfred Hitchock's films.The Hollywood classic film noir period was generally regarded as occurring between the 1940's and the 1950's, during this period film noir was associated with low key, black and white, visual style with both bright lights and effective shadowing.
In terms of character profiling, film noir films usually consisted of a stereotypically 'hard hearted' male, he would then somehow meet an also stereotypically beautiful female. However the female had a subversive side as she is also considered promiscuous, amoral, double dealing and seductive. The 1940's were considered the era of female empowerment, the link between the era the films were produced in and the character traits of the females in these films is clear, their roles suffered. Both of the photos situated between the writing are examples of screen shots from film noir films with a typical film noir style and characteristics.
“Double Indemnity” (1944)
“Double Indemnity” (1944)
Once we had watched the film during a lesson we then participated in a practical workshop that showed us the different types and allowed us to practise how the lights were positioned that were commonly used in film noir films. We learnt a variety of ways of to position the lights and about the lighting and the effectiveness of it generally.
Paired with learning about lighting was learning about the shadows created by lighting, we learnt about two different types of shadows:
Paired with learning about lighting was learning about the shadows created by lighting, we learnt about two different types of shadows:1)Attached shadows: Attached shadows occur when lighting doesn’t illuminate parts of the object due to its shape and size.
2)Cast shadows: A cast shadow is when objects block the light source and “cast” a shadow.
An advantage of lighting is that it can draw and divert attention to or away from specific things whether it be a character that needs to be highlighted as important due their vital role within the film or a character that needs to be shown as mysterious with a low lighting affect on them.
The image placed on the right is an example of a cast shadow - The shadow in this shot is created due to the fact that the blind appears to be essentially blocking the direct light source, the sunlight from outside. Therefore there is a cast Shadow formed onto the man standing directly opposite.
The image placed on the right is an example of a cast shadow - The shadow in this shot is created due to the fact that the blind appears to be essentially blocking the direct light source, the sunlight from outside. Therefore there is a cast Shadow formed onto the man standing directly opposite. Then man standing in this shot has prominent, lit lines across his body. These are obviously created by the blinds but can also denote certain things about a character and their situation e.g. the theme of entrapment or being imprisoned.
The image to the left is an example of an attached shadow. The photos consists of what the viewer would consider two important characters, plausibly the central protagonists, with minor characters, used to set the scene in the background. The face of the man positioned on the left of the photo has a shadow on the right hand side of his face due to his physical stature creating it, this is an example of an attached shadow.
'THE LEMON' - HOLLIS FRAMPTON.
After learning about and fully understanding the purpose and affects of the two previously mentioned types of shadow as a class we looked into the affect that lighting and shadows can have on the shape and texture of objects. After research we found a short video that demonstrates perfectly the manipulation light can have on objects. The video is centered around a lemon on which light is directed at it from different angles and with different strength, this affects the lighting has on the texture and shape of the lemon is amazing, at some points during the video it even becomes difficult for the viewer to distinguish what is actually being filmed due to the extreme differences created in texture due to the shadows.
OUR ADAPTATION OF 'THE LEMON': 'THE SHELL'
As a follow up on 'the lemon' video that we watched our class were separated into two small groups; a two and a three. Our task was to replicate the video of the lemon using our own object, in the case of my group this was a shell. The equipment we used consisted of a torch, the object we were filming, a camera and black sugar paper; during the stages of setting up to film prior we changed the settings on the camera, so that the focus on the skull was clearer due to the light conditions. Having made these appropriate changes the the image on screen became much clearer, the light source changed the shapes and position of the attached shadows and cast shadows.The plan was to create 'illuminative shadows' that would look highly effective from the lighting had shown and would ultimately look really effective
Mrs Shipp said... Has your new found knowledge about lighting helped you to make any decisions about the lighting in your film?
The knowledge I have gained about lighting has helped in establishing the use of the lights e.g. how to set them up and how to achieve the desired affects whilst using them. Further it also made me realise that when considering the lighting of my film there is a lot more to consider than I initially thought - natural lighting, artificial lighting, coloured gels, the strength of the gels, shadowing, types of shadows, the mood created through the lighting, the themes presented through lighting etc.
Once I began to consider these factors the atmosphere created within the film was a lot more successful as was the message of the film over all. I also became very aware of the power lighting can have on an audience, whether they realise it or not and after studying the lighting of TV shows, other short films and looking into the lighting of photographs I began to plan and was eventually completely decided on the lighting for my film. I chose to use a mixture of natural and artifical lighting within the film, I also chose to use blue gels and red gels to show a contrast between places within the film and to convey the central protagonists feelings.
Once I began to consider these factors the atmosphere created within the film was a lot more successful as was the message of the film over all. I also became very aware of the power lighting can have on an audience, whether they realise it or not and after studying the lighting of TV shows, other short films and looking into the lighting of photographs I began to plan and was eventually completely decided on the lighting for my film. I chose to use a mixture of natural and artifical lighting within the film, I also chose to use blue gels and red gels to show a contrast between places within the film and to convey the central protagonists feelings.
