Post Twelve: Workshop Two

Aim of workshop: Students to undertake and record research into 'direction' and 'quality' of lighting through practical experimentation.

In order to complete our preperation in terms of lighting for the creation of our short film we particiapted in a second workshop revolving around lighting. For the duration of this workshop we worked using a PD150 SONY. 

Within the workshop we split what we would be learning about into two main elements which we would focus on.

an example of a 'soft shadow'



an example of a 'hard shadow'

The first element was quality; this involves focusing on the intensity of the illumination for example hard lighting. Hard lighting is a direct light source creating bold shadows with crisp textures and edges. The second element to the quality of
lighting includes soft lighting, this is indirect light which blurs contours and textures and there are softer contrasts and shadows between the light and shade.

The direction of light focuses on the specific light source and where it has been positioned in order to make the shot. For example how it bounces off the different surfaces after being positioned at either the front, back, side or above. Ultimately every light source has a point where it is at its brightest.

Madonna - Vogue video

img1 an example of 'soft lighting'

After this we then watched Madonna's 'Vogue' music video - after watching and analysing this music video we identified the different light sources used within the video as well as analysing the use and how effective the useage was in terms of the style of the video. The video uses a film noir style as well as using a range of soft light sources



img2 exmaple of 'hard lighting'



 this in turn leads to the bluring of contours and different textures within the shots - altough this is applicable to several shots within this video it is most noticeable in img1 (above), the defined shapes that are usualy viewable on a person's face are less clear as well as the curvatures within the shot and the person's clothing - these effects are due to the soft lighting illuminating the whole of the image. 

***WRITE ABOUT IMG2***

The next step we took as a class was to create our own video clips using what we had learnt about the direction and quality of lighting - within this process to allow the filming to run smoothly we decide to allocate job roles to everyone so that there was no confusion whilst filming.

Director – Coordinates the group to achieve the experiment.

Camera – Set up and position the camera, and record evidence.
Clapper – Writes “boards” to notify the audience what they are watching. Also helps Recorder.
Recorder – Notes down the experiments variables and monitors decisions and revisions made.
Gaffer – Positioning of light and equipment.

Finally before filming we established what equiptment we would need as well as gathering and discussing as a group what the variety of equiptment we got would help us create in our different shots - the equiptment we gathered:
• Mini DV camera
• Tripod
• Batteries
• Base plate
• Tape
• Laminated whiteboards and marker pens
• 1x lowel pro 250W lamp
• 1x stand
• Extension lead
• Barn doors
• Torch
• Black wrap and crock clips
• White materials and tin foil
• Safety gloves

MANIPULATING DIRECTION


Manipulating direction - this video presents the range of light sources that we had access to that we used within our workshop, it shows the affect the light sources had on the background with which we filmed and the person with whom we filmed.



DIFFUSION


***WRITE ABOUT VID 2***


BLACK SUGAR PAPER PLUS

***WRITE ABOUT VID 3***




VOGUE, SPOT AND FLOOD



***WRITE ABOUT VID 4***



DIRECTION


***WRITE ABOUT VID 5***

After analysing the different elements of lighting and defining the quality and direct aspects to lighting by understanding has improved dramatically. I now have a better understanding of the different effects of lighting and how it can change the films affect and tone easily. When it comes to creating our own short films it is important for us to consider the different light sources available and how they will in due course help convey different moods for the characters. The workshop has made me realise that during the planning for our short film we need to consider the lighting and how effective it will be. It is also important for us to remember and use the different types of equipment to manipulate the light. This includes using barn doors and light diffusers.