Calling Card Lighting Cambridge Project

 Research

Lighting is a very important mise-en-scene element in the world of filming. When it is used properly it can drastically improve the quality of a film. Some effects of using it correctly include establishing the time of a setting, setting up the mood and tone, and enhancing character traits and themes.

One of the main types of lighting that is commonly used in mystery films is low-key lighting because it sets up a dark atmosphere and tone. It is also used to make scenes feel more suspenseful and impactful towards the audience. Another main type of lighting that is used includes practical lighting which is lighting that appears as part of a scene(Ex: Lamps, candles, flashlights, etc.) because it helps ground the film and makes it appear more realistic to the audience and helps immerse them. A technique that is used very often in mystery films are silhouettes which hide the face and create a dark outline of a character (Usually the antagonist) to develop the mystery and make the character appear mysterious and threatening. 

One of the main types of lighting that is commonly used in action films is high-key lighting because it allows the audience to clearly see all of the stunts and choreography of the scene. This helps clarify what is happening so that viewers do not get confused during fights or chase scenes. Another main type of lighting that is used includes natural lighting which is lighting that comes from a natural source (Main ex: Sunlight) and is used to increase immersion by creating a sense of realism and helps ground a film. A technique that is used very often in action films is backlighting(Sometimes called Hero lighting) which is when there is a bright light behind the hero and creates a glowing outline to make the characters appear powerful and iconic.

High and Low Key Lighting

Practical Lighting

                                                          Natural Lighting

Silhouette

                                                                 Backlighting (Hero Lighting)

 

Lighting that is going to be used

For our film opening we have decided to incorporate lowkey lighting for the introduction of our antagonist and combine it with a half silhouette to properly set up the fact that he is the antagonist and make him seem like a threat. We have also decided to use a mix of high key lighting and natural lighting for the rest of the opening so that we can make it clear who the protagonists are and what they are doing. Below are the ideas of how we are going to use them.

We are going to have the antagonist seem similar to this except have a mask instead of blackening out his face so it not an entire silhouette but is highly based off of it. 

  We are going to have the light shine through the windows like in the image onto the couch where one of the protagonists is gonna be laying so that the lighting seems natural and increase the realism within the opening.