Lighting ScenariosLighting ScenariosLecture prepared 9/8/10

by John M. Grace,film worker and instructor

D.A.T.A. Charter High SchoolAlbuquerque, NM© 2010, John M. Grace

All Rights Reservedfor use availability,

email Newestprod@aol.com

A Basic Grip/Electric Package

The goal for a Gaffer or Cinematographer The goal for a Gaffer or Cinematographer should be to make the lighting appear should be to make the lighting appear organic. Good lighting should look natural organic. Good lighting should look natural and not call attention to itself. The best and not call attention to itself. The best tribute that I can receive is for people to tribute that I can receive is for people to think a scene was lighted entirely with think a scene was lighted entirely with natural light and not to notice my work. natural light and not to notice my work. Above and following are some lighting Above and following are some lighting diagrams from classic films.diagrams from classic films.

Harry Potter

A fun exercise for students is to take scenes from popular films and to imagine the lighting used for the scene

Cam

eraLab Table

Harry PotterFresnelBack Light

Fresnel Bounce Fill

Fresnel Key Light

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

FluoroescentFluoroescent

300w Fresnel

Cam

era

Women Without Men

Women Without Men

Cam

era

Fresnel

300w Fresnel

Forty Shades of Blue

Fresnel

Forty Shades of Blue

Cam

era

BAR

Practical

Fresnel

Soft Box

Practical

Charlie Wilson’s War

Fresnel

Charlie Wilson’s War

Cam

era

Practical

Fresnel

Fresnel

Soft Box

Boys Town

Cam

eraDESK

FresnelHMI

Boy’s TownFresnel

FresnelFresnel

Soft Box

The Grass Grows Green

Cam

eraDESK

The Grass Grows GreenFresnel

FresnelFresnel

Casablanca

Have your students try creating a lighting plot for these or other scenes for experience

Casablanca

Inception

Raisin in the Sun

Three Penny Opera