Lighting for Digital Film DFVB 133

quarter Fall 2014

instructor Mr. Jason Goldston

jgoldston@aii.edu

office hours: Friday 12:00 - 1:00 (By Appointment ONLY)

hours and

credits

Friday, 10:00 am – 4:50 pm

Rm. # 2088 (Video Studio)

Course length: 11 weeks – Contact hours: 60 hrs. (20 lecture/ 40

lab) – Credit value: 4 credits

Quarter credit hour def in it ion: A quarter credit hour is an

amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and

verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally

established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

(1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a

minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for

10-12 weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different

amount of time; or

(2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph

(1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by

the institution including laboratory work, internships, practical, studio

work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours

course

description

Students learn the basic creative and technical aspects of lighting for digital video, with an emphasis on lighting design. Topics include lighting types and accessories (gripology: scrims, flags and gobos), lighting styles, lighting moods, lighting schematics, set eti-quette and safety in the studio and on location.

course

objectives

• Identify and properly use different types of lighting equip-ment.

• Ability to know how and when to use gels, diffusion, and camera filters.

• Use light modifiers to define and control the quality and quantity of light in conjunction with the exposure and shutter speed of the camera.

• Ability to create different lighting styles and moods. • Ability to properly use available light with bounce/negative

bounce. • Diagram lighting schematics for various lighting situations. • Ability to dissect the lighting setup in a photo or painting. • Demonstrate set and electrical safety procedures for studio

and on location productions. • Understand and follow proper set etiquette and set slang

terminology.

instructional

materials &

references

Required Textbook

The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Com-prehensive Guide for the Digital Age: 2013 Edition Paperback by Steven Ascher, (2012) ISBN-10: 0452297281

Motion Picture and Video Lighting

By: Blain Brown

ISBN: 978-0-240-80763-8

(2007)

(DVD-ROM includes media files)

Digital Version:

Kindle edition available

Materials

• Work Gloves (in your kit. If not, buy some)

• 1 - SDHC card (for recording video projects)

• Gel Pack (in your kit?)

• Notebook/pens/pencils (take notes)

Recommended Reading:

Light - Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting By: Fil Hunter (2007) ISBN-10: 978-0-123-70638-6

The Grip Book, 4th Edition By: Michael Uva (2009) ISBN: 978-0-240-81291-5 Set Lighting Technician's Handbook, Fourth Edi-tion: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Elec-trical Distribution By: Harry Box (2010) ISBN: 978-0240810751

Additional reading material for assignments may be handed out by the instructor.

Ai attendance

policy

The Art Institute of Tennessee’s attendance policy is designed to

meet the requirements of state and regional accreditation, to adhere

to the mission and goals of the organization, and to improve the

academic performance of the student body through adherence to

industry and educational standards of personal and professional

development. Faculty members are required to record attendance

accurately per their accredited Art Institutes, government, and

accreditation requirements.

Attendance is directly tied to academic performance. Excessive

absenteeism can result in severe academic penalties, including a

failing grade for a course or removal from the course. Should

absence be necessary, students are responsible for course material

covered during the time of absence.

Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes,

including the first class of the quarter. Students may drop or add

classes during the first week of the quarter. Students who fail to

drop a class during drop/add period will be financially responsible for

the cost of the class. Students who do not attend any of their

classes during the drop/add period will be withdrawn from the

college.

Students who miss seven total consecutive days of all scheduled

classes, or 20 total calendar days from the date of last attendance in

all scheduled courses (whichever is less), will be terminated from the

college.

Students who miss seven total consecut ive days of a l l

scheduled classes, or 20 total calendar days from the

date of last attendance in a l l scheduled courses (which-

ever is less), wi l l be terminated from the col lege. Students

have one week to appeal the drop for attendance reasons before

the Registrar processes the drop. Students in the process of ap-

pealing the attendance drop should continue going to class until the

appeal process is final and the student is reinstated. If there are any

questions, check with the Registrar’s office. Attendance data are

available for review through the office of the registrar or through the

academic affairs office.

Students are required to attend all classes, to arrive on time, to

come rested and prepared to work and to stay for the duration of

class. Once a student has 3 absences, they will be notified by their

instructor that they are on probation and in danger of being dropped

from the course.

Class

attendance

policy

absences

There are no excused absences. It is the students

responsibility to make up any missed information due to absences.

For each full day of class (lab & lecture) students can earn a total of

ten (10) points. The points are divided as 5 points for lecture and 5

points for lab. Additional points may be taken off for arriving late,

leaving before class is dismissed or taking longer than the allotted

break time.

For instance, if a student attends the entire lecture & misses the lab,

the student earns 5 point for the day. If a student arrives 30 minutes

late to lecture and stays till lab is dismissed, the student earns 9

points for the day.

In the case of a personal emergency - a major illness, accident or

death - please notify instructor as soon as possible and keep

accurate documentat ion. Any problems caused by your

absence will be addressed when you return to class.

If you know you will be absent, you must make arrangements to turn

in your assignment for that day early. Either place it on the student

server & then email the instructor the location of the assignment for

grading, or have a fellow student turn it in for you on the due date.

If you are absent, the project assignments for the following week are

still due. The assignments are clearly laid out in the syllabus and the

student knows what is due and when.

attendance & participation

breakdown

Here are the behaviors that count: • asking questions

• answering questions

• making comments (extra points for comments that relate to material in the text, and for sharing relevant experiences)

Here are the value-added behaviors—the ones the put your contributions over the top:

• responding to something another student says (including answering a question asked by a student)

• constructively disagreeing with something in the text or said in class by me or another student

And there are behaviors to avoid:

• not listening

• pretending to be listening while texting or cruising online

• speaking without being recognized

• making fun or otherwise berating something said by another person.

class policies professionalism

In the workplace, you will be expected to be on time and to meet all

deadlines. Nothing less is expected in this classroom. Come to class

on time and prepared.

Cell phones & wireless devices are to be turned OFF.

No calls or messaging of any kind while class is in session. If you are

expecting an emergency call, please let the instructor know before

class begins. If you need to take an emergency call or text, please

exit the classroom before answering.

No laptops allowed during class. You will need paper & pens to take

notes. Not having a pen is considered unprepared and will be

docked from your participation points. If you have no pen, you will

be directed to the Bookstore to purchase a pen.

No food is allowed in the classroom.

YOU are responsible for your OWN work. Do NOT use others to do your

assignment work for you.

We will take breaks when necessary. You may ask for a break any

time during class. You can use your wireless devices during the

breaks.

Be respectful to your fellow students. They may be your future co-

workers one day. If you show respect, you will receive respect.

deadlines

There IS NO MAKE UP AT WORK, show up with assignments on time. All work

is due at the beginning of class--no exceptions. NO LATE

ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED. If you do not turn in work at the beginning

of class, points will be deducted (-16 pts per hour until the end of class). If

you are not able to attend class, submitting your work to me

BEFORE CLASS TIME is required.

Missing deadlines or appointments completely earns a zero. This applies to

tests as wells as assignments.

Turning in work done by someone else is considered plagiarism and earns

a zero.

disability services The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville (AiTN) provides accommoda-tions to qualified students with disabilities. The Disability Services office assists qualified students with disabilities in acquiring reasonable and appro-priate accommodations and in supporting equal access to services, pro-grams and activities at AiTN.

Students who seek reasonable accommodations should notify the Office of Disability Support Services, 1-855-855-0567 or dss@aii.edu of their specific limitations and, if known, their specific requested accommodations. Stu-dents will be asked to supply medical documentation of the need for ac-commodation. Classroom accommodations are not retroactive, but are effective only upon the student sharing approved accommodations with the instructor. Therefore, students are encouraged to request accommodations as early as feasible with the Disability Services Coordinator to allow for time to gather necessary documentation.

If you have a concern or complaint in this regard, please contact Dr.

Douglas Lange, Dean of Students, at dolange@aii.edu or telephone number

615.514.3884. Complaints will be handled in accordance with the school’s

Internal Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Discrimination and

Harassment.

Equipment safety

and

responsibility

Students should thoroughly check all the pieces of equipment to make sure that everything works properly before leaving the equipment room. Once you have taken the equipment and left the equipment room, you are com-pletely responsible for any damage and loss of equipment, and you will be charged for the repair or replacement by the equipment room. Transferring of equipment from one person (group) to another without equipment room permission is not allowed. If it happens with equipment room permission, the responsibility should also transfer to the next person in writing.

1. Never leave any piece of equipment unattended during checking out from and returning to the equipment room. 2. During the transportation, never leave equipment in the car or an where else unattended. 3. Never leave cameras over night in a place (a car, a room) unattended. 4. On film set, always engage the latches or zippers of camera cases prop-erly and professionally. 5. On film set, never leave a camera alone for a second without direct at-tention and protection. 6. On film set, never start filming without thoroughly checking, securing, and testing all locks and stability for all equipment involved, including cam-eras, tripods, lights, stands, etc. 7. Never leave a film set without double checking and counting all pieces of equipment. 8. In case of any accident, damage, or missing of equipment, report the details in writing to the equipment room and the instructor immediately.

Access to equipment will be suspended in case of violating/neglecting equipment safety policies.

grading A 100-93% B+ 89-87% C+ 79-77% D+ 69-66%

A- 92-90% B 86-83% C 76-73% D 65-60%

B- 82-80% C- 72-70% F below 60%

grade breakdown

class work and projects

exams

class participation

pop quizzes

40%

40%

15%

5%

WEEK Lecture/Lab ASSIGNMENT

one

Lecture - Introduction to class. Syllabus Overview.

Book – p.01 Introduction to Light: History of

Lighting

Book – p.203 Lamps & Sockets

Lab - Unpacking the Arri light kit; Terms for all the

parts of the kit & lamp. 3-Point Lighting, 2-Point

lighting & 1-Point lighting examples.

01: Each student will demonstrate the ability

to light a unique interview subject with the

three point lighting setup.

- focus is learning how the position of the light

affects the throw of the light & shadow.

two Lecture - Book – p.128 Properties of Light:

Judging color, brightness & contrast, light &

shadow.

Lab - 4-point lighting setup; Background Lighting

techniques (Corporate light streak, Venetian Blinds

Effect, Window Panes, Tree Limbs); Basic use of

colored gels and creating cookies.

Project 1 due

02: Students will demonstrate ability to make

a variety of pleasing backgrounds with back

ground lights. Multiple shot sizes and angles

are to be recorded and then cut together for

viewing to see how well the shots cut

together.

- focus is on learning/ practicing proper

background lighting setup for shots.

three

Lecture - Book – p. 173 Gripology: Lighting &

Grip equipment & terminology.

Lab - Use of gels & filters (CTO, CTB, ND,

Polarizing Filter, etc.).

Project 2 due

03: Students will demonstrate ability to control

sunlight on an exterior shot using reflectors

and bounce. Multiple shot sizes and angles

are to be recorded and then cut together for

viewing to see how well the shots cut

together.

- focus is on ability to modify exterior lighting

to properly expose a subject.

four

Lecture - Book – p.35 Light Behavior

Lab - Lighting Interior setting incorporating Exterior lighting. Introduction to the soft box.

Project 3 due

04: Students will select an INTERIOR

environment and incorporate an EXTERIOR

(window, door, etc.). A person involved in an

activity will move through the frame. Students

will demonstrate their ability to control

balance, color temperature and latitude.

Multiple shot sizes and angles are to be

recorded and then cut together for viewing to

see how well the lighting matches from shot to

shot.

-focus is on effectively controlling the lighting

in an environment.

five

Mid-term

Lecture – Written (Know gripology!)

Lab – Practical

Project 4 due

05: Student will demonstrate the ability to light

a scene in high key and a scene in low key.

-focus is on ability of student to create 2 very

different, but widely used, lighting setups.

six Lecture - Book – p.99 Exposure Theory. Scene

Lighting.

Lab – Product lighting. Lighting miniatures. Lighting

a water glass.

Project 5 due

06: Students will create a lighting schematic of

a miniature scene or product shot and then

light the scene according to the schematic.

This can be a product shot or a miniature.

Multiple shot sizes and angles are to be

recorded and then cut together for viewing to

see how well the lighting matches from shot to

shot.

- focus is on use of lighting techniques in

miniature.

seven

Lecture - Book – p.149 Electricity. Electrical

safety. On set Etiquette.

Lab - Book – Carrying a light.

Project 6 due

07: Students will demonstrate the ability to

believably light a scene in which it appears all

light is coming from 1 or more practical’s in

the shot. This will include a wide establishing

shot, and dialogue scene with another person.

Will be graded on ability to light the characters

while maintaining light source believability.

- focus is on realistically carrying a light.

eight Lecture – Book – p.58 Basic Scene Lighting.

Lighting Styles. Lighting Schematics

Lab – Quickly demonstrating a variety of different

lighting setups for genres (Romantic, SciFi, Horror,

Comedy, Action)

Project 7 due

08: Class divided into two large groups.

Students will select a wide INTERIOR shot,

with three or more people sitting at a table. A

different lighting style must be created for

each person in the group.

(ex. Film Noir, Romantic, TV Sitcom, etc.)

Each lighting style will have multiple shot sizes

and angles and be shot and then cut together

for viewing to see how well the lighting

matches from shot to shot.

- focus is on learning to effectively recreate

different lighting types.

nine

Lecture - Book – p.190 Team and Set

Operations. Camera and Monitor calibration. Video

Engineer and DIT. How to read Waveform monitors

and vector scopes. Lighting for Chroma Key.

Lab - Night Exteriors. Firelight, flashlight, candle

light. Professional chroma key lighting.

Project 8 due

09: Students will demonstrate ability to

effectively light three different night scenes

and matching shots. Utilizing the techniques

discussed and shown in class.

- focus is on ability to effectively match lighting

& exposure from multiple setups.

ten

Lecture - State of the industry as a freelance

grip/electric/director of photography.

Project 9 due

eleven FINAL TEST

Instructor reserves the right to change the schedule at any time.

How to

export

All f i les must be compressed before being turned in. After export from Premiere,

open the .mov file in Quicktime. Go to File > Export for Web. Select ONLY Desktop

& click export. The resulting .m4v file will be the one turned in.

Lighting

schematic

example

http://www.lightingdiagrams.com/ http://www.mac-on-campus.com/LightingDiagramTool.aspx ALL details must be noted:

1. Placement of all equipment used (lights, camera, Modifiers, etc.) 2. Type of light & wattage, 3. Any modifiers used (Gels, scrims, nets, flags, diffusion, etc.) 4. ISO/ASA of camera 5. F-stop of camera 6. Shutter speed of camera

resources http://www.reelbutter.com/Tools.html http://www.indymogul.com/ http://filmmakeriq.com/category/production/lighting http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/02/robert-rodriguez-master-cheapskate.html http://www.gaffersglass.com/instructions.php http://www.ascmag.com/store/home.php?cat=261 http://www.lowel.com/edu/ http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=articles&cat=11 http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/roscolux.asp http://www.stagespot.com/downloads/FilterFacts_06.pdf http://focalpress.com/Book.aspx?id=14738 http://www.realknots.com/knots/ http://www.filmtools.com/ http://www.studiodepot.com/store/ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ http://www.markertek.com/ http://www.digibroadcast.com/home.php http://www.lightingdiagrams.com/