Film Noir - Pre-Production - Lighting

In pretty much all media aspects, lighting plays a very important role to a scene. It can light up areas that the audience needs to be drawn to or it can be used to hide character's visual appearance but still make them noticable. There are two form of lighting and these are natural light, which is found directly or indirectly from the sun, and artificial light which is produced from electrical lights that are used by film crews or even a lamp or light based on a celing that is part of a set.

The lighting kits that the media department provide for the productions are very basic but can be used efficiently when used at full potential. These lighting kits can take a while to set up but when used appropriately many different effects can be achieved. Along with health and safety factors, other factors contributing to the lights performance can change the way in which light is distributed throughout a set. If the scene is externally filmed then factors of natural light come into the equation and can disrupt the artificial light's purpose. Even internally artificial lights can be disrupted by the simplest of things such as a white wall, the light may reflect off the wall and cause other areas to light up.

When filming our production these factors need to be taken into consideration if the right effects want to be used, and used well.

3 Point Lighting
A popular technique used throughout the media world is called 3 point lighting, in which three lights are used to create an effect. The first main light is called the key light, this is the most strongest and influentual light of the three and provides the 'key' light source. The next light is called the fill light, this basically combines with the key light, as it is opposite, to add another dose of artificial light to a scene and add that extra needed visibility to a shot if needs be. The final light is called the back lght, this is placed behind the back of a shot but not in direct view of the camera. This can provide the final addition to lighting a scene and gives a full sense of lighting within a shot. The three lights corralate into a triangle and provides sufficient detail to a well lit character in a camera shot.
However, not all of the lights have to be used. This can provide necessary effects to a camera shot, for example, if only the backlight is used then the front of the character appears shadowed and can make the desired character look more mysterious as the facial expression, features and dexterity are not easily recognised.

Health and safety aspects
Certain elements of safety need to be taken into consideration when using a lighting kit.
Rule 1 - work the light at your own working height level as this will ensure full control over the light.
Rule 2 - the powerlead must hang down. If tangled then this could cause the light to fall over.
Rule 3 - make sure the barndoor is level with the leg. In case of a collision, this will provide the necessary safety to the individual that has knocked the light.
Rule 4 - never use light ouside.
Rule 5 - before you plug in the surge protector, press the yellow button followed by the red and the repeat the yellow. This tests the protector is working properly to ensure that it won't cause any damage to the entry point of electrical devices.