Lighting
I looked at high key lighting and low key lighting to have an idea of how to create it, as we will end up using it in our films. I focused more on low key lighting, as it is conventional to a horror film, as it creates a dark, scary location.
High Key Lighting:
Is low drama which uses 1:1 ratios. It aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene, therefore it makes no shadows. |
Low key Lighting:
Is high drama. E.g. Silient film. It creates a relaxed atmosphere and has unbalnced ratios, therfore creates shadows. |
Three point Lighting
Key Light
- The light is always placed on one side of the object, in order to create the shadow on the other side.
- It is the most important light used in photography and cinematography.
The can be different angles of the key light used, which are shown below.
When the light is positioned at a low angle, distorts the feature of the object/character. On the pictures we can not only see a big and clear shadow but also the effect it has on the face (right). The cheekbones are highlighted and the nose has a big shadow, therefore making the character look more scary.
Key Light
- Fill light is placed on the other side of the camera and the key light
- It is used to fill the shadows and reduce the contrasT the scene.
- On the picture, it is clearly shown two shadows, one of them appearing softer and less bright, unlike the key light.
Back Light
- Back Light is placed behind the object
- It highlights the silhouette and outline of the subject
- Separates the object from the background, therefore creating a 3D effect
- On the picture, you can see the shadows twice bigger than the character itself. In my opinion, this is effective for a horror film, as the character would see big and dangerous.
Experimenting with backgrounds
We looked at the effect of different backgrounds- white and black and discusses if it plays a big role in filming.
Reflectors
A reflector is a surface used to redirect light towards a given subject.
Cinematography
Cinematography is what action happens in the frame
There are 4 main elements of Cinematography:
1. Framing
-how the frame is shot. E.g. Canted shot
2. Camera Work
-how the camera is angled. E.g. Tracking and Tilt
3. Shot Distance
-the distance of the camera to the action. E.g. Mid shot and long shot
4. Format
-what device the camera is attached to. E.g. Digital and super 16
There are 4 main elements of Cinematography:
1. Framing
-how the frame is shot. E.g. Canted shot
2. Camera Work
-how the camera is angled. E.g. Tracking and Tilt
3. Shot Distance
-the distance of the camera to the action. E.g. Mid shot and long shot
4. Format
-what device the camera is attached to. E.g. Digital and super 16
Camera Shots
Our group filmed different camera shots to understand the difference of shots and to familiarise ourselves with them and how can they be used to communicate something to an audience.
Below are some still images from the different shots and later the different shots put together into one video.
Below are some still images from the different shots and later the different shots put together into one video.
Extreme Close Up
What worked and what didn't
At first, my partner and I filmed the different types of shots and didn't succeed because there was a lot of movement and we made it too complicated. We had time in the end, as we were the first to finish, so we tried filming the shots again, this time with less action and movement. In order to understand how to film the different shots, you don't have to decide on a plot or story line. We therefore, shot the different shots in a corridor without people and kept it simple- girl reading her book and then opening her locker. Whilst this happens, different shots are used and filmed.
We watched back the first cut and then the second and a big difference could be noticed. The second try was so much better, it was simple and clear to the audience of where and when the shots were used, therefore we decided to keep our second try.
We watched back the first cut and then the second and a big difference could be noticed. The second try was so much better, it was simple and clear to the audience of where and when the shots were used, therefore we decided to keep our second try.