Lighting

[simonG]

Hi.

I'm a new super8 user in the UK.

I'm currently storyboarding for my first short, a combination of moving and still images set to a piece of music by the Ninjatune artist DJ Food, with a narrative by Ken Nordine. (check out ninja tune.net and listen to the song online if you fancy it; the track is The Ageing Young Rebel on the albums Kalaidescope or Xen cuts disc 2)

anyway I digress.

I want to light the film well. perhaps with a nod to film noir (excuse pretentiousness). However I am very poor (aaaahhhhh!). I'm basically quite confused since though I envisage a dark atmosphere on screen, I understand that film can require plenty of light to look good. Where do I find a happy medium between sufficient lighting and an oppressive atmosphere.

I'm aware of the lowbudget 3 point lighting system, but there is very little info on the net that explains what lighting arrangement creates what effect. I'm talking literally, as in their positionings, strengths, gels used etc

I am planning on experimenting to find out for myself, but time is limited so lots of info now will help a great deal in the future in terms of efficiency.

If no-one knows specifically, then an equally useful thing would be some explaination of how atmosphere was achieved on other films. (again I mean literally...what lights were where etc)

I appreciate not evryone knows this stuff and those who do may not want to share it for free, but any advice would be welcome

Cheers

[sunrise]

Hi Simon,

welcome to the wonderfull world of Super8!

What you should be looking for is a high contrast / low altitude film. Film noir effects requires powerfull lights, but you will have the oppertunity to lower the f-stop to create the wonderfull blacks.

Try picking up a book like "Reflections: Twenty-One Cinematographers At Work" by Benjamin Bergery.

Good luck,
michael

[TomFoolery]

another book to check out "Painting with Light" by John Alton.

"Its technological discussions are dated, but Painting With Light remains relevant because its primary focus is on light itself and the many complex ways the camera crew can manipulate it." - from Amazon.

I would agree, many pages are given to out of date lighting rigs, but his philosophies of lighting is priceless. And he specialized in Film Noir!

[Freya]

Wow I love Ken Nordine he is wonderful!

I listen to the colours album when I feel depressed sometimes and it always makes me feel happy!

love

Freya

[Scotness]

There's some good notes on lighting Super8 from Matt Pacini here:
http://www.mango-a-gogo.com/inmyimage/imaglink.htm#matt

Scot

[mattias]

there is very little info on the net that explains what lighting arrangement creates what effect. I'm talking literally, as in their positionings, strengths, gels used etc

that's because it depends. there's no direct correlation between dramatic effect and setup. there is however a direct correlation between look and setup, so if you tell us what look you want i'll give you some advice on how to achieve it. you may think your descripition of film noir and dark atmosphere is a look but it isn't, it's a dramatic effect. if it's which look you should light for to get this effect you want to know, let us know that too and we'll leave the exact positioning of the lights on the side for a while. many people here have lots and lots of experience in lighting on various levels of professionalism, and we'd all love to share.

/matt

[simong]

cheers boys (and girls?)

i'll take all that board...much appreciated.

Mattias... I see what yr saying , you're right.

Im at work mon to Fri so must sneak my posts in. I will however find time to give you as best a description as I can of how I want the film to look. I might even upload a couple of story boards I've drawn.

keep on stanby..heheheh