Lighting

Lighting

Light is a fundamental part of any cinematic experience as it helps to create mood, drama, and suspense. lighting remains crucial to the success of both black and white classics and modern Technicolor blockbusters. Its greatest impact, however, is in the horror genre. From the earliest days of German impressionist films such as Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1919) and Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau’s Nosferatu (1921) to Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) and Donahue, Leonard and William’s Blair Witch Project (2002), the light – or in many cases the lack of it – has been integral to creating the fear factor. In horror films light is commonly used to reveal or conceal the object of horror by employing various lighting techniques

Silhouette

the use of a bright light source behind the figure allows it become a dark figure void of any features or expression of mood. It is the menacing posture of figure with the occasional use of colour that creates suspense. 

Uplighting

the lighting of a figure or face from below creates heavy shadowing to the face especially to the eyes, nose and brow. Distorting our perception of human features generates a feeling of unease and mistrust.

Spotlighting

spotlighting a figure, especially from behind, is similar to the use of silhouette by limiting recognisable features. It is often the use of shadows and the figure’s posture that creates a sense of foreboding as you realise that this is that place you must enter – and wherein the terror lies.

Shadow the use of

projected shadow creeping along a surface creates tension and fear. While you do not see the figure directly, the distorted shadow exaggerates its features and feeds the imagination

Angles

Back lighting

The main light source comes from behind the character

It is used to create a silhouette. The character can be made to look mysterious due to the effect of the shadows. It can create a sense of impending doom and is often used in horror movies.

Key and fill lighting

It is the main light source in a particular scene

It is usually directed onto the main character. Fill lighting can be added to soften the effect of shadows

Under-lighting

The main light source comes from below the character.

Top lighting

The main light source comes from above the character

It is used to remove shadows produced by the key lighting. It can also create the illusion of a bright, sunny day

Side lighting

The main light source comes from one side of the screen

It is used to light one side of the character’s face and produces shadows across the set, creating a sense of mystery.

As my key role in the production of the film is to assure that the production set is correctly set up, I have taken up the role to assure that the lighting is correctly used to produce an appropriate atmosphere. I will mainly be using spotlighting, under lighting and low key. I will also be using red gel during the attack scene to give a sense of danger and the idea of blood being shed and filling the room