A director can affect the mood of a scene not only through editing and camera angles but also through various lighting styles. For example, lighting might be bright – making eyes sparkle or creating a pleasant mood – or it might be dimmed, to create shadows for a more spooky, sinister mood. Think of the use of lighting in ‘The Others’ particularly. Even scenes shot outside may have extra lighting added to create the right atmosphere.
Different colours of lighting can be used to affect the mood: blue and red are often creepy, for example. This can be done by using coloured lights or by treating the film after shooting.
The angle of the lighting can also be altered for effect:
Underlighting is when the main lighting comes from underneath or from the side. This is used in horror films to create shadows and distort appearance, much like shining a torch beneath your chin to scare your younger brother or sister.
Toplighting is when the main lighting comes from above – this brightens the look of things and gives a pleasant atmosphere.
Backlighting is when the main lighting comes from behind the subject – this can create silhouettes and a mysterious mood.
TASK: Look at the film stills below and answer the following questions by filling in the grid uploaded (also below):
When you have completed the grid, take a look at the clips.
Make notes on 1) what type of lighting you can identify and 2) how the lighting adds to the atmosphere of the scene. What connotations does the lighting hold?
Can you think of any other film clips that use lighting in an effective way? (Hint: horror is particularly good at this!)
Different colours of lighting can be used to affect the mood: blue and red are often creepy, for example. This can be done by using coloured lights or by treating the film after shooting.
The angle of the lighting can also be altered for effect:
Underlighting is when the main lighting comes from underneath or from the side. This is used in horror films to create shadows and distort appearance, much like shining a torch beneath your chin to scare your younger brother or sister.
Toplighting is when the main lighting comes from above – this brightens the look of things and gives a pleasant atmosphere.
Backlighting is when the main lighting comes from behind the subject – this can create silhouettes and a mysterious mood.
TASK: Look at the film stills below and answer the following questions by filling in the grid uploaded (also below):
- Which of them use bright lighting and which used dimmed lighting?
- Which of the stills use underlighting; toplighting; backlighting?
- What is the atmosphere of each still? Do you think the lighting has contributed to it? How?
When you have completed the grid, take a look at the clips.
Make notes on 1) what type of lighting you can identify and 2) how the lighting adds to the atmosphere of the scene. What connotations does the lighting hold?
Can you think of any other film clips that use lighting in an effective way? (Hint: horror is particularly good at this!)