Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
For every location in your piece, you will have a color palette that will defi ne the
emotion in the scene. The color of the scene may set one mood that remains constant
throughout the scene or the color may change with the emotion of the character or the
rising intensity of the action to support specifi c moments in the story.
Lighting.
The most important element to creating the mood of your piece is light.
Many cinematographers refer to light as the paint for their canvas, the screen. Light is
what shows or hides important details, defi nes shapes, or controls direction. Light sets
the atmosphere, the tone, and the drama of the scene through the quality and intensity
of the light.
The quality of light is usually described as hard or soft. A hard light is characterized
by a high contrast of bright light, dark shadows, and sharp edges.
Film Noir
is an
example of hard light. Hard light creates energy, excitement, suspense, and tension. A
soft light is characterized by lower contrast and softer, diffused shadows. Soft lights are
often used for more natural settings where the environment requires a more even lighting
situation. A soft light is calming. It can also evoke beauty, innocence, tranquility, and
romance.
The intensity of the light refers to the overall brightness of light in a scene and the
relative amount of fall-off of the light into shadow. The intensity of light is identifi ed as
low key and high key.
A scene that is low key is dark. It is high in contrast, often lit by a single light source
creating deep shadows and patterns of light. The fall-off from light to dark is rapid.
Foreground objects are typically seen in silhouette. The most common use of low key
lighting is nighttime or stormy weather. However, low key lighting can also create a
mood of suspense or alienation. Many horror or thriller fi lms use low key lighting to
create the sense of foreboding. Low key lighting can also be used in lower energy
scenes that evoke sadness, isolation, or depression.
High key lighting is bright with light shadows. It is low in contrast. Associated with day-
light, high key lighting usually evokes a cheerful, high energy atmosphere but can also
support a range of moods. When bright enough it can also be glaring, harsh, or hot.
Interiors that use high key lighting include corporate offi ces, grocery stores, hospitals,
and institutions. The light in these environments is fl at with little fall-off from foreground
to background, creating a clean or sterile atmosphere.
How we choose to light a scene is subjective. Most lighting situations are balanced
between light and dark, in the medium grey range, because that is what is considered
normal. Altering your lighting situations has dramatic impact on the emotion of your
scene. For instance, you might consider using hard lights with low key for a panicked
chase scene at night. Or you might use high keys and soft light for that lazy picnic in
the country.
One other factor affecting the energy of the light in your scene is color. All lights
have color. Interior lights tend to be yellow while sunlight is white. Fluorescent lights
are green. Monitors and television sets emit a blue light. The color of the light will
affect the mood of the piece, creating a natural or unnatural setting.
