Lighting

 

1) Still image analysis

Look at the still images on slides 33-37 of the Film Language Powerpoint linked above. Copy the images into your blog and answer the following questions for each image:

1. Identify examples of high and low-key lighting.
2. Say which depict top, back or under lighting.
3. What effects are created by the lighting in each image?     

Note: if the images don't display correctly in your blog then simply use the number of each image and answer the three questions for each.

-uses lowkey lighting
-uses top lighting on the left to create a big shadow on the right 
-it accentuates her face structure to show she may be a femme fatale as she's holding a cigarette

 

-uses high-key lighting 
-uses top lighting 
-creates an effect of power and him being superior 
-warrior like
-top lights makes shadows under his eyes to make them darker to show he is tough

-uses lowkey lighting
-uses top lighting
-creates an effect of superiority and power as he is presented as a strong being and the use of a lower angle helps to identify his power 

-uses lowkey lighting
-uses under lighting
-a shadow is created by putting the light on the left side of her which creates an enigma code because maybe she's hiding from something so it creates mystery between the image and the audience

-uses lowkey lighting
-uses back lighting

-a dark surrounding is created to make the image more intimate and close

-only natural lighting is used from outside coming through the blinds

-uses high-key lighting

-uses back lighting

-creates an enigma code as you don't know who is emerging from the extreme light as it creates shadows and silhouettes

-uses lowkey lighting

-uses back and front lighting

-creates a creepy effect as the image is in monochrome and the woman looks scared or she could also maybe be a femme fatale

-uses high-key lighting

-uses top lighting

-the effect from the top lighting creates a shadow under her neck to accentuate her facial features more

-uses lowkey lighting

-uses back lighting

-the use of back lighting creates an effect where the figure is emerging from the darkness and creates a silhouette

-this effect creates an enigma code as the audience don't know who's coming out the doorway

-uses high-key lighting

-uses front lighting

-the use of the front lighting creates a shadow behind the two people to create the idea they're intimate and close to each other

2) Film noir research 

Research film noir - focusing on the genre’s distinctive lighting style. Make notes on the genre and particularly the use of lighting - bullet points are fine. 

• Film noir is a stylized genre of film marked by pessimism, fatalism, and cynicism. 
• The term was originally used in France after WWII, to describe American thriller or detective films in the 1940s and 50s. 
• Film noir literally translates to “black cinema” 
• French critics used it to describe Hollywood movies that were saturated with darkness and pessimism not seen before
• Film Noir is a technical and impressive technique in film where light and shadow explicitly reflect the mood.
• uses low-key lighting to emphasize shadows and silhouettes and create harsh contrasts in film. It focuses less on plot and characters and more on style and mood.

common film noir elements:

• Anti-hero protagonist
• Femme fatale
• Tight, concise dialogue
• High-contrast lighting
• Post-war disillusionment

3) Film noir YouTube clip analysis 

Finally, find a YouTube clip that fits the film noir genre and embed it under your research (the clip can be classic noir from the 1950s or something more recent - neo-noir). How does the clip's lighting fit the film noir genre?

     

-the lighting fits the mood

-lighting is used to portray the mood and style of the film 

-harsher lights and softer lights are used at different times to match the mood of the film