This PowerPoint was created for a high school film class by a professional gaffer and cinematographer.
Text of Lighting scenarios
Lighting Scenarios Lecture prepared 9/8/10 by John M. Grace, film worker and instructor D.A.T.A. Charter High School Albuquerque, NM 2010, John M. Grace All Rights Reserved for use availability, email Newestprod@aol.com
A Basic Grip/Electric Package
The goal for a Gaffer or Cinematographer should be to make the lighting appear organic. Good lighting should look natural and not call attention to itself. The best tribute that I can receive is for people to think a scene was lighted entirely with natural light and not to notice my work. Above and following are some lighting diagrams from classic films.
Harry Potter A fun exercise for students is to take scenes from popular films and to imagine the lighting used for the scene
Harry Potter Lab Table Fresnel Back Light Fresnel Bounce Fill Fresnel Key Light Camera
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight Fluoroescent Fluoroescent 300w Fresnel Camera
Women Without Men
Women Without Men Camera Fresnel 300w Fresnel
Forty Shades of Blue
Forty Shades of Blue Fresnel Camera BAR Fresnel Soft Box Practical Practical
Charlie Wilsons War
Charlie Wilsons War Fresnel Camera Fresnel Fresnel Soft Box Practical
Boys Town
Boys Town DESK Fresnel HMI Fresnel Fresnel Fresnel Soft Box Camera
The Grass Grows Green
The Grass Grows Green DESK Fresnel Fresnel Fresnel Camera
Casablanca Have your students try creating a lighting plot for these or other scenes for experience
