Lighting research

Camera shots can be highly important in creating an effective film trailer for example a handheld camera shot is conventionally used to create the feeling of being chased or to give a sense of being watched. Lighting is also a key element are group are looking at as effective lighting can be a key element involved in creating the feel of 'fright'- vital for a thriller, it is also important to consider lighting fro our film trailer, as the wrong lighting may make the makeup (fake blood, wounds etc. appear redundant and un-realistic).

Lighting:

For our film trailer, the lighting is incredibly important for each shot/scene. We are most interested in looking at lighting which can help create a foreboding/ominous mood. Unlike a supernatural film, we don't want to suggest other worldly events i.e. a film centring possession may use lights to create light orbs and reflections to suggest the paranormal.  To achieved the desired atmosphere i'm looking into using shadows, and the effects of using different types of lights.

Key elements to lighting:

(side lighting)

• When lighting, it is important to control the lighting direction- for example a high angle will cast shadows under the eyes- a good technique if you're trying to make a character appear weary or crazed. 
• A technique I discovered online, Is called side lighting- it consists of using a light, or (if we can find the resources using several lights) and focusing it on one side of something. This lightning technique works well with most mise em scene, but particularly on face's.
• When used on a face it, will have the appearance of creating a divide between the two half's of a persons features.
• We are thinking to use this technique on a protagonist in our film trailer, as it can imply that that character feels conflicted about something, or that there is multiple aspects to their persona.
• Side lighting is a technique used to bring out shadows, as lighting props/faces from the side creates shadows which emphasises textures.
• Shadows- conventionally create eerie, spooky atmosphere, good to show hiding scenes or to make something enigmatic.
• If we wanted to emphasise a particular part of mise en scene i.e a rock covered in face blood, side lighting would create small shadows, in the groves of the rock giving it a more dramatic look- a technique that would work well with the genre of action/thriller as bloody garments and gore are conventionally essential to creating a thrilling atmosphere.

• I also researched into how to create silhouettes- finding that back lighting is really good at achieving this. If you have someone stand in front of a bright light source, then you only see their outline, their form. It’s difficult to “see into the shadows” to see their face, or the texture of their clothing.

• Another important thing to consider whilst using lights- is the intensity or brightness. For example using a dim level of lighting- can be useful to create an impression of drunkenness or disorientation, especially when combined with a handheld camera shot, as the effect is shaky and can create confusion for the audience.
• However using dim lighting can also have it's down sides as an overly dim shot can result in loss of detail and poor quality camera shots.