Cinematic Lighting

Basics of Cinematic Lighting

In teams of 2-3 people, you will research cinematic lighting techniques and shoot a short film that incorporates all of the following:

  • At least one object

  • One person with 3 different lighting looks

The emphasis of this project is not about story or action, but how you light the subject for this scene.

Examples and Resources:

Video Resources:

Pre-Production Practice Project:

Divide into Film Teams — characters (dependent upon the scene), DOP (cinematographer) & lighting gaffer

  1. Choose one scene from our premiere film screenplay — this must be a scene that has dialogue

  2. Find a location where you can film

  3. Practice blocking a scene where the characters have both movement and dialogue

  4. Light the scene creatively

  5. Film and edit the scene