Casino/ Bringing out the Dead Look

Backlot Rebels

Backlot Rebels

Member
Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone has any insight on how to get Rob Richardsons lighting style. I'm talking about that blow-out/ glowing/ halo look he has to actors and scenes.

From what I understand, he uses 1/4 Black Pro Mist filters, but I believe it also depends a lot on the emulsion of the various film stocks he uses as well.

Does anyone know how to get this same look WITHOUT post production on the DVX? I'm thinking that it would be the Black Pro Mist #3, but all examples I find are for portrait work, and not what I'm looking for.

From what I understand, a Pro Mist filter will highlight the blacks too much, whereas the Black Pro Mist filter will keep the blacks and still add the flares.

Can anyone tell me if I'm right, or at least on the right track? Would a stronger filter work better, such as a #5?

Thanks
 
It's been a while since I read it, but you can find exactly what your looking for in American Cinematographer. You can order a back issue which has an article on Casino. One key lighting method he used in Casino was bouncing a par light off either a white object like a table cloth or bouce card directly in front of the actor and camera. That is what gave the glow that you see. I don't remember about the pro mist but it's probably in the in the article.
 
draven4 said:
It's been a while since I read it, but you can find exactly what your looking for in American Cinematographer. You can order a back issue which has an article on Casino. One key lighting method he used in Casino was bouncing a par light off either a white object like a table cloth or bouce card directly in front of the actor and camera. That is what gave the glow that you see. I don't remember about the pro mist but it's probably in the in the article.
Click to expand...

I believe that you are correct. Promist filters can (if used correctly) enhance this effect if you have lit with some well-contrasted hot spots.

David Kuznicki
Production Manager, WGTE-TV30
 
Okay, I have to admit that I know very little about par lights. Do they have characteristics to make the glow more than other fresnel lights?

Also, are there different kinds of par lights? From what I read so far, I understand that a par light will take anywhere from a 300w- 1000w bulb. Does Richardson use more powerful pars, and/or do I have to get a 1k bulb to do the same thing? Are they also different from the par lights that DJ's use?

Thanks a lot for your help guys.
 
I don't think it really matters what type of lighting unit you use. In Richardsons case it was normally Top Light and Overexposed. As said bounced off white objects to give the glow/halo look.
 
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