Lighting eyes from within (like Blade Runner)

[Wild Imagination Films]

I searched and couldn't find anything in the threads so I'm throwing this out there. Does anyone know how to do the Blade Runner light in the eyes trick? Thanks in advance.
-Will

 

[Christopher Barry]

I always thought they may use a gold/circular reflector board with some red light (like VK machine), positioned in line with the camera view to reflect on the pupil. The imperfections of a replicant.

I take him to the doctor.

 

[clang]

given how old Blade runner is, they very likely did do something like that. Or some giant contact lenses?

 

[FiddlerMD]

i'm wondering if it was some sort of infra-red.. ever notice how on night -vision cameras you always see the eyes all crazy looking? IR doesn't make the pupil shrink and you get a nice big fat reflection - perhaps a mix of IR and regular can get that effect?

 

[jumpthewire]

NI has a glow filter

that and masks you can get great results
(depending on your lighting/movement)

 

[Mark Johnson]

Would be easy today to just track the eyes and apply illumination in post.

 

[eofeapr]

Contact lens ???

 

[ESTEBEVERDE]

I think the answer is on the documentary on the new HD DVD sets.

 

[clang]

just read an article on this - supposedly they used a glass pane at 45 degrees, with a couple of small lights positioned so their reflection (off the glass pane) matched the actor eye positions from the camera's POV. A great lo-tech solution, so long as the eyes don't need to move!

I'm so tempted to buy the new DVD just for the docos - Bladerunner has aged amazingly well, unlike many SFX films of that era

 

[David W. Richardson]

Do it 'old school'!

First, drill a hole in the back of the actor's eyeballs...

 

[Wild Imagination Films]

David,
Tried the 'ole hole in the back of the head trick. All they did was complain about headaches and develop a tendency to wander off in the middle of the scene. Any other ideas?
PS The Blade Runner box set is worth every cent!!!!!

 

[David W. Richardson]

Sheesh! ACTORS!

Just last night I was searching for something online and ran across a site that sold eyeglasses with a small, bright red LED in the center of each lens. Positioned properly, it gives the effect of a red glow in someone's eyes. That's probably no help at all in your situation, though. Sorry.

 

[David W. Richardson]

Here's an interesting article on how the blue eyes were done for "Dune". Don't know if that helps any.

http://www.geocities.com/ceciliafx/dune/eyes.html