Pre-Production Lighting/Framing Test - Flash Animation

S

Sledgeweb

Active member
Last night, we grabbed a couple friends and did some testing for a scene in our upcoming short. This isn't the right location, right wardrobe, or right actors - but what we wanted to do is see how the camera angles we planned on paper work in a real setting. We are also testing lighting configurations - for this short we're going for a dark noir style.

Any feedback / suggestions are appreciated.

http://cubit.net/films/spare/lightTest06.php

You will need Flash player to view.

Thanks!
Sledge
 
Seems a bit underexposed. And I love dark scenes.

You need more contrast for what your going for. You're lighting the background somewhat, but you really haven't lit your actors. Your just letting the existing light do it and drop shadows where it will. Craft not only each light but each shadow. That will get you into noir.

Try this" Light everything bright and then start cutting away at the light, like a sculptor working in marble. Place the darkness on purpose. See what you get then.
 
Thanks MattC. We're having trouble with the light right now because we don't have barn doors, so, the light is going everywhere. We're working on getting some barn doors or flags going so we can control the light. Then we can start experimenting with cutting the light away as you suggest. Good advice. Thanks!

Any thoughts on the framing as opposed to the lighting?
 
Well, I'll stick with lighting for a second. I find barn doors to be overrated - I also think their almost essential and do what their supposed to do great, but you could do without and even if you had them you'd still use much more than just barn doors.

There are two things you should have and love. Foamcoare and blackwrap. You should also have some stands, a razor knife, clothespins and clamps to work with the foamcore and blackwrap. With these you can make cookies, create makeshift barndoors, make snoots, dots and fingers. You can block light, you can bounce it, you can balance it. if you adjust the distance between the flag and the light you can cast hard shadows or soft shadows. Add some fabric screen door mesh from a hardware store and you can make adjustable scrims (just be careful that you cant see the pattern on film). You can get some gels and color the light if the scene requires it.

Matt
 
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