Lighting is one of the most important aspects of motion pictures. It sets the tone of a film while giving two dimensional images the feeling of three dimensional life.
Whether you are a big budget producer shooting on 35mm film or an independent film director working on a shoe string budget with a borrowed digital camera, there is one thing you will need or no one will ever see your film: Lighting.
The three-point lighting system is the most common lighting scheme used in motion pictures. It uses a key light, a fill light, and a back light (or rim light). Using three lights from three different directions creates a sense of depth on people and objects guaranteeing everything will look three dimensional.
Key Light
The key light is the primary light used to illuminate a subject. It is usually positioned 15 – 45 degrees from one side of the camera and angled down 15 – 45 degrees from above the subject. This light represents the primary source of light in a scene simulating the sun, a window, a light bulb or some other source of light.
Fill Light
After the key light is positioned you will notice a harsh shadow on one side of the subject opposite the key light. The fill light is meant to reduce the shadow but not eliminate it entirely (shadow gives a sense of depth). A fill light should be placed on the opposite side of the key light but needs to be about half as bright and not positioned quite as high. Do not place it at the exact same angle as the key light. It is meant to simulate other light sources or light that is being reflected off other objects.
Back Light (Rim Light)
The back light needs to be placed behind the subject opposite the camera but high above both so that none of the light goes directly into the camera. This light will create a slight glow on the back of the subject and thus separate it from the background. This prevents the subject from looking two dimensional on the film. It is sometimes referred to as the hallo effect.
Changing the Mood
If you are doing a comedy or something a little lighter in spirit, you will want to turn the fill light up. By increasing the strength of the fill light you subject will be more evenly lit and you will create a jollier mood. If you are doing a more dramatic piece you can turn down the fill light and increase the amount of shadow. Dark lighting like this helps create suspense and tension.
Beyond Three-Point Lighting
Of course there are many variations to this scheme and additional lights are often added as needed, but for 95% of your movie making, this simple schematic will do. Once you have mastered this technique and are able to create and sustain a general mood throughout a movie, feel free to experiment as much as you like. However, until you do, don’t start playing around too much or you could ruin an otherwise good movie with poor lighting.
