Chapter 3 Blog Question #2

The typical Hollywood lighting setup is known as three point lighting. The majority of three point lighting setup contains dozens of actual lights, not just three, but their arrangement is made so that there are three basic light sources. These three sources are known key light, fill light and back light. The key light element is referred as the main directional light source. Key light is used to accentuate the main goings on of a movie scene. Fill light is acknowledged as the weaker light sources that fill in the shadows made by the important characters in a film. The back lights are less important lights that are utilized to light the area between the back of the set and the characters allowing them to become distinguished from the background of the scene. Three point lighting has been used in hundreds Hollywood films.

Another of the common lighting styles in Hollywood is high-key lighting. High key lighting happens when there is a large amount of fill light, which washes out the shadows emitted by key light. This creates a more or less brightly lit scene in which light is evenly dispersed throughout the scene. This particular style is most common in comedies and musicals. One of the most recognizable uses of high-key lighting is conversation between Rick and Lisa in the world famous film Casablanca. High-key lighting is a technique found in movies everywhere.

The opposite of high-key lighting is what is known as low-key lighting. In a low key lighting system, the ratio of fill to key light is very low. In a high-key lighting system shadows cast by the key light are not entirely filled in, thus creating a shadowy effect and uneven allocation of light. This particular style is associated with somber genres as, mysteries, thrillers, and horror films. Like the counterpart, high-key lighting, low-key lighting was a major focus in the film Casablanca. The low-key lighting in Casablanca was used to emphasize the main characters as he tries to drown his thoughts of a love lost. Low key lighting is seen all throughout Hollywood films.

The final type of common lighting in films is star lighting. Star lighting highlights the foremost characters in a particular. This type of lighting is used direct the attention of the viewing audience to the actors or actresses that are of primary importance. The system also allows the film directors to highlight the charismatic presence of certain actors within the scene. It can also be used to push other figures in the scenes into the literal or figurative background. Star lighting works to transform the facial features of major performers into foundations of light. Since the light on the actor’s faces has no visible origin in the scene, it appears to come from within the actor. Star lighting is used to emphasize actors in films world-wide.

Works Cited

Belton, John. American Cinema American Culture. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.