Cinematography

This past summer, I filmed my no-budget, no-crew feature film on a Sony A7siii / A7iv w/cheap lights off amazon, using garbage bags to shape / diffuse the light. The film has already secured distribution.

Just wanted to share encouragement to filmmakers who are trying to get their next project off t...

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The Shape of Water and Lighting!

During the filming of "Crimson Peak," Guillermo del Toro handed cinematographer Dan Laustsen the screenplay for "The Shape of Water." Laustsen initially wondered how they would shoot the unique story of a mute woman falling in love with a humanoid-amphibian creature...

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The Shape of Water and Lighting!

In the beginning, Del Toro's idea of shooting in black and white was abandoned due to financing concerns. The focus then shifted to color, with greens and blues representing water, red symbolizing life, love, and death, and a meticulous attention to shadows and contrast.

Working closely with the production designer and costume designer during eight weeks of pre-production, Laustsen harmonized colors across lighting, costumes, and set designs. For instance, Sally Hawkins' character's apartment featured blue-green and steel blue, while warm and golden lighting set the tone for her neighbor Giles' apartment.

Using gels, LED lights, and a diffuser filter on the Arri Alexa XT camera, Laustsen aimed to recreate the aesthetic of a 1950s movie, ensuring the stars looked amazing, Hawkins resembled a princess, and the antagonists appeared rugged and tough throughout the 58-day shoot at Cinespace Studios in Toronto in 2016. Below are some thoughts on lighting.

Balance and Harmony:

Achieving a balance between light and shadow is crucial for creating a visually appealing scene. Well-balanced lighting ensures that all elements in the frame are illuminated appropriately, enhancing the overall harmony of the composition.

Contrast and Mood:

Strategic use of contrast in lighting contributes to the mood and atmosphere of a scene. High contrast between light and shadow can evoke drama or tension, while low contrast may convey a softer, more subtle mood. Understanding how to manipulate contrast enhances storytelling through visuals.

Color Temperature:

Consistent color temperature across all light sources is essential for maintaining a cohesive look. Understanding the color temperature of various lights (e.g., daylight, tungsten) and using appropriate gels or adjustments helps avoid color imbalances that can distract or distort the visual narrative.

Directionality and Angle:

The direction and angle of light influence the way objects and characters are perceived on screen. Consider the motivation for light sources within the narrative and use them to sculpt the scene. Frontal lighting is more neutral, while side or backlighting can add depth and dimension to the visuals.

Emphasis and Focal Points:

Use lighting to guide the audience's attention to key elements in the frame. By highlighting specific areas or characters, you can emphasize important details and contribute to the overall storytelling. Techniques such as spotlighting or selective lighting help create focal points within the composition.

These principles, when applied thoughtfully, contribute to the creation of visually compelling and narratively effective scenes in filmmaking.

Maurice Vaughan

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2 people like this
- Stephen Folker
- John January Noble
2 months ago

I haven't seen "Upstream Color," Stephen Folker, but I just looked it up on IMDb. It reminds me of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

Sam Rivera

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3 people like this
2 months ago

I LOVE Upstream Color, mainly for the way it was shot but also a big Amy Seimetz fan, glad to know others have seen the film!

John January Noble

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2 people like this
- Stephen Folker
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Stephen Folker I don't, but I plan to watch it.

Mike Boas

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Stephen Folker
2 months ago

I liked it a lot! Was disappointed it didn’t get more attention at the time. The film is mysterious and at times opaque, much like Caruth’s previous film Primer. So not for everyone. But it has smart ideas and a dreamy tone.

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Nick Phillips

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- John January Noble
2 months ago

Great post John January Noble! yeah that type of subjectivity can be powerful depending on the scene and how it's used. Love this discussion!

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Sam Sokolow Well remembered!

Nick Phillips Great ! It was a hook after your penultimate post that talked about INARRITU AND TOM. It was next door.

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2 people like this
- John January Noble
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

wow this was such an eye opening read thanks for sharing this John January Noble

Sam Rivera your welcome !

Gareth Taylor

I'm not sure what to make of this. We'll have to wait for NAB to get a concrete sense of how this concept will play out.

Ashley Renee Smith

I had the same thought, Gareth Taylor! We'll just have to see how it works once they can actually demo it.

I'm not a DP but i think this is pretty darn cool! : )

2 months ago

Nick Phillips Thank you !

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1 person likes this
- John January Noble
2 months ago

The use of both black-and-white as well as color was one of my favorite things about Oppenheimer! I loved how both styles were used to tell the story and passage of time visually.

Hoyt is one of the top guys working today, what a collaboration he and Nolan have!

That's a very long answer which involves personal taste, creative intent, locations, shooting style, type of camera support, budget, and a lot of technical considerations.

John January Noble, I'm not a Cinematographer myself, but my husband is a very talented Lens Tech, so my home is filled with various types of lenses and I spend a lot of time talking about them. Lol!...

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Nick Phillips The world of cameras is wonderful. It's like producing, like drinking good wine! I get drunk every day!

Ashley Renee Smith What a spectacle, the husband is a teacher. I imagine your camera and lens archive. He must have a beautiful story with these children!

Oh yeah, John January Noble. He's a lens designer as well. So I get to hear about lens specs, re-housing specs, design specs, and image styles all the time. He's incredibly passionate about what he do...

Ashley Renee Smith Wonder !

Fran Harris

3 months ago

Amazing casting in original! Quirky, uncomfortable chemistry! . That’s when I really saw the range of Helen Hunt!!!!

Agreed, Fran Harris! Helen gives a next-level performance in the original!

This was the standout movie ad from the Super Bowl for me. Looks cool!

Same here, Nick Phillips! It looks so fun!

Jaap Ruurd Feitsma

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4 people like this
3 months ago

This is great, Stephen Folker! You clearly have a great eye for framing, (camera) movement, adding visual subtext, etc. through visual storytelling (by indeed using the camera as a tool). And that's w...

Stephen Folker

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3 people like this
3 months ago

Jaap Ruurd Feitsma thank you for the kind words. Appreciate it. :)

Stephen Folker You have a great ability to move with the camera. And a beautiful photograph together with the script. Beautiful work. A brilliant idea to escape anonymity. I have my cameras and a scri...

John January Noble that's fantastic! Please keep me informed when it's done! I'd love to see it!

Stephen Folker Of course yes, it will be my first short film. When it's ready, I'll share it.

Ryan Christiansen

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2 people like this
- Mario Leone
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

It looks very effective! I haven't seen this film but I've seen Crimson Peak :)

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2 people like this
- John January Noble
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Out of curiosity, Maurice Vaughan, do you write and direct your own films? Only asking since I'm not always certain producers, directors, DP's, Art directors enjoy reading that kind of stuff in script...

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1 person likes this
- Jaap Ruurd Feitsma
3 months ago

Hi, Jaap Ruurd Feitsma. I only write scripts. I don't have any interest in directing. I only add color symbolization and other symbolization in my scripts if they're important to the story.

"I always l...

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Yeah that makes sense, Maurice Vaughan! Thanks. Codes and conventions, in particular semiotics might be very useful, too in that regard :)

You're welcome, Jaap Ruurd Feitsma.

Sam Sokolow

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2 people like this
- Ashley Renee Smith
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Two great cities that'll have two great meetups. Thanks, Ashley Renee Smith!

Yeah, I'm excited Sam Sokolow! I wish I could be in multiple places at once!

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