USC lesson: additional reading

language of light

alternative lighting kit

color temp and kelvin scale

depth of field theory 1

and 2

USC lesson: paintings and lighting

painting inspires cinematography:

de la tour and kubrick/john alcott

caravaggio and sam mendes/conrad hall

bonvin and julie taymor

USC lesson: composition in cinema

compositional elements in cinema:

TRIANGLE WITHIN RECTANGLE - a rising form within a static frame, connotes a kinetic state, albeit an emotional one.

RULE OF THIRDS - frame is segmented into horizontal thirds, while a centered character works across the frame. the prodigal son returns.

SPIRAL FORM & DIAGONAL - Ascending and descending view which draws us in.

*2046 stills* 

-an open frame before the gaze of an actor creates a special vacuum drawing our imagination to some scene before him.

-the character looks to the short side of the frame--a tension is built.

REFLECTION AND CADENCE - duality and inner dialogue are generated.

Z-AXIS & DEPTH/DIAGONAL - a sense of place and dominance are exploited.

SYMMETRY AND CENTERING - power and presence -or- alienation and stasis.

THE WEDGE - thrusting forward with force. 

USC lesson: composition, golden mean, rule of thirds

composition theory: 

"To position a character directly in the middle, as is the case in some of Kubrik's work, is to suggest a sense of stasis or balance. The off center composition implies a kinetic energy. . . a sense of motion or potential energy, perhaps a charged tension."

USC lesson: poetry and photography

"The paradox is that in photography, its ability to describe is at once its strength and uniqueness as visual expression, and at the same time this very quality makes it one of the most difficult of forms to master because of its urge to be literal. . . While realism and abstraction appear to work in opposition, a harmonious relationship can be created between them. To accept this paradox allows for something profound to occur." - Teaching Photography by Philip Perkis

Scroll down to the bottom and play the video.

USC lesson: shot types

Shot types and the kinds of lenses you would use.

USC lesson: motivated lighting and art direction

art direction and motivated lighting: 

"to simply light a scene without taking into consideration what the set can communicate through art design and the application of practical lighting is to miss the forest for the trees."

USC lesson: exposure and film density

negative density: 

thin negative: underexposed, little detail for printing. 

slightly underxposed--dark and moody

thicker negative: good mix of thick and thin areas, correct exposure, ample detail for printing.

USC lessons: covelight

Covelight: cheap, portable, soft lighting

3 x 4ft white show card

1 light stand

1 grip clip

1 4ft string

2 clothespins

2 bulldog clips

1 2x3ft sheet of diffusion (Lee 250)

use it.