Maeve Catherine

Christmas time starts when the public holiday lights are put up, at least for me. Similarly, a film production can’t start until the scene is properly lit so lets go over the proper ways to light exterior and interior locations.

If you’ve read my previous blogs you know that I’ve been reading Tom Schroeppel’s book  The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video to refresh myself on film production. I, of course, recommend you read his book but her a summary of how to plan and set up for a video interview.

Exterior Lighting: Harder to depend on because the sun is constantly moving.

• People look best when the sunlight is falling at 45 degree angle or less
• Shadows are created because of blacklight and sidelight
  • Reflectors: Used to bounce sunlight into the shadow areas
  • Fill Lights: A light used to brighten up the shadows caused by backlights and sidelights. This light is not dependent on the sun.
    • Needs electricity to work.

Interior Lighting

• Focusing Quartz: Versatile light that film makers have the ability to control. Hard direct light on either spot or flood setting.
  • Spot: Concentrated area of light.
  • Flood: Area that light reaches is spread-out.
• Broads: Lights a large area but film makers have no control over how hard and direct the light is without diffusion materials.
  • Spun Glass
  • White Ceilings
• Softlight: Permanent, portable bounce light. The light bounces off the curved scoop surface.

All three of these lights come with barn doors which help block off light from areas that filmmakers do not want them on.

3-Point Lighting: Most basic lighting set up for any project. The order in which you should place lights is:

• The key light at a 45-degree angle.
• Place the fill light on the opposite side of your key light.
• Place a back light to help distinguish your subject from the background.

Every production has a list of important elements that should be on set.

• Pre-production Plan:
  • Films without the questions below are not as successful as others.
    • What story do you want to tell?
    • Who will your audience be?
    • How do you want them to react?
    • What things should you emphasize?
    • What should be downplayed?
  • Shooting Plan: Knowing what types of shots to capture when on set. Wide shots, Medium shots, Close ups and extra close ups.
• Slate: A tool that displays identifying information at the beginning of every shot while also marking where audio and visuals should match up during editing.
• Communication
  • Have a solid filming plan across all the crew members and actors/actresses.

Inspiring Creativity

Below are strong examples of videos with inspiring and well produced storytelling.

** This first video contains sensitive content related to gun violence that may be triggering for some viewers. **

The Sandy Hook Promise is a nonprofit organization that educated people to know the signs of violence and school shootings in order to prevent them from occurring. This mini documentary features Aalayah Eastmond, a student who survived the Parkland school shooting in 2018, who tells her story. This documentary has good examples of the ways that b-roll can be used to support the narration. The variety of shots taken during Aalayah’s interview help the viewer understand the pain and nervousness the event has brought to her. The interview also maintains proper lighting and quality audio throughout the piece.

This news story has great examples of how b-roll can help tell a story. Specifically Fox decided to focus on the police presence at the event which is exemplified through the shots of NYPD doing their job. There are differently composed shots of Rockefeller Center edited together are also accompanied by testimonial interviews which keep viewers engaged with the idea of visiting New York. Overall the station told the story of a safe city, despite the recent shooting, that people should visit during the holiday season.

When I looked up documentaries up on YouTube this public broadcasting service was recommended. The B-roll in this documentary was interesting and well-produced. Particularly, I enjoyed the transition shots of the group walking through the mud flats which were strategically placed throughout the video. The composition of each shot and the varieties of different angles keep the piece flowing and visually interesting. I enjoyed that the interview of Knud Knudsen was in a place that he was comfortable in and the interviews of people who were traveling were outdoors. Because the interviews took place both in doors and outdoors we as film makers have a great example of exterior and interior lighting strategies.

Planning and Executing

After weeks of refreshing myself on film production, I will be creating a mini documentary that exemplifies my knowledge of preproduction, production, and editing. With it being the holiday season and all I’ve decided I will be capturing the Holiday lights at Hubbard Park. Going to these lights has been a fun activity that me and my friends have done since getting our licenses. This mini documentary will capture the lights and feature a reflective interview of a community member who enjoys the festival yearly.

Take a look at my preproduction plans: