1. LIGHTING
The use of lighting throughout the media industry is one of the main technical
codes which help the audience to convey and connote the genre. This is important
as it allows the viewer to interact and engage with the production creating further
profit for the director. The use of lighting is particularly important within the film industry,
especially horror films. The low-key lighting contrasted with light shadows extenuates the
enigmatic mood and feeling creating further suspense and tension for the audience. Lighting
allows the audience to help reveal many gratifications, these include suspense and tension
as well as comedy and entertainment. In funny movies, high key lighting is portrayed as it
creates a lively and positive atmosphere linking to the laughter gratification experienced.
Directors often use mixtures of lighting in one setting which help convey the mood at one
specific time. High key lighting connotes a happy feeling which is juxtaposed with low key
lighting which signifies suspense and enigma. Further enigmatic codes include a riff with low
tones which build tension. If the producer just used every day lighting, it would be hard to
portray the genre of the media text which will ultimately decrease overall profits for the
production company. Within my production I will use a mixture of lighting which will help
the audience to portray the feeling of the protagonist. The use of low key lighting will be
displayed when the persona is feeling suicidal but is juxtaposed to the happy feeling when
he finds a friend. This contrast of feelings and emotions within the storyline allows me to
engage the audience.
My production will have low key lighting in situations where the protagonists feels lonely
and depressed. This is juxtaposed to the light setting which will be predominately used
to show the everyday normality of my film. As my production is an opening sequence the
scene must have contrasts to build the tension of the audience without spoiling the story.
