This document provides an introduction to lighting techniques in film, including three point lighting, high and low key lighting, and other specialized lighting approaches. It analyzes lighting in films like Alien and The Godfather to demonstrate how lighting creates mood, atmosphere, and informs the audience's understanding of characters. Students are assigned homework to analyze the cinematography and lighting in a selected film scene in detail.

2. Learning
Objectives
Introduce: Lighting and the ‘Three Point
Lighting’ System
Analyse the lighting used in Gladiator &
Alien
Complete an in-depth analysis of Alien
and write a short essay style evaluating
the use of lighting in the extract

3. The Godfather
Watch the following extract and make
notes on the lighting that has been used
How does the lighting create
atmosphere?
What do we learn about the character of
Don Corelone?
How does the lighting visualise the two
The Godfather
different ‘family’ lives of The Corleones? Dir: F.F. Copolla
(Gangster family / domestic family?) (1972)

4. The Godfather
In the opening sequences the interior
shots of the Mafia doing ‘business’ in the
office are very dark. This (along with
This ‘office’ sequence contrasts effect of
other cinematic codes) has the sharply
when it cutsaudience wary and
making the to the wedding sequence,
which is joyous scene was deliberately
expectant. The and presents the
respectable, legitimate side ofheavy
shot in a way that would cast the
Corleone and theThis sequence is brightly
shadows family. film stock was slightly
lit with sunshine and makes effect.
underexposed to add to the the audience
feel like they are safe outside in the
bright, natural light after the oppressive
At times it is difficult to distinguish things
shadows ofshadows butThe two sides of
among the the interior. this was the
the familydirector wanted. Why? Soare
effect the and their duplicitous live that
therefore perfectly established throughof
the lighting complemented the themes
lighting. concealment, dark intent,
the film;
threatening shadowy Mafia-men and the
mysterious underworld.

5. Lighting
Lighting is fundamental to filmmaking and has
been a vital aspect of cinematography since the
invention of the camera
Lighting can emphasise different moods and
feelings Horror Film
By simply changing the lighting style a
filmmaker can transform a romantic comedy in
to a horror film in seconds
Lighting has become an important signifier and Medial
can be used to create different meanings & Drama
generate different responses from the
audience

6. Key Term: High
High Key Lighting is a form of bright lighting
Key Lighting
that is used in normal, every day scenarios
High Key Lighting is usually very bright and free
from shadows
It is generally used to create a light and open
environment
In what types of film would High Key
Lighting be used?
Action Movies Feel Good Movies
Rom-Coms
Comedies
Children's Films

7. Key Term: Low
Low Key Lighting is a form of DIM lighting used
Key Lighting
to create a subdued or fearful atmosphere
It is also used to create suspense and tension
This is achieved by one light source casting lots
of shadows across the scene, blocking
information from the audience
In what types of film would Low Key
Lighting be used?
Horror
Thriller
Suspense

8. Lighting
These two definitions (High & Low Key) are obviously
very basic and there is a wide spectrum between the
two.
Rarely is there just one light illuminating a
shot, instead several lights are used to create different
effects
The focus of the lighting department is always the
‘Star’. Some ‘stars’ even have special relationships
with their cinematographers so they are lit just the
way they want to be.
This stems from the Golden Age of Hollywood when
lighting achieved glamorous results on actors long
before the invention of digital enhancement

9. Gladiator
Lighting is as much a part of the cinematic language as
camera angles and is essential in creating mood and
atmosphere
What type of lighting style has been
used?
How does the lighting contribute to the
atmosphere of the scene? Gladiator
Dir: Ridley Scott
How does the lighting contribute to our (2000)
understanding of Commodus?
Make notes and compare them with a
partner

11. Three Point Lighting
The most common method lighting an actor is called
System
the Three Point Lighting System
Key light
The biggest and brightest
light shinning from the
front, bleaching out any
hollows or contours on
the face but creating
shadow behind the
person

12. Three Point Lighting
System
Back Light
This creates a ‘halo’ effect and
removes any defects or
contrast with the background
and foreground.

13. Three Point Lighting
Fill Light
System
Used to fill any shadows
created by the Key and Fill
lights. For example, shadows
cast across the eyes or nose

14. Overhead Lighting
A Single light from above will cast harsh
shadows and create a sinister, unflattering
look. The effect will highlight contours on
the face make characters faces look
harder, more masculine and colder
What types of characters would be lit by
an overhead light?
For what reasons would a filmmaker use
this form of lighting?

15. Under Lighting
The opposite of an overhead light – but
having similar effect
Under lights hollow out and obscure the
eyes and emphasise lines on the face. This
form of lighting is usually reserved for male
characters
People replicate this lighting by holding a
torch under their face!
What types of characters would be lit by
an under light?
For what reasons would a filmmaker use
this form of lighting?

16. Side Lighting
This light casts a shadow across the actors
face – an effect that might be used in a
thriller – for a duplicitous character

17. Alien
Watch this scene from Alien and analyse the use of lighting
Make notes on:
What types of lighting have been used?
The lighting is very effective in creating a
tense and suspenseful atmosphere – how
does the lighting do this?
What does the lighting add to the scene?
Alien
Dir: Ridley Scott
Provide specific examples from the
extract

18. Summary
Lighting is a vital element of filmmaking
Light is used to create mood and
atmosphere and infer information about
characters
The way a character is lit will determine
how we respond to them and can be visual
signifiers of a characters intentions /
motives / feelings
High Key Light is used to create a bright
atmosphere free of shadows
Low Key Lighting is used to create a dark,
sinister atmosphere full of shadows

19. AS Film – Cinematography
Homework
Pick ONE scene from a film and complete an in-depth analysis of the
cinematography and lighting
All of the information you
You must: require to complete this task
can be found in your
Write a detailed analysis of how the shot types, Cinematography and Lighting
camera angles and camera movements inform booklet
the audience and creating meaning
All lessons and resources can
be found on our blog:
You must Include:
www.sssfcfilm.blogpost.co.uk
• Correctly labelled shot types and camera
movements Click on the ‘FM1 – Exploring
• The form of lighting in use film form link for resources /
lessons
Word count: 500 words at least
Due date: Friday 21st September Clips: Search ‘SSSFCFILM’ on
YouTube for our YouTube
channel