This scene is generally a two shot that switches between J.K Simmons’ character (Terrence Fletcher) and Miles Teller’s character (Andrew). I’m going to focus on the mid shots of Simmons and Teller that are cut between from [0.20]-[1.29], in these two shots the lighting stays consistent in each one however each shot have slight distinctions to their composition of light.
From this shot, it is lit with a yellow soft light from the left hand side of the actors and camera, looking down on the subjects. There seems to be more focus of key light on Miles Teller (on the left side) as he is the focus of this shot, with band members in the background being lit by the spill. It could be possible that the light is more spotted on Teller or there are simply more that one source lighting teller to make him the subject of this shot. This way of lighting gives the impression that the lighting is coming from the lamps in the room. Also there seems to be some fill light to bring up the shadows so they don’t contrast as much as to the rest of the room (which is dark). This gives the feeling that Teller is the subject of this shot however compared to Simmons reverse shot it can be quite vastly different.
In this shot used, Simmons has very little key light falling upon the front of his face. It seems as though the key light is being lit from above him, giving his features a more refined and (in purpose of the scene) more menacing look. Overall, the lighting can be described as soft as we do not see any hard shadows however it is still harsher to that of the reverse shot of Teller. The key light on Simmons also gives the impression it is coming from a light on the roof of the room. The lighting also suggests that there is a soft fill light that is flat on Simmons to fill out his features. It would help reduce the heavy contrast that could be created by the key lighting alone and gives the shot a balance from the harshness of the key light.
Whiplash 2014, DVD, Sony Pictures Classics, CA, USA, directed by Damien Chazelle
