On Monday, we were set the task of recreating the “Colin and Cath” scene we shot as a class a few weeks ago, but this time we could only artificial light. We weren’t allowed to use any sunlight or the lights already installed in the classroom. The idea was for us to practice using artificial lights in a way which made the scene look as though it had been lit with available light. For this exercise, I was acting for the first time this semester, which gave me a different perspective on the filming process.
The first shot we took was an over-the-shoulder shot of Yolanda at her computer, which we decided to light with the 1k fresnel light from camera left, as this matches where the light would be coming from if we were using the available light from the windows. Even though the you can’t see the windows at any point during the scene, it still felt like the natural choice to be consistent with how the light in the room would usually look.
Our gaffer Darcey setting up the 1k fresnel
In order to try make the artificial light look a little bit more realistic, Darcey placed a blue gel directly over the light, as well as tough spun diffusion material. She used one full spun and another half spun on top of it to further diffuse the light.
For the second shot the light was moved slightly so that it would be lighting up my face this time more than Yolanda’s. It still looks consistent with lighting in the previous shot and the environment, as the lighting set up suggests that there are multiple windows along the west wall of the classroom.
For the last shot we re-attempting the tracking shot from the first version. This shot in particular need to have dispersed light, not only to stay consistent with the daylight look of the rest of the scene, but also because both the camera and the subject move throughout the shot, causing the lighting situation to change slightly.
It was a very difference experience on the other side of the camera, and particularly on the receiving end of those bright fresnel lights. But from where I was sitting, our group worked well together, using the experience of the first version to help inform them of their camera coverage, as well as using some of the techniques Robin as taught us to effectively replicate the feel of daylight.