Thursday, 17 October 2013

Short film extract lighting analysis - Saw 5






In the opening of this extract high lighting is used as the lighting is very dark, however is still the contrast between light and dark is minimal. The darkness in the room is filled by filler lights and back lighting in the scene. The back lighting in the dark room creates a silhouette on the characters however at the same time allows us to see their scared, anxious facial expressions, which links to the connotation of the darkness in the room which connotes evil and death. However using filler lights the silhouette is less pronounced and more subtle, allowing us to concentrate on the facial expressions.

As the extract continues and the lights turn on, low key lighting and top lighting is used. The room is still dimly lit however slightly lighter as the bulbs have turned on. These bulbs create top lighting in the scene. The top lighting is used to emphasise the characters desperate and fearful facial expressions as they look up to break the lights. The top lighting also suggests like the screen in the opening scene that these lights are the characters only hope of surviving. Much less filler lighting is used in this segment compare to the opening. This creates strong shadows in the room and a clear contrast between light and dark, an effect known as chiaroscuro. This means that characters are constantly being shown in light and shadow as they move in the room, possibly showing that despite with the hope shown by the light, the shadows show that one of them is still going to die. 

The slight green tint added to the lighting throughout the extract may be used to add tension to the scene. With the colour green we can connote that the tint may also suggest that the characters are going to rot in the room, as the colour green can be associated with fungus and rotting.

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