Shining a Light on Set Design: Crafting the Perfect Atmosphere

Lighting

Hey everyone! Today, I want to dive into the fascinating world of lighting for our film "A New Beginning." Lighting is a crucial element that can dramatically change the mood and feel of a scene, and I'm excited to share my vision with you.

Introduction to Lighting

First things first, let's get to lighting basics. In class we discussed how various light sources can have varying effects and set the mood of a scene. From soft lighting to create romance to heavy lighting to create tension, right lighting can totally alter the course of a scene. Here are a few photos from my notes to give you an idea of where we've begun:

The Type of Lighting I Want to Use

For "A New Beginning," I'm using a blend of warm and vintage lighting to accommodate the 70s-flavored romantic comedy ambiance. The art is in keeping the ambiance personal and inviting yet highlighting contrasts of Ethan and Lily's childhood as well. Following are some light techniques that will be used:

Soft, Warm Lighting: To establish a sense of warmth and romance, I'll be using soft, warm lighting in scenes where Ethan and Lily interact. Think fairy lights, candles, and sunlight filtering through windows.

Example of soft, warm lighting.

Golden Hour Lighting: The golden hour, which is just before sunset, provides the perfect warm and otherworldly light that contributes to the romantic atmosphere of the film. We'll capture this magical lighting in significant outdoor scenes to bring out the beauty of the ranch landscape.

Example of golden hour lighting.

Subtle Shadows: To add depth and dimension to the scenes, I'll be adding subtle shadows that highlight the characters' facial features and provide a sense of closeness.

Reflection:

In reaching the perfect atmosphere, one has to consider the psychology of lighting and color. Warm light, for example, is inviting and romantic, thus perfect for personal scenes. Blues and greens, being cooler colors, can, however, bring a sense of calmness or even depression, depending on the context. The combination of these lighting effects and color schemes will help us tell the story more effectively, highlighting the emotional journey of our characters.

The opening scene of 'A New Beginning' features a warm, nostalgic tone with a beautiful palette of pinks, oranges, and yellows.

In the opening scene, we will use warm colors like soft yellows, oranges, and pinks to create a warm and inviting mood, reflecting the romance between Ethan and Lily. Earthy tones such as dark greens and browns will enhance the natural appearance of the ranch setting, adding warmth and depth to the landscape. Golden tones in the interior will symbolize Lily's wealth and sophistication, a contrast to her and Ethan's upbringings. The use of these lighting effects and color schemes will help us tell the story better, highlighting the emotional journey of our characters.

Sources

1) 𝐴𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝔻𝕒𝕨𝕟. (2024, May 22). Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/492649952877152/

2) Image of soft, warm lighting: - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=WYhDpLe4&id=80C3002BE365FAE9C368C8F6A3A3C7EC0D3D2CB5&thid=OIP.WYhDpLe4tc6lIj33iXcWyAHaD4&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Farchitecture-collection.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2F4283-led-lighting-is-hidden-throughout-this-home-to-create-a-soft-warm-glow.jpg&cdnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.com%2Fth%2Fid%2FR.598843a4b7b8b5cea5223df7897716c8%3Frik%3DtSw9DezHo6P2yA%26pid%3DImgRaw%26r%3D0&exph=630&expw=1200&q=Image+of+Soft%2C+Warm+Lighting%3A&simid=608001519972255967&FORM=IRPRST&ck=96E284A99E950224786C9E9E33326ECB&selectedIndex=1&itb=0&adlt=strict&cw=1629&ch=729&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0

3) golden hour lighting - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=cso1aW5n&id=D41B352129C11D9F9BC0AA8085854F28C8BE19B6&thid=OIP.cso1aW5nSheSVbGrFYfsVgHaDt&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fcdn.shopify.com%2fs%2ffiles%2f1%2f0310%2f3571%2f9739%2ffiles%2fWhen_is_Golden_Hour_Photography_-_Magic_Hour_Lighting_and_Selfies_2048x2048.jpg%3fv%3d1623268361&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.72ca35696e674a179255b1ab1587ec56%3frik%3dthm%252byChPhYWAqg%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=960&expw=1920&q=golden+hour+lighting&simid=608055473326410438&FORM=IRPRST&ck=B1F39B7AD6D99EA3979D69BCA4222592&selectedIndex=0&itb=0&adlt=strict&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0