Lighting: casino

[Richard El Asmar]

Hello,

 

In the scene in which Joe Pesci or Nick Santoro dies, I have the impression that there were no extra lights used besides the soft light of the day light?

 

Can anyone tell me if this is true?

If not what kind of light did they use in that scene?

 

Thank you.

[Bill DiPietra]

I doubt it was just the diffused sunlight. Probably some soft fill thrown in there, as well.

[John E Clark]

Hello,

 

In the scene in which Joe Pesci or Nick Santoro dies, I have the impression that there were no extra lights used besides the soft light of the day light?

 

 

It's been quite a while since I've watched the film... so it would be helpful if you had a frame grab of the scene you have in mind.

 

In the interest of being helpful... and to me it looks like sunlight and possibly bounce.

 

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Looks like basic overcast light, you'd have to watch all the shots in the scene to see if you can spot some HMI fill reflected in the eyeballs or on the car, etc. It would be standard operating procedure to have some HMI's standing by.

 

The other possibility is that some shots had an overhead silk in case the sun came out.

[Richard El Asmar]

In this picture: beneath his chin and on his throat, I can sense the light reflection of a HMI.

 

Is it the HMI or just the normal light?

 

Thanks.

[Richard El Asmar]

In this picture: beneath his chin and on his throat, I can sense the light reflection of a HMI.

 

Is it the HMI or just the normal light?

 

Thanks.

[David Mullen ASC]

Hard to tell. You want to look at a shot where the reflection definitely couldn't be coming from above. Someone on the ground would reflect the sky.

 

Is there some reason why it is so important to know whether he mixed in some HMI fill in this scene? Of all the interesting lighting set-ups in "Casino", it seems odd to be asking about something shot outside mostly in available daylight.

[Richard El Asmar]

Well I personally prefer diffused light on

someone's face as it leaves no hard shadow

and offers bigger variety of colors between

Black and white.

 

Therefore I really enjoy filming in overcast.

 

I wanted to know if it was evident to do so while

filming on 35mm -where u can't white balance

Every short while - and also if anyone shares

my view?

 

Thank you.

[David Mullen ASC]

Of course you can film in overcast weather in 35mm. As far as shifting color temps throughout the day, most DP's would just match that during the final color-correction/grading/timing, though there would be nothing to stop you from shooting grey scales at the head of the rolls throughout the day so that dailies were adjusted roll by roll if you wanted to pay for more than a one light / best light. Or using pale color-correction filters.