seen the light Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Hi, I was wondering if i could get a few peoples opinions as I'm a novice in the world of cinematography. Im a student, currently working on my final year project - a short 3D animtion. The goal of my project is to look at how traditional lighting techniques used in cinema can be applied to 3D computer animation to create mood. In particular im trying to create a mood of fear and paranioa. I was wondering if i could get professionals opinions of the films that use light to the greatest advantage, in particualr to create a strong visual mood. Thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted November 20, 2004 Premium Member Share Posted November 20, 2004 Polanski's "Repulsion" is probably the ultimate paranoia film, followed by his "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Tenant." And John Carpenter's "The Thing". Film noirs are a good place to start, as well as b&w horror films. And the oddball film like "Night of the Hunter", which defies categorizing. Freddie Francis was also a master at creepy b&w lighting; for example, look at "The Innocents." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seen the light Posted November 20, 2004 Author Share Posted November 20, 2004 thanks! I'll make sure i check out the Polanski films you mentioned. I'm intending to look into film-noir but i have no idea where to start. The Innocents sounds useful as the majority of the animation will be in black and white. If anyone else has any sugestions, keep em coming... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_adam Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Check out Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seen the light Posted November 21, 2004 Author Share Posted November 21, 2004 yeah ive seen it a couple of times but never payed any real attention/thought to the lighting... i'll maybe go back and rewatch it on your advice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Chris Keth Posted November 21, 2004 Premium Member Share Posted November 21, 2004 Citizen Kane and Apocalypse Now both use light in some very moody ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_adam Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 yeah ive seen it a couple of times but never payed any real attention/thought to the lighting... i'll maybe go back and rewatch it on your advice... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In Joel's head when he is running through the hallway with Tangerine trying not to be erased, the light is almost taken away except for a bit on the faces of both subjects if I recall correctly. I remember it giving me a weird feeling, and it was the first time a film has ever done that using light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fstop Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 You need to start with the basics, square 1: check out Dr. Caligari and German Expressionism. You'll see everything you are after evolved from there (and not that much, photographically speaking!) I'd also look at the way Artaudian theatre was lit too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Chris Keth Posted November 22, 2004 Premium Member Share Posted November 22, 2004 I thought of another one: "The Natural." It uses light as an active part of the story. Really beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seen the light Posted November 22, 2004 Author Share Posted November 22, 2004 thanks for all the suggestions folks - i'll make sure i look into all the films... anyone else wants to add some more, please do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F Bulgarelli Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 Requiem for a dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidSloan Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 The first Batman (michael Keaton). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Spear Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 I'd recommend pretty much any Burton (Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow) or M. Night Shyamalan film. I'd also check out Don Bluth's "Secret of Nimh" and Ralph Bakshi's "Fritz the Cat" for some more wonderful dark, brooding lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korhan20 Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 American Beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Erik Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 here's two cents worth, a wide range of fine, fine styles Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" "Umbrellas of Cherbourg" Murnau's "Faust" Lots of David Lynch's stuff Anything that Zhang Yimou's directed, esp. "Raise the Red Lantern". Recently: "Hero" Road to Perdition good luck EH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seen the light Posted December 3, 2004 Author Share Posted December 3, 2004 Man, what a great forum... thanks for all the suggestions guys. I have a few of these on DVD and im sure i can chase the rest up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lonedog Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 Jacques Tourneur's Cat People. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 (edited) Carpenters 'Halloween'. Night of the living dead. (bw) Edited December 3, 2004 by Jonas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Sargenius Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 Insomnia I have only seen the original Norwegian version, and it is one of the very few movies I've seen where the light is one of the characters (set during the midnight sun season). A few others also come to mind: The Conformist Blade Runner Days of Heaven Touch of Evil ... and the list goes on and on and on... : ) cheers Kim Sargenius cinematographer sydney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Greg Gross Posted December 5, 2004 Premium Member Share Posted December 5, 2004 PERSONA _Ingmar Bergman/sven nykvist "It takes time to learn how a face will take light. For me,the actor is and will always be the most important instrument in a film. My ability to capture the subtleties of a performance depends on using very little light and giving the actor as much freedom as I possibly can,and also on treating him or her in such a way that they never feel manipulated or exploited. I make a point of not annoying actors with light meters or by shining light in their eyes,and I will always tell them what I am doing. When I worked with Ingrid Bergman on Autumn Sonata, I wasn't used to working with stand-ins. The first day,Ingrid said to me,"Sven,how can you work without stand-ins?" For a moment I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't want to admit that it was mostly for economic reasons; nevertheless,what I replied was also true; "Its different to light with the stand- in,because the actors give me inspiration,if I can light them." She said ,"I will sit behind the camera the whole time,and whenever you want,I'll come up and stand where you need me." She was wonderful to work with. People often for- get the personality connection between the cinematographer and the actor is so important. Good actors react to their lighting." _sven nykvist Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aaron Slade Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 How could you go past BARRY LYNDON? Plus Amelie, City of Lost Children, Delicatessen, Seven, The Game, Fight Club, BLADE RUNNER, ALIEN and Withnail and I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Allen Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 In particular im trying to create a mood of fear and paranioa. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Seems like you have plenty of movie suggestions, but for a 3D version of this sort of mood, check out: http://www.studioaka.co.uk/picas/frame1.html as a reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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