Main Task - Production - Lighting Workshop

In Film Noir it is conventional to only use ONE light at a time.

Before filming you should identify where the light source is.

If setting up a light then remember the following;

• Work at your height level.
• Do not shake the red head.
• Powerlead from the red head to hang DOWN.
• Barn doors on the red head to be facing a leg of the stand.
• Do not use lights outside.
• Click "Set, Test, Reset" before plugging in the surge protector (Yellow, Red, Yellow).
• DO NOT use extension leads.
• The top of the light to be 1 metre from the roof.

Lights from the roof is called "Top Lighting"

When turning on the lights you should shout "Lights being turned on, do not look into the lights", everyones immediate reaction will be to look, so give it a two second gap before switching them on.

Before putting the light away you should be able to put your bare skin on the top of the red head for 5 seconds.

3 Point lighting:

There is 3 lighting positions that you can use, these are;

• Key light
• Fill light
• Back light

Key light - This is the most influenctial light and is normally placed infront of the main action of the scene.


Fill light - This is placed oposite the key light to brighten up the scene.


Back light - This is placed behind the main action of the scene but not directly behind so that it is not in shot.




This is also shown by this diagram ;



To back this up this video explains all ;