A New Viewpoint on the Lighting of Motion Pictures
The lighting of motion pictures is discussed with relation to a new technic developed by the author and employed in several recent productions, notably “Anthony Adverse” and “The Life of Emile Zola.” — The use of artificial lighting for motion picture scenes originated with attempts to imitate the flat overall illumination produced by daylight on the early “daylight” stages. When the concepts of modelling and effect lighting were introduced, they were regarded merely as adjuncts to an overall flat general lighting. They have, in the main, so continued until today, despite the great advances made in optics and sensitive materials. — The author holds that under modern conditions, this technic is faulty. He has therefore dispensed with the so-called “general lighting,” and has for some time done all his lighting with various types of spotlighting units. This enables him to light more precisely; to accommodate his effects and his equipment to the physical requirements of modern production technic; and to achieve more natural effects upon the screen.
- Print ISSN
- 0097-5834
- Published
- 1937-08
- Content type
- Original Research
- DOI
- 10.5594/J08496