Research: Mise En Scene - Lighting and Colour - Ms Begum

Research: Mise En Scene - Lighting and Colour - Ms Begum     

What is lighting and colour? Why it is an important convention?

Lighting and colour could determine the brightness or darkness of the setting, the type of colour it should be, to enhance the mood of the scene. For example if it was low key lighting with red or hot white light, it would be stereotypical to a thriller or horror scene. It is important because it increases the emotion and boosts the level of mood. 

Angles of lighting 

Top lighting – Is when the lighting is above the character. This makes the character look weak, powerless, and also could portray innocence. 

Under lighting – Is when the lighting is below the character. This makes the character look powerful, it shows strength and portrays the character as supreme compared to the rest.

Back Lighting – This is when the lighting is behind the character, creating a shadow like effect on the person. It could be used to hide identity and cause curiosity.

Types of lighting 

Low-key – The lighting is dark with small areas of light, which also creates shadows. This may be used in a scene set in a dark room. 

High-Key – When the lighting appears more natural and realistic to our eyes. The lighting effect is lightened to create a more angelic view.

Conventional Lighting in thrillers

The common conventional lighting for thriller films is top lighting and under lighting, This is because it shows contrast between characters as needed and important upon the thriller genre. Thriller lighting tends to be low - key as thriller is meant to be full of mysteries and secrets, so the limited light boosts this feeling.

Conventional Colour in thrillers

Thrillers are usually full of dark and dull colours, as it is not a happy story even if some tend to end with a happy ending. No would really have thrill if a film was lit up by green and yellow colours, this may be because it is stereotypical for light colours to be related to babies or children, for this very reason it would take away the fear and danger in the scene.   

Thriller opening analysis

From watching the Scream opening scene I was able to understand why low key lighting was used throughout, to portray the danger that may be approaching the antagonist. Top lighting is also presented upon the female character to show her weakness within the film. 

Conclusion

From researching lighting and colour, I would use low key lighting throughout my opening scene, as this would give my piece a more fulfilled thriller effect. Also I could use top lighting and under lighting based on how I want to portray each character.