Creating an Atmosphere in Film
Filming Art Academy states "whether it's crafting an atmosphere of suspense, romance, or nostalgia, understanding how to manipulate light is essential for filmmakers." ( Filming Art Academy , no date) From my research I have found that lighting in terms of brightness, contrast, texture and colour are all used to create and manipulate atmosphere in film.
Examples of Mood Lighting to Create Atmosphere from Filming Art Academy
"Suspense and Tension
One of the most effective uses of lighting in film is to create an atmosphere of suspense and tension. Achieving this involves playing with contrast, shadows, and color temperature. To build suspense, consider the following techniques:
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Low-key lighting: Use minimal, dramatic lighting with deep shadows to obscure details and create a sense of mystery.
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Harsh, directional light: Illuminate specific elements while leaving others in the dark, heightening the feeling of uncertainty.
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Cold color temperature: Blue-toned lighting can evoke a sense of unease and isolation.
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Romance and Intimacy
Lighting is also an essential tool for conveying romance and intimacy on screen. Soft, warm lighting is often employed to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere:
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Soft, diffused light: Use diffusers or bounce lights to create a soft, flattering glow that minimizes harsh shadows on actors' faces.
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Warm color temperature: Yellow and orange hues can evoke feelings of warmth, love, and connection.
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Candlelight: For an especially romantic touch, consider using practical sources like candles or fairy lights.
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Nostalgia and Flashbacks
Nostalgic scenes often rely on lighting to transport viewers to another time or place. Achieving this effect involves careful attention to color and texture:
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Sepia tones: A sepia filter or color grading can give scenes a vintage, timeless quality.
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Soft focus: Create a dreamy, nostalgic look by slightly blurring the image, which can mimic the hazy recollection of memories.
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Practical lighting sources: Incorporate antique lamps or period-specific lighting fixtures to enhance the historical feel.
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Horror and Dread
For horror films, lighting can be a masterful tool in creating an atmosphere of fear and dread. The right lighting choices can make even the most innocuous settings feel sinister:
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High contrast: Extreme contrasts between light and dark can create a disorienting and unsettling visual experience.
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Unnatural colors: Experiment with unconventional colors like sickly greens and deep reds to evoke otherworldly or terrifying elements.
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Flickering or strobing lights: These effects can heighten tension and anticipation, making viewers uneasy. " ( Filming Art Academy, no date)
Yewande 103 - Work with Film
I researched Yewande 103's film work in preparation of filming for the projection element of my contribution. I focused on how they created an atmosphere within their films, and found that lighting, colour, the space in the frame and continuity / time of changing between film clips are all elements that form an atmosphere in a film.
For example My Heart Is Mine as It Is Yours and Ours, has bright lighting, includes cool colours such as blues, includes a frame that is gradually filled with objects and movement and layers clips rather than changing between them. Overall, the film gives me a sense of calm due to these elements and the pace further emphasises this because changes are small and gradual. From the examples above, I also feel the atmosphere created is nostalgic due to the slight blur in the overlayed films, which could link to the themes of the film - drawing from "memories and notes of reflection from the Live Art Development Agency team." (Yewande 103, no date, My Heart Is Mine as It Is Yours and Ours)
In comparison, the trailer for the film Fountain has darker lighting, including a lot of the colour black in the frame and has fast paced changes between the performers moving and clips of water and graphics of the way water moves. For me, this gave off an uneasy atmosphere, and I couldn't describe a specific mood but it gave off a sense of tension.
Image Credit: My Heart Is Mine As It Is Yours and Ours - Yewande 103
Image Credit: Fountain - Yewande 103
SURGE | Tom Dale Company - Projection
I went to watch SURGE live at Dance City and the connection between the dancer and the projection extremely stood out to me, they moved as one rather than being separate elements of the work. The projection mapping consisted of digital graphics and shapes, like something you would imagine in a game, rather than real life buildings and nature for example. This led me to think about how I wanted my projection to be viewed by the audience, was it that the projection was to add to the atmosphere in an environmental way or could I use the projection to give the dancers an obstruction in a way that would restrict their movement in terms of space and volume. Please see below 4 versions of projection from this influence.
Testing Ideas for Projection
Bibliography:
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Filming Art Academy (no date) Creating cinematic ambiance: Practical tips for mood lighting, Filming Art Academy. Available at: https://filmingartacademy.com/articles/creating-cinematic-ambiance-practical-tips-for-mood-lighting (Accessed: 09 April 2024).
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Yewande 103 (no date) My heart is mine as it is yours and ours, Yewande 103. Available at: https://www.yewande103.com/my-heart-is-mine-as-it-is-yours-and-ours (Accessed: 09 April 2024).