Research:Mise En Scene-Lighting and colour- Miss Begum

                  

                        Lighting and Colour 

 

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

 

Lighting is an element of mise en scene however it is not a micro element. Lighting helps to convey the mood and  atmosphere. It can be used to guide the audiences attention to a particular object, person, emotion or gesture. For example low lighting is used when something bad is going to happen creating suspense and anticipation. Lighting creates more meaning than we think. It is an important convention as it improves the quality of an image that the audience can see. It is also important as it is a visual element that dictates how a character or scene is to be interpreted. Colour is the filters added to lighting to create a more obvious effect. Colour is an important convention as it connotes particular emotions and moods and gives different interpretations.

Barthes theory of semiology demonstrates denotation and connotations which is suitable when discussing light as the denotation of light and colour have different connotations based on the colours used and the position of the lighting, for example the denotation of the colour black connotes danger and darkness therefore should be used during a murder scene giving the audience a clear understanding and preparing them for the events to occur.

Lighting is split into two, there is angles of lighting and types of lighting. 

Angles of lighting- use examples
 

Angles of lighting consists of under lighting, back lighting and top lighting.

 

 

Under lighting comes from below the character and tends to have a distorting effect on them. Under lighting has been used in this scene on the antagonist representing him as an evil character with dark intentions. Although his life is at risk the audience have no sympathy as he does not have a sympathetic persona and still looks as if he is up to something. The use of the under lighting used on the antagonist is conventional to the thriller genre as it presents them in a negative way and creates a chilling response from the audience who fears the antagonist. 

 

Back lighting is when a light source comes from behind the character. If no light is used silhouettes are created and the audience respond with fear or disgust. In this scene back lighting is used when the antagonist commits the murder. The use of the back lighting allows the antagonists persona not to be revealed creating mystery for the audience as they fear the antagonist. This creates a chilling response from the audience as they are able to see what the antagonist is capable of without being identified symbolising his knowledge and psychotic personality. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the antagonist to create mystery without being identified making the protagonists work to defeat him harder. The use of back lighting Is conventional to connote darkness and disequilibrium occurring.

 

 

Top lighting comes from above the charter and highlights the features of the character. It creates a glamorous look. Top lighting is evident in this scene on the protagonist. The protagonist Is bending down and is clearly concentrating demonstrating his intelligence and knowledge causing the audience to have faith in the protagonist. The top lighting portrays the protagonist superiority and the lighting reinforces his actions. This is conventional to the thriller genre as top lighting is used on the protagonists to symbolise their courageous and powerful manner representing their dominance.

 

 

What angle of lighting is conventional in thrillers and why?

 

All the above types of lighting are conventional to thriller films as they all portray the different types of characters in certain ways. For example, under lighting is likely to be used on antagonists portraying them as evil and powerful while top lighting is used on protagonists representing them as superior and confident. Back lighting is also probable to be used on antagonists creating silhouettes and shadows creating more suspense and tension for the audience.

 

 

Types of lighting-use examples

 

Lighting consists of two types- low key lighting and high key lighting

 

 

 

Low key lighting is dark with small areas of light which creates shadows. Low key lighting is perceived in this scene when the antagonist is standing behind the victim. There is very little light and the only light visible is the light coming through the window, creating fear and suspense as the audience are also left in the dark about what is going to happen to the victim. This creates a chilling response from the audience as the antagonist looks horrifying and therefore freaks the audience out creating panic. This is conventional to a thriller film as low key lighting is used during the disequilibrium when the antagonist is causing problems connoting danger.

High key lighting appears more natural and realistic to our eyes. The effect is heightened. High key lighting is evident in this scene when the two protagonists stand inside the car, this symbolises that the protagonists are dominant and are able to defeat the antagonists with their skills. The effect is heightened as the pressure is on for the protagonists as they know they must not let the audience down as they are relying on them. This is conventional to the thriller genre as high key lighting is used to highlight the protagonists skills and creates excitement for the audience.


What type of lighting is conventional in thrillers and why?

Low key lighting is conventional in thriller films as it adds to the fear and tension that is built through the storyline and is usually dramatic heightening the suspense for the victims and the audience. Furthermore, it also presents the antagonist as frightening and low key lighting is used during the disequilibrium when the problems occur.


 Colour in scenes- use examples

Dark colours such as black, red and green are used in thriller films as they connote bad intentions and creates fear amongst the narrative.

                                                     Black and white lighting

In this scene the colours black and white are used connoting danger and supernatural. These colours are a powerful form and black connotes strength however also connotes negativity associated with fear and suspense. on the other hand, the colour white connotes light and innocence highlighting the characters persona contrasting with danger. Black and white is conventional to the thriller genre as they symbolise danger and tension and fit in with the thriller genre.


                                                             Red lighting

 
Red lighting is evident in this scene when the female antagonist sees the antagonist behind the curtain. The colour red connotes danger and a sense of terror representing the antagonist as a powerful and fearful individual who is capable of anything considering entering the bedroom. This creates a chilling response from the audience as they fear for the victims life. the colour red also connotes blood and fire highlighting the possible problems the antagonist can create such as murder. The colour red is conventional to the thriller genre as tension is built and adrenaline is created for the audience and the victim who is in danger.
 

                                                          Green lighting

Green lighting is used in this scene connoting envy and deceit. This symbolises that the antagonist has the traits of envy as he envies the protagonist and does everything in his power to defeat the protagonist, he Is also deceitful as he is mischievous as he creates he protagonists problems. This creates a chilling response from the audience as they despise the antagonist and fear that the protagonist will be unable defeat the antagonist. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the antagonist is expected to cause major problems for the protagonist due to envy and deceit which makes the antagonist driven and determined.


What types of colours are conventional in thrillers and why?

The types of colours that are conventional in thriller include black, red, green, white and orange. These colours connote danger, death and innocence which are all major themes of the thriller genre and therefore fit in well with the genre. Dark colours are more conventional compared to light colours as they create suspense and thrill.


Analyse a scene identifying the use of colour and lighting.

 

In this scene from 'The Moon In The Gutter' low key lighting is used. This is evident as the characters walk through the night which is evident through the use of the moon connoting darkness and the female victims innocence. The low key lighting results in shadows being formed creating suspense and mystery of the antagonists identity. Furthermore, top lighting is also used supporting the low key lighting, however the top lighting comes from the moon which is a natural light source. The top lighting allows the audience to see the characters shoes assuming the characters roles, which is a female victim being followed by a psychotic antagonist. The speed at which they move speeds up from walking to running highlighting threat and fear from the female victim, as they antagonist also begins to speed up the audience are aware that he is psychotic and capable of murder. The audience respond with a chilling response as they are filled with adrenaline and fear for the victims life as they predict what is going to happen. The theme of danger is symbolised through the use of dark colours such as red and black which connotes darkness, mystery and death which is soon revealed through the victims death. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for murders take place at night when crimes are more likely to take place and the antagonist is able to escape without being caught.


conclusion: What types of lighting and colour are you now planning to use and why?

When I am creating my thriller film I will ensure that I try to use all of the types of lighting as they are all conventional to the thriller genre and are used for different characters and in different situations. I will use under lighting to portray the antagonist presenting them as evil with dark intensions causing a chilling response from the audience. I will also use back lighting when filming the antagonist creating mystery through the use of shadows and silhouettes that are created. When filming the protagonist I will use top lighting portraying them as superior and intelligent causing the audience to have faith in the protagonist. I will use low key lighting when filming the disequilibrium to create tension and anticipation for the victims and characters. High key lighting will not be suitable unless the disequilibrium takes place in the afternoon which is highly unlikely as it will not have the same effect as it would at night. I will use dark colours including red, black, blue and white in order to create fear and suspense. Overall, in order to make my thriller suitable to the thriller genre I will use lighting and colour appropriately ensuring connote the correct interpretations ,for example if I want the theme to be death, the colour black should be used to connote death.