Step Into The Light:

In this exercise we tried to utilise lighting present within our environment to light our characters in specific ways. I decided to utilise the dappled lighting present outside the RMIT buildings on Ceyda as she read through our script. The epiphany I had whilst working through this exercise, was that it is extremely difficult to consciously notice light and therefore be able to utilise it. Unlike framing, which once displayed on a monitor is generally quite easy to decipher and thus adjust, lighting remains elusive. It seems that from a young age were often encouraged to decipher why a certain painting is good, or what you like about a particular photograph. This deciphering often includes references to things such as framing, subject, use of space or angles utilised. However, unless you are speaking to an art critic you are unlikely to hear someone say I like this painting because of the way the artist has depicted the light. This lack of experience in consciously noticing light, seems to lend itself to an inability to read it when required. Even whilst I had Ceyda physically standing in front of me, it was quite difficult to work out the best place to position her, to use the light in the way I wanted. I’d say move to the left and rotate your head to the right more, then realise I’d pushed her in the complete opposite direction to what I wanted – framing generally isn’t this hard. I must say however, that the most difficult exercises are generally the most enjoyable. So often you feel like your going through the motions whilst learning the ins and outs of filmmaking. That when you are truly challenged you suddenly have an eagerness that wasn’t never present whilst you were sitting well within your comfort zone.

The second epiphany I had whilst working through this is exercise, was that Ceyda is a great actor, even though she vehemently stated that she wasn’t! Lesson learnt: trust no (wo)man. Even if someone states that they’re a terrible actor you may be pleasantly surprised and they may even bring something to the character that you never even thought about.

 

Until next time,

Louise Alice Wilson