Making Better Movies with Moviestorm Vol 3: Sound and Light

HANDHELD LIGHTS
Technique
Film a sequence using lights that are held by the characters.
This is a useful technique for mysteries, exploration sequences, horror films, and so on. When you have characters
using flashlights, this allows them to direct the light. This means that you can control where the audience is looking,
and create shifting patches of darkness and light on the screen., which makes for an interesting visual sequence.
Most of the time, the lighting will not actually be created by the props: you will have to create a lighting design that
seems right, even though it is completely artificial. Filming in this kind of environment requires careful planning
otherwise the scene can be hard for the viewer to interpret. If there is too much darkness, or the lights are moving
too much, the image can appear disjointed and chaotic. This may be the effect you want, particularly in action
sequences, but you must ensure that the viewer still feels involved and interested.
Handheld lights are often moving. you should complete the previous exercise on moving lights first.
A character using a burning torch to illuminate a cave. The torch only provides part of the light: the set is lit
with a dim glow in order to provide some lighting outside the area that would actually be lit and create a more
pleasing composition. Cutting to the close shot creates a contract in light levels, from the primarily dark screens
at the opening and closing to a brighter shot in the middle of the sequence.
Take a scene in a single location – either interior or exterior. The set should have
plenty of things in it: if external, include trees, rocks, and so on. Have at least
one character with a hand-held light. Dialog is not necessary.
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