Light Extreme

Cinematography Workshops

A grayscale gradient chart displaying varying shades from black to white, with ten labeled intervals from 0 to X.
Basic Zone System

Two Days Workshop — Cinematic Expression

Black and white film scene depicting a woman standing against a window with blinds, casting a shadow, while a man is seated at a table in the foreground.
The University of Southern California. MFA Cinematography – Dancing with Light

Goal:
To light the scene directly from mind image without video support. Students start with a scene idea, which gets deconstructed into elements of cinematic expression:
Lens (focal length, aperture), Light (quality, direction, intensity, style), Camera (static, dynamic), Exposure (light meter incident/reflected), Color.
Recorded scene is the exact reflection of mind image.

Program:

Lighting Mood
Lens F-stop vs F-stop of the Ambiance
Lighting Style
Direction of Key Light
Grey Card
Meaning. Relation to Scene F-stop on the Lens
Light Meter
Incident vs Reflected. When and Why. Difference between two readings
Low Key Scene
Ambiance f-stop vs Cam F-stop
Static Low Key vs Dynamic Low Key with Cam Movement
High Key Scene
Lens F-stop vs Ambiance F-stop
Motivated Lighting
Strategic placement of the prop light sources (TV, candle, etc) to motivate light direction
Night Candle
Static Low Key with candle light source
Dynamic Low Key with candle light source (person moving with a candle)
Planning Day Interior Scene – Location
Time of Day
Sun Position
Utilizing existing interior ambiance
Turning Night Interior into a Day Interior
Turning Day Interior into a Night Interior
Day Exterior
Control of the intensity of directional sunlight
Utilizing Sun Direction
“Changing” Sun direction
Fill Light
Day for Night Exterior
Utilizing Sun Direction
Cam Angle and Background

The image displays choices of elements of cinematic expression
Workshop Florence, Italy – Dancing with Light – Cinematic Expression