Lighting in film is an extremely effective way to get a point across without using words. Low key lighting can make characters seem sinister very easily or just make scenes far more dramatic, whereas high key lighting can bring eeriness to a new level.
The eerie effect of high key lighting is most effectively demonstrated in the movie Fargo by the Coen brothers. At several key points during the film, the Coen brothers take a long shot from a high angle in high key lighting with snow all around, and the effect is one of a kind. This kind of shot is part of what Fargo is known for, and a large reason for why I consider Fargo the Coen brothers' best piece of work.
The sinister effect of low key lighting, on the other hand, is shown in the movie we all just watched, Citizen Kane. One good example is when Kane is signing his Declaration of Principles, his face is completely in shadow, giving him a crueler visage than that of Bernstein and Leland next to him in the light. This foreshadows Kane's eventual turn to reporting dishonestly. Another example of low key lighting in Citizen Kane is the scene in which Kane tells Susan in no uncertain terms that she will continue singing. Kane towers over her and his shadow lies imposingly upon her entire body, not making her look sinister, but more weak and helpless.
So basically both high and low key lightings have different effects, and when used correctly are very good at producing those effects.
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4 comments:
I totally agree with your take on the low-key lighting used in Citizen Kane. It really does make Kane seem almost evil or like something terrible is going to happen to him. The lighting really plays a key role in making or breaking most of the scenes. Another place where i saw low-key lighting was when Kane was sitting high up in the stands watching Susan sing. He was pretty much the only one that was dark out of the audience. It seemed like he was really mad or at least going to become very angry, which he did later when he finished Leland's review of Susan's performance.
A director's choice in lighting is definitely important to the message put across by the scene. For example, low key lighting in horror films make a scene eerie, while high-key would make a scene completely not-scary.
Sometimes I think people can read too much into the lighting though. I think its funny when the director says that the lighting was an accident, while people come up with all these reasons why lighting would be the way it is.
yeah i never thought of high-key lighting as eerie before, that was interesting. I dunno if i agree that the low-key lighting in Citizen Kane makes him look evil. I thought it made him look confused or something.
The low key lighting in Citizrn Kane was very well done in Citizen Kane. That was the only part that interested me, seeing the effect of lighting and who it played in the film.
Sadly I have not seen Fargo...I know right.. When I do I will hopefuly see your eerie effect thought and how big the effect is.
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