Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Q. How does a project’s genre influence your approach to lighting? David Moxness, ASC, CSC: Regardless of genre, story comes first. My approach and goal is to complement and tell that story via the photography. Mood and feeling play a big factor. When lighting for a particular genre the type and style of lighting, hard/soft,… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Connecting the Dots Crew engagement and collaboration. By Hiro Narita, ASC More often than not, filmmakers have their beginning in diverse disciplines – from writing, acting, music, architecture – the list is abundant. Having started in graphic design and illustration, storytelling with moving images ultimately became my aspiration. Through unlikely paths, some of us chose… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Shed Some Light Exclusive Interview with John Simmons, ASC StudentFilmmakers Magazine: You were nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series (2020) for the “Family Reunion” episode, “Remember Black Elvis?” Can you please talk with us about the episode traversing through time? John Simmons, ASC: “Family Reunion” is very conscious of our historical and present… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
STUDENTFILMMAKERS: What changes have you seen in the computer animation and VFX industry over the years? Lee Lanier: When I began working as a 3D animator, in 1994, there were only a few places that possessed the technology usable for film – Los Angeles and San Francisco. Now, 3D animation software is available to everyone… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
StudentFilmmakers Magazine: What are your thoughts on the LED lighting movement? Alan Steinheimer: In the beginning LEDs for filmmaking were subpar, typically with a green tint. In my mind the ARRI SkyPanel was the big breakthrough; a whole line of LED lights with a higher CRI, no green tint, RGBW control, and on-going improvements… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
StudentFilmmakers Magazine: How did you get your start in filmmaking? Did you go to film school? Peter Levy, ASC: I dropped out of high school at 17, and I tried to make a buck out of being a photographer. By the time I was 19, I did the stills on an independent film in… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
By Gabriel Garcia Rosa My friend Danny Mirabal shared with me this affordable lightweight lighting kit for $198 that we use once in a while when we don’t want to carry heavy equipment. I just wanted to share this affordable kit that can be used in any shoot, particularly in documentaries. This is what you… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Interview conducted by Jody Michelle Solis StudentFilmmakers Magazine interviews Telly and multi-award winning Director of Photography Tom Robotham, who is an inventor of LED lighting. What inspired you to invent the Blender® Light? Tom Robotham: I invented the Blender® Light because I liked the efficiency and portability of battery operated LED lights, but was… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
By Thomas McKenney At a recent lighting seminar in Hollywood co-hosted by American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) and the Digital Cinema Society (DCS), Michael Goi, ASC Vice President, opens his presentation stating, “There is no such thing as bad lighting.” Lighting is a tool, or collection of tools, that serves the story. Where to begin? … …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Exclusive Interview with Patrick Cady, ASC: Camerawork, Lighting, and Transitioning from DP to Director StudentFilmmakers Magazine: Can you talk about your experience as a cinematographer who has occasionally transitioned to the director’s chair? Patrick Cady, ASC: I’ve been a cinematographer for 20 years now. I was an electrician and Gaffer, and before that I… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
I received an e-mail query from a University of Colorado cinema student approaching his first interior shoot with 16mm Kodak Vision 500T raw stock. His central question was how to expose the film using studio lighting, in this case a kit limited to three open faced quartz lights. Although he had prior experience as a… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Over the years I’ve answered many questions from students regarding lighting. One thing I want to emphasize is that what matters most is developing a visual imagination so that one can “see” the lighting in one’s mind. I don’t think one should tell someone how to light something, just as I wouldn’t tell a painter… …
