Theatre vs Television and FilmIn theatre the audience looks wherever they wish on stage. (Even if there is some sort of direction)Television and Film the director decides EXACTLY what the audience can and cannot see at every moment.Great power but should not be overused or abused.If used or abused has the potential of ruining the story.Audience AssumptionsAudience subconsciously assumes that there is a reason for what we see and images/ sounds match message being communicated.We the audience assume this until you the director seem to be an incompetent storyteller.As the AudienceYou have the right assume images, lighting, depth of field, colors, sound, music, dialogue, actions, framing of shots, type of editing ALL HAVE AN INTENDED MEANING.As the CreatorBe aware that the audience will process elements of the image and sound based on conscious and subconscious assumptions.YOU SHOULD HAVE A REASON FOR THE PRODUCTION ELEMENTS CHOSEN.WAYSAW (What Are You Saying About What)The key to this is to always have the one sentence answer to the question (waysaw)In writing the script, you write toward (waysaw).If you find yourself veering off that (waysaw) you need to come up with a new one.Adjust previous writing as well as new writing to the new (waysaw).Let clarity be your first museWAYSAW You are always clear about it in your head and on screen.Make sure your message is understood.Something is Always Being SaidVisually and durably whether or not you’re aware of it as an audience member or creator.As a creator you need to embrace that fact.In order to earn and maintain the audiences attention.Default ChoicesEven the default choices communicate somethingBe sure it is communicating what you want to be communicating.Lighting- evenly lit or with dramatic elements.Size of image- over the shoulder shot; different sized actors.Close ups.Framing- where in the frame? Taking up how much space?Eye level/ high angle/ low angle.Editing sequence and pace.All of these choices mean something.Ex: if you are trying to convey mystery you probably won’t have the set lit bright but dim the lighting and create shadows.Non Default ChoicesDoes it have a purpose?When should they be used?When should they not be used?The best answer? IT DEPENDS on the situation.IntentionalityAnother key element.What did the creator have in mind when creating that series? Writing that episode? Casting that actor? Applying the visual elements?What helps answer these questions are DVD extras and pod casts.The First Aesthetic Field: LightThe Nature of LightLight is a form of radiant energy.Part of the electromagnetic spectrum that includes radio waves, x-rays, satellite transmissions and microwaves.A beam of light is invisible until it hits a reflecting agent.Light is referred to as having color temperatureSunlight= blueArtificial light= orangeFluorescent light= greenLighting Purposes and FunctionsLight is essentialLight orients us in space and time.Light affects our emotionsTV, film, videos and animations= pure light shows.Lighting in TV and film IS the deliberate manipulation of light and shadows for a specific communication purpose.Lighting is the deliberate control of light.The purpose of lighting is control of perception.Lighting lets media professionals tell their viewers what time of year or time of day it is (outer) and also what emotions are going on in the scene (inner).Lighting reveals…What objects look like.Where they are located.What textures they have.Purpose of Lighting…To manipulate and articulate the perception of our environment.To establish a context for our experiences.To establish a framework that tells us how we should feel about a certain event.What light HAS to do…Provide for a sufficient illumination to record a film and make up for differences in contrast for the eye.Enhance the illumination of two and three dimensionWhat light CAN do…It can affect you emotionally.Nature of ShadowsMany times we take shadows for granted.When we design lighting, shadows become very important.You can’t intensify and clarify the shapes and textures of people and things through simple illumination – you do this with shadows.Shadow is needed to communicate depth.Attached shadowsAre fixed to their objects as long as the object stays under the same lighting conditions.Helps us interpret the basic shape and texture of something.Cast shadowsHelp us locate objects relative to its surroundings.Indicate location.Provide drama.Tell a story.Fall Off is the change from light to shadow.Slow Fall Off gradual change from light to dark.Controlling Fall Off most lighting is dedicated to controlling fall off rather than eliminating it.Function of Color-Structuring color to use color for clarifying and intensifying a media event.Informational function of colorColor tells us more about an event that we would know without color.Colors make events more realistic and gives us specific information about conditionsHelps distinguish among objects and establish an easy to read codeThe information use of color is useless when using black and white. (All the same to us) .The main objective of the informational function of color is clarity- be clear about what the colors you see are transmitting.Color symbolismColor has been used for many years to symbolize behavior, events and beliefs.Associations are learned differently depending on individual upbringing and culture.Color of mourning- black, whiteColor of wedding- red, whiteExpressive Function of ColorColors make us feel a certain wayExpress the essential quality of an object or event.Certain colors can add excitement and drama to an event or help establish a mood.Yellow= happy, warmthColors excite us or calm us down and can dramatically intensify scenes.A warmly- colored scene may communicate affection or passion.Cold colored scene may indicate mystery.Postproduction software can be used to adjust levels in your scene to convey feelings.Shindlers List example: Girl in red coat is the only color in the entire movie. Conveys innocence, blood etc.Use of Color in Black and White FilmsEx: PleasantvilleColor is key to the premise of the storyDifferent characters are/ are not aware of them being in color or B&W during different parts of film.1950’s morals brought into to new modern age.“Learning to live”Bottom line = regarding color you have many choices to make.Make them intentionallyColor and color composition should work with all other aesthetic elements of your production
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