NextLens
Owen Hamilton - Lighting | NextLens
Special | 1m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
Owen Hamilton elaborates on the importance of lighting in film.
Lighting may seem like one of the great mysteries of filmmaking, but much of it starts with something every filmmaker controls — blocking. Charleston-based Director of Photography Owen Hamilton shares how a scene’s layout, natural light, and practical sources like lamps or windows can create motivated, cinematic lighting — even on a low budget.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
NextLens is a local public television program presented by SCETV
NextLens
Owen Hamilton - Lighting | NextLens
Special | 1m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
Lighting may seem like one of the great mysteries of filmmaking, but much of it starts with something every filmmaker controls — blocking. Charleston-based Director of Photography Owen Hamilton shares how a scene’s layout, natural light, and practical sources like lamps or windows can create motivated, cinematic lighting — even on a low budget.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipWhile lighting can seem like the great mystery of cinema, a huge part of lighting happens on screen, right in front of everyone's eyes, and that is blocking.
I'm Owen Hamilton, a director of photography in Charleston, and I'm here to help NextLens filmmakers.
Where the characters are in relation to the environment, each other and the camera create the motivation for lighting.
Try exploring what light sources are present in the scene and what kind of lighting that would motivate.
Blocking scenes around windows and existing light sources gives you the opportunity to take an idea and run with it.
A lot can be done with practical lighting, especially those starting out with lower budgets.
Practical lights are sources that are already in the scene.
Lamps, overhead lighting, windows.
They complement production lighting sources.
Use the set to your advantage.
Put your practical lights in places that add dimension and natural motivation for your lighting.
For more production information and resources on short film submissions, check out scetv.org/nextlens.
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NextLens is a local public television program presented by SCETV