If you want to be taken seriously as a filmmaker your film must have "Production Value" and nothing kills production value like unrealistic / bad lighting.  Yes, if your story is good an audience of friends will forgive an amateur production, but if you want more you'll need to hire a professional crew or learn some tricks yourself.

The camera does not process light the same way as the human eye does. What you see is not what you get! While the eye relies on an expanded contrast range and the brain to automatically adjust for contrast and color changes, the camera has a comparatively limited color and contrast range. A Director of Photography must manipulate controlled lighting in order to replicate the images our mind sees.

All participants will spend time learning professional film crew techniques including how to create mood and control shadows while simultaneously making the most effective use of the existing light for dimension controlled composition. You’ll learn the proper operation of essential equipment including flags, nets, C-stands, butterflies and cookies. In addition everyone will also learn how ASA rating their camera and using the f-stop approach can save many headaches and many dollars.

This workshop begins with website download E-Learning and finishes with a 14 hour on location workshop that includes a farm style lunch with working dinner.

Who should take this workshop?

This workshop deals with lighting fundamentals and is recommended for anyone interested in learning high-end light carving techniques to enhance interviews, documentaries, industrials as well as short & feature-length films. This is also a great introduction to professional grip and electric training.

Who is the Instructor?

This workshop will be given by John Holser. John has worked as a gaffer on major motion pictures a Director of Photography on short films, commercials and corporate productions. John began his carrer by studying with Director of Photography Sol Negrin ASC; Robo Cop, St. Elsewhere, Kojack, etc

Receive a 15% discount if you email john@digitalfilmfarm.com  by 9/27/06. Please put Lighting Workshop in the subject area. I will email you a verification and secure a soft hold spot on this workshop. Send the email now and decide later.

Schedule - Professional Lighting

          7:00 - Set culture and the Lighting and Grip departments

• Film production workflow and why it’s so productive.
• Preparation and the location scout
• Lighting & Grip department duties

8:30 - An introduction to the basic electric and lighting equipment

• Lights & lighting characteristics
• Gripping and controlled diffusion
• Power distribution & tie ins

10:30 - Hands on set up of basic lighting equipment.

• Safety and flexibility
• Controlling the source
• Carving and kicking the subject

12:30 - Lunch

1:30 - An introduction to exposure

• Camera ASA ratings
• Meter exposure
• In camera contrast calculations

2:30 - Lighting for interviews

• Location factors
• Ambient Light
• Three Dimension quickie-quick
• Lighting for the CEO

5:30 - An introduction to making a set lighting diagram

• Defining the objective
• Directing the eye
• Strategic placement

6:30 - Preparation for mise en scene lighting set up

• Introducing the master plan
• Working from the plan
• Safe rigging & Control
• Walk through for camera

8:00 - Shooting mise en scene

• Tests and adjustments
• Keeping control
• Close up tweaking
• Match cut

9:30 - Proper Breakdown

• Hot light safety
• Back to work flow

Professional Lighting - $195

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