Lighting in Wilderness

By Tom O’Driscoll

The diegetic key light of the projector draws focus away from the location and

towards our disturbed character, establishing his importance in the thriller

The diegetic candlelight acts as a fill light to create a warm, familiar tone to the scene, whilst also connoting

cult-like rituals

We decided to predominantly use diegetic light as it made the clip seem more real; the more non-diegetic light used the less absorbing the clip would become.

The hard light of

the projector creates

an abrasive

and uncomfor

table tone to

the scene.

A chiaroscuro effect is created via the stark contrast between light and dark in this scene, enforcing a sense of drama

The mise en scene of this shot is very dark and the unnatural yellow diegetic light of the

street light enforces the urban location

Similar to the candles in the last shot, the colour temperature of the street

light is warm and familiar, making this shot unnerving.

Once again, the low key lighting of the shot continues to create a dark mise

en sceneThe light is much softer in this shot which

lulls the audience into a false state of reassurance

The diegetic light of the projector becomes a backlight that emphasizes Gareth’s strength, despite his childish attire and surroundings

The diegetic green light of the emergency signs created a sickly tone to the scene, as they jut into the clip randomly and unnaturally

This shot is predominantly in darkness, continuing the dark mise en scene of the thriller as a whole. The lack of hard or fill light in this shot makes it especially dark: Its location near the

end of the clip foreshadows his inevitable dark actions

The positioning of the projector allows some rim light to briefly outline Gareth, reminding the audience of his real stature and power

Freya’s sudden entrance is dramatized by the flood of non-diegetic backlight behind her as the door opens; she breaks

through the darkness of the hall.

The static coming through on the projector creates a hazy overlay on Gareth, this is reflective of his mental state: Like a television between two channels, Gareth is caught between a child’s mindset and adult responsibility

The sudden burst of light silhouettes Freya, demonstrating to the audience that the focal point is

Gareth’s knife

Once again, the chiaroscuro effect is

prevalent