How Hit Movies use Practical RGB Light Bulbs on Set
The art of cinematography is complex, including a wide range of lighting and tips. However, fortunately, you don’t need to go to cinematography institutes or take filmmaking courses to learn aspects of a good film shot. Did you know that some of the greatest filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, and Stanley Kubrick have never attended a film school?
So, where does one start on the journey for those aspiring to become cinematographers? This guide teaches you tips for utilising RGB light bulbs as practical lighting options on a professional set. It includes valuable resources such as video breakdowns, frames explained, and links to handy articles on cinematography. Lets get started...
Why use RGB light bulbs in filmmaking?
Today, RGB light bulbs have become a versatile tool in the filmmaking industry as their ability to set the mood and atmosphere enhances visual storytelling. It is a light source that not only empowers filmmakers to push the boundaries of cinematic expression but also stands out for its cost-effectiveness without compromising performance. By leveraging the capability of gradual colour shifts and intensity adjustments, filmmakers can accentuate crucial moments in the narrative, thereby constructing a visually compelling and immersive experience for audiences.
RGB bulbs can be used in the place of normal bulb fittings such as in lamps and ceiling lighting, enabling you a natural light source for your set with the ease that comes with the remote and app control. The RGB functions allow you to use these bulbs as a normal light, or to create eerie effects, plus any built-in special effects such as lighting flashes or flickering saves you time and money on manual effects.
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Tip 1: Setting the mood with Colour
RGB light bulbs provide filmmakers with a dynamic colour range to paint their scenes. The ability to choose specific hues empowers filmmakers to convey emotions with unparalleled precision. Warm tones like reds and oranges infuse a scene with intimacy, while cooler blues and greens create an air of tension or mystery. For example, in "Master of None”, one of the most popular Netflix series, two RGB light bulbs are used, simply set as blue and red colour lights. It creates a passionate and lonely environment, while positioning them in the back provides romantic and memorable shots. This tip also is recreated in the ‘Nostalgic Skating Rink’ by Jameson Brooks, the TP4R and C7R bulbs are used, creating a unique colour palette in film.
Source: Master of None, 2015 - Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang
Tip 2: Creating Dimensions and Depth
Secondly, RGB light bulbs enable filmmakers to highlight a character, an object, or a key backdrop. It draws the viewer’s attention to different elements, enriching the overall narrative. On the other hand, you can use a classic technique like backlighting by placing RGB light bulbs behind the subjects. It not only enhances the three-dimensional feel of shots but also makes characters or objects stand out against their surroundings. Utilising RGB light bulbs strategically placed along the alley can be another solution to create an atmospheric journey with shifting colours, adding an extra layer of intrigue.
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Tip 3: Practical Effects:
Another technique is called “practical lights” or “practicals”. This approach allows filmmakers to replicate a variety of light sources, including lamps, candles, TVs, computers, flashlights, or even car headlights. In film shooting, these RGB light bulbs establish motivated light sources in a scene and create a scene of realism for the audience. For example, by adjusting the colour temperatures and intensities of these RGB bulbs, filmmakers can replicate the warmth of sunlight streaming through a window or the cool tones of an overcast day, enhancing the believability of outdoor scenes. In other ways, in night-time scenes, placing RGB light bulbs can replicate the ambient glow of city lights. It fills the gap between fantasy and reality with striking visual authenticity.
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Which RGB light bulb is better? Godox C7R, C10R or Aputure B7C
Godox C7R, C10R RGBWW Bulb OR Astera NYX Light Bulb Photo.
Image Source: Steve Jobs (2015) - example practical lighting
Tip 4: Traditional Lighting:
Unlike traditional lighting setups that may require time-consuming adjustments, RGB bulbs are amenable to real-time changes at the touch of a button, allowing for a more collaborative and creative filmmaking process. It is especially valuable for large scenes, for example, “The Prestige, 2006" when a variety of light bulbs are used. Thanks to it, you can establish a unified colour palette that aligns with the mood and atmosphere you want to convey, ensuring a seamless transition between RGB and traditional sources. It allows scenes to organically evolve and provides a smooth visual experience for the audience.
Image Source: The Prestige, 2006
Tip 5: Colour Palette:
In other ways, RGB light bulbs empower you to convey the emotional and thematic aspects of your story. It is usually called a colour palette, helping to reinforce emotions, highlight character arcs, or create a visual language that resonates with the narrative. In the Ex Machina movie and Amelie, for instance, read lighting is strictly used in countless psychological horror films. They turned the lights a purple colour to create a dream-gone bad atmosphere. Utilising this knowledge, strategically infuse your scenes with colours that amplify the emotional impact of the narrative.
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- Red: love, excitement, anger, pain, violence, danger.
- Blue: peace, hope, faith, truth, calm, sadness.
- Yellow: happiness, summer, youth, venom.
- Orange: warmth, autumn, alert, exotic, toxic.
- Green: nature, health, freshness, jealousy, poison.
- Purple: wisdom, faith, magic, power, death.
Key Takeaway
RGB light bulbs enable users to set the mood and atmosphere as well as provide a cost-effective lighting option for filmmaking. With the versatility of RGB light bulbs, they can be used to convey emotions and create dimensions, add depth through strategic lighting placement, offer practical lighting for realistic scenes and even create traditional lighting setups with real-time adjustments. In summary, this guide not only introduces the importance of RGB light bulbs in cinematography but also provides actionable tips that can be applied by both beginners and experienced filmmakers.
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