Maw’s Cabin • Lighting Breakdown

Welcome to the first episode of LIGHT HOW.

In this post I’ll discuss my creative process behind lighting the dinner sequence at Maw’s Cabin from the feature film RADIOFLASH. Techniques include how to create light shafts, tricks to augment practical lanterns and lighting actor’s faces when moving from a wide to the close-up.

 
 

In RADIOFLASH, we follow a teenaged girl whose life revolves around computers, gaming technology and Twitch. After an EMP wipes out all power on the western seaboard, she must escape from the rioting city and journey on foot to her grandfather’s mountain home.

For inspiration, we referenced movies with magical realism such as ET and THE GOONIES in an effort to blend our heroine’s world of modern technology with the Montana wilderness.

 
 

Much like these childhood films, RADIOFLASH embraces a richness in color with a strong presence of light and shadow to create mystery and suspense. These exaggerated aesthetics create a world where anything is possible, allowing the audience to suspend their sense of disbelief.  

 
 
Austin Schmidtcinematographer, director of photography, Arri Alexa, digital, cooke anamorphic, lighting tutorial, Radioflash, Austin F. Schmidt, Litemat, DF-50 Haze machine, Luminair, Bruno Delbonnel, Light beam shaft, Litegear1 Comment