As we embark on a study of lighting, we need to be mindful of a few things, that is,  equipment and props make up part of the lighting process. This is an addition to our Supernatural study, whilst I have added something to switch it up and keep ideas fresh.

Equipment

As we watch the first 3-4 minutes of Trent’s video, note the equipment he uses. A round flashlight is used, along with a pumpkin with a candle (the pumpkin would need something to light it), and some filler lighting in the forest. 

Trent has worked in the industry, including on the Marvel films, and therefore has industry knowledge, which he uses in his introduction. His travel YouTube channel is titled Trent the Traveler, and you would like to look at some of his work.

Given that this scene takes place at a campground, a fire pit was available, which wasn’t used but is worth noting. The pumpkin is placed upon a rock, which is technically a prop, also at the campground.

His van is lit as well, and you could classify it as a prop and lighting, given that it was optional for him to use it. If you were using a tent, that would be an option. If a building is in the background, could you use some lighting on it? Be mindful of what is available in a scene and how it could add to a story, as well as the lighting. 

The flashlight is an excellent round light that transfers well to the footage. Shapes are worth considering to add some drama.

Props

The pumpkin, a candle, a torchlight, and using objects on set (in this case, a campground) could all be considered props. The van is a rather large addition, but it enhances the story and set. 

Using props and lighting is not to be overlooked. 

If you were doing something for a Christmas scene, how could you use lights on a Christmas tree, other decorations, or even artificial candles? Don’t overlook the obvious and sometimes cheaper options.

Think about what we see. Here are some questions you could ask yourself when setting up a scene.

• What time of day is it? In this scene, we see that the sun has set, and it is dark.
• Is it a cold or a warm-weather scene? We can see that Trent is wearing clothing that would be appropriate for cold weather.
• What season is it? The pumpkin hints that it is Halloween.
• What kind of atmosphere is the introduction creating? The darkness set with the filler lights, behind the van, along with a round torchlight and a glowing pumpkin, creates an eerie feeling, possibly leading to a spooky or a mystery storyline?
• What else is happening? The scene takes place at a campsite with a holiday van, suggesting some adventures and travel.
• How does Trent use the van’s lighting? It is all lit up, showing the viewer that he is getting ready to go to bed after a bit of camping, and it provides the light he needs to start the scene, provided by interior van lights already present. 
• What colour lights to use? White does illuminate, while other colours can add atmosphere, but the downside is that some of them can wash everything out; for example, blue washes everything out and neutralises makeup. 

Having notes on what you want to achieve makes life and communication with your team clearer and easier. It takes the guesswork out of what the desired end result is. 

Breaking down a scene

I know that most “close looks” at a scene like to get rather analytical, you know, “she glanced at him across the sand, while the sunset with the breeze moving gently through her hair, whilst their eyes locked.” This is not that article.

I will add that I have indeed studied film and TV, which included some analytical components. When studying a scene, it’s best to keep it short, so the scene I picked is about 3 minutes long and serves as the introduction to the video, therefore, it’s not too hard to find. 

The video is a standalone done by Trent the Traveller on YouTube. He has worked in the industry, including the Marvel Universe. 

I am also on Trent’s Patreon, so I had some inside knowledge of what went into the scene. It took him a few days to come up with the concept and about 2 days to turn his ideas into reality. He had shared a “behind the scenes” look on his Patreon page as he works on it. The lighting was excellent, and that is what I want to discuss. The video is above.

The Scene

Bringing it together, the scene opens with a camper in a van getting ready to finish up for the night (also depicted by him blowing out the pumpkin candle). We can see it is a van and that it is well-lit. 

Upon exiting the van, Trent is carrying a round flashlight, which he moves around to create atmosphere. It is also an excellent shape, giving a dynamic as well as an air of mystery. We see he is wearing warm clothing, telling us it is chilly. 

The cable is blown out in the pumpkin, so we are looking at a Halloween season. After the pumpkin is blown out, Trent stands up, and we see soft lighting behind him reflecting on his hair. This fills the scene well so the viewer is not looking a pitch blackness. 

The flashlight is moved around, investigating the area. Trent then moves back to the van before moving the flashlight around to investigate. This all builds the story for the viewer. 

The scene in the van is generic, getting ready for bed, but as the lights go out, a pensiveness and pondering while glancing out a window. Leaving an unanswered question, what is out there?

Lights go out as the scene fades, the only lights now are the filler lights in the forest behind the van, thus illuminating the background and the van, which is in the foreground.

Some takeaways

What equipment did Trent use?

What season is it?

What time of day is it?

How does it tell a story?

What atmosphere does this create?