Discipline: Broadcasting Technology (Film/Television) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Film/Television 72


COURSE DESCRIPTION
72 Introduction to Lighting Design for Film and Television Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: FTV 44 or JOU 45 or FTV 48
Introduction to the practice of interpreting and implementing effective lighting designs for film, television, video and multimedia applications. Students will learn to use a variety of lighting techniques and instruments, both professional and improvised, to achieve specific artistic objectives. Course includes characteristics of light, quantity and quality of light, interpreting lighting requirements, and mood enhancement through the use of light. Subsequent enrollment will enable students to develop additional skills and proficiency in the practice of lighting design. May be taken a total of three times. 36 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Introduction to the practice of interpreting and implementing effective lighting designs for film, television, video and multimedia applications.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. Operate a variety of television production equipment including video cameras, microphones, lights, editing consoles, audio consoles, switcher and character generator.

  2. Operate a film camera and light meter.

  3. Work cooperatively in a team production environment.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Identify the elements of lighting used in a given film, television, 
      video or multimedia application and use appropriate instruments 
      and techniques to reproduce it.

2.   Identify and define the elements of lighting that influence the 
      look and feel of a variety of genre in media.

3.   Identify a variety of lighting instruments, their functions and 
      intensity.

4.   Use improvised materials to substitute for professional lighting 
      instruments.

5.   Describe a three-point lighting system including positioning, 
      direction and intensity.

6.   Describe the characteristics of light and the qualities of hard light 
      and soft light.

7.   Work cooperatively in a team using effective communication and 
      project planning.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. The Characteristics of Light
    1. Reflection of light
    2. Refraction of light
    3. Lenses and light
    4. Quality of light
      1. Definition and use of hard light
      2. Definition and use of soft light
      3. Definition and manipulation of color temperature
  2. Lighting as an Art Form
    1. Three-point lighting
      1. The key light to make the mood
      2. The fill light to taste
      3. The back light to separate
    2. Mood enhancement of the key light
      1. Flat light defined and utilized
      2. The Rembrandt nose shadow
      3. The “two eyes” key light
      4. Half light moods
      5. Three quarter back light
      6. Direct back light and its uses as a key
    3. The Completion of Mood
      1. Snoots and cutters
      2. Lighting the background
      3. Tricks of the trade
      4. Practical fixtures and their uses
  3. Interpreting Lighting in Multimedia
    1. Dissecting scenes from motion picture and television
      1. What is the mood?
      2. How was it enhanced by lighting?
      3. The scene close-ups, two-shots, master, “The line”
    2. Understanding the Master Painters from Rembrandt
  4. Improvised Lighting Instruments and Techniques
    1. The quality of light
      1. What makes hard light
      2. What makes soft light What makes directional light
    2. The quantity of light
      1. The measurement of light
      2. The spread of light
      3. The control of light
    3. Electricity and safety
      1. Cable splicing
      2. Mounting lights
      3. Isolating power sources
  5. Applied Techniques in Lighting
    1. Crew members’ roles and responsibilities in lighting
    2. Team dynamics
      1. Communication
      2. Cooperation
      3. Planning

Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Presenting class lectures, discussions and demonstrations in order to introduce students to principles, concepts and equipment.
  • Assigning cooperative learning tasks that enable students to practice skills in the use, care, proper storage of ighting equipment and associated cables, filters and connectors. 
  • Assigning small group activities that give students experience in working cooperatively in a team environment to create and problem solve lighting issues.
  • Inviting guest lecturers to share industry perspectives and expectation.
  • Taking field trips to expose students to state-of-the-industry workplace environments in which lighting is a key element. 
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class and small-group exercises that give students an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of skills in a real or simulated film, television or multimedia production environment.
  • Quizzes and exams that enable instructor to assess students’ comprehension of key concepts and principles.
  • Final applied project that demonstrates student’s ability to construct and execute a lighting plan that accomplishes a specified objective.
  • Demonstrated reliability as part of an overall production team
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Box, Harry C. . Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook. 3 ed. Focal Press, 2003.
  • McLean, Jack E. . Lighting from the Hardware Store. Author-published, 2007.
  • McLean, Jack E. . Work Book for Lighting. Author-published, 2007.
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