Southern Comfort - Daytime lighting

[kaos1000]

Mr. Laszlo,

Thank you in advance for your generosity and participation in this forum.

I am currently enjoying your book "Every Frame a Rembrant". I am doing as you suggest by viewing the films you cover in the chapters and I am learning a great deal.

Question about Southern Comfort:
You state in your book that along with using "black dot" filters to tame the beauty of the swamp, that in this film, virtually all of the daytime photography is done without supplemental lighting (film lights). As a newbie......I find this absolutely fascinating.........If I am understanding you correctly, all of this daytime photography is done in the natural light of that swamp? (I realize that you used diffusers and such to stop the light down)

Does that mean that all of these nice looking closeups and two shots were filled with reflectors?......or did the diffusers soften the natural light enough to eliminate the harsh shadows?

This is an incredible looking film.

Thank you for being available to answer our questions.

kaos

 

[LaszloASC]

Dear kaos:

Basically, the purpose of not using lights in the swamp was to make the film more believable. If the shots, particularly the close-ups were photographed with studio lighting techniques, all the film would have ended up looking like a studio photographed film. This is not to say that I did not use a bit of help by adding light here and there. The guide was to use minimal amount of lighting, and keep it at a level wher it would not be noticeable. My credo as applied to lighting and special effects was always that "it was good if you didn't see it."

Best,

A.L.

 

[LaszloASC]

Dear kaos:

Basically, the purpose of not using lights in the swamp was to make the film more believable. If the shots, particularly the close-ups were photographed with studio lighting techniques, all the film would have ended up looking like a studio photographed film. This is not to say that I did not use a bit of help by adding light here and there. The guide was to use minimal amount of lighting, and keep it at a level wher it would not be noticeable. My credo as applied to lighting and special effects was always that "it was good if you didn't see it."

Best,

A.L.

 

[vervor]

so are you in line with nestor almendros and his ideals?

i must say I think this way as well when I'm lighting - it HAS to be practically motivated and 'real' not contrived looking - its more of a MUST than just some path to follow to me...