lighting a rainy night scene

[sarii]

hello everyone!!

i was contacted recently to be a gaffer for a short film. One of the final scenes is a night scene with rain (to be done with practical effects) with a sequence shot at the end. For the lighting planning, we’ve been thinking of lighting the scene from behind, with a fill to illuminate the character.

For the final part of the sequence  shot, my DP and i are considering keeping the backlighting (simulating street lights) and adding separate lights in front to illuminate the character at certain moments, also simulating street lighting.

i usually work more as a camera op. or an electrician, so any advice, corrections or guidance would be more than welcome!!

Topic

[Roger Deakins]

I am sure you are aware how light behaves differently in the rain. You might find that your street lights, when used as a backlight, may be enough and you might find yourself turning off lights that are behind camera. Take a look at Road to Perdition. I know the film had very strong stylized backlighting for the rain sequences but the concept is the same. Wide shots in silhouette against the light and that same light acting as a side light for closer coverage of the characters.

[Author]

Replies