Category: News

Fans Mad About Game of Thrones Lighting

Posted on by J3551CA

Game of Thrones fans took to social media after the Battle of Winterfell episode to voice their displeasure about the series’ lighting – or lack thereof. Lighting is an essential element for any scene, but recent lighting decisions by the show’s cinematographer made it extremely difficult for home viewers to see much of the action that was taking place.

Lighting delivers an emotional impact for every scene and the show’s cinematographer placed the blame not on the lighting, but the way that audiences were viewing it. He noted that Game of Thrones is lighted in the same way as a feature film and that home viewers didn’t know how to adjust their TVs properly.

He also sited watching on mobile devices that aren’t appropriate for cinematic filming techniques, watching in a brightly lit room, and compression of the episode by HBO that affected visual quality. The cinematographer also said the lighting was designed to give the impression of disorientation as it would be if the battle was real. The battle did take place at night so it was a low light environment, making the lighting decisions even more critical.

It’s a perfect example of how lighting decisions can make or break an episode or an entire film. It’s also an illustration of how light can be used to represent the clash between good and evil. The points made by fans and the cinematographer were all valid. Compression does degrade quality and mobile devices are not ideal for viewing TV or films shot in certain ways.

Conversely, today’s TVs have multiple settings. Any program or movie typically displays well enough for audiences to catch all the action. Home viewers have no way of knowing ahead of time that they’ll need to adjust their TV settings. It’s entirely possible to light scenes that establish mood while utilizing shadows to demonstrate the same effect that the Game of Thrones cinematographer was trying to accomplish.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Lighting Director Training

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Many people that are fascinated with the nuances of lighting one day dream of becoming a master of the skill and working for TV, film or the Broadway stage. There’s a lot of practical knowledge that goes into the skill set of a lighting director, coupled with artistic vision.

A lighting director is responsible for all the aspects of lighting a stage, whether it’s in Hollywood or a royal wedding. It’s the individual that designs and arranges the lighting to create the mood for any type of production. They’re cognizant of lighting techniques, budgetary requirements, and works with everyone from actors and musicians to costume designers to discern the ideal placement for lights, the colors, and the safety of all concerned.

Those that aspire to be a lighting director will need to meet a variety of educational requirements that include a Bachelor’s degree in theatre production or lighting design. Depending upon what line of work the lighting director chooses, there are additional requirements for different levels of expertise. They’ll also need experience and training in electrical safety and construction.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program will include the design aspect and the technical elements. They can obtain a Master of Fine Arts in lighting design to continue their education. A master’s program will include classroom work and hands-on training that includes lighting technology and history.

Lighting directors must have technical skills with computer programs used within the lighting industry. A variety of universities and college have internship programs that enable budding lighting directors to work under professionals in the field, gain experience, and build their portfolios.

Lighting directors are the architects of the lighting world. The most revered lighting directors in the world are creative visionaries and innovators that work in venues that include broadcast media, live sporting events, and have lit pathways on the red carpet and royal events.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Lighting Quality can Change your Photos and Videos

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When it comes to taking photos and videos, all light is not created equal. Almost everyone has shot a video that was too dark or taken photos that had a yellow tint. The problem isn’t the equipment – it’s the quality of the lighting.

When taking photos indoors, even flash and fill flash camera options won’t be enough to dispel the tones emitted by certain types of illumination sources. Undesirable light will adversely affect the entire mood and effect of the scene you’re trying to capture.

The angle of the light is equally important. Side lighting will throw harsh shadows and only illuminate one side of the subject, but can create some uniquely artistic perspectives. Frontal lighting makes it easy to reproduce colors, but can leave the subject looking faded, washed out or flat. Backlighting originating from behind the subject can make them seem nothing more than a silhouette, but can also produce some dramatic effects.

Taking photos outside in bright sunlight results in images that have sharp contrast, but it also increases the potential for dark shadows. A cloudy day produces softer, diffused light that minimizes shadows and reduces the amount of contrast.

The type of available illumination also affects videos and can create a vastly different effect than what was intended. A beautifully framed shot can easily transition into something that would be more appropriate for a horror movie or psychological thriller. The way lighting is placed can add texture, color and depth to the video and work to de-emphasize specific elements in the shot to guide the viewer where to look.

Light is even more important in photos and video than how the shot is framed. The way lighting is arranged creates different moods and effects within each frame whether it’s a still image or a video. Correct illumination seldom happens by accident. It’s one of the primary reasons that professional videographers and photographers are in such high demand.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Lighting Should be Left to the Pros

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There are some tasks that are better left to professionals and one of those is illumination for theatrical productions, political rallies, trade shows, major sports competitions, and even high-profile weddings. It’s particularly essential when illuminating international events that can present unique challenges.

A professional lighting company has experts experienced in every aspect of illumination, technology and rigging to light every facet of an event to the best advantage while maintaining the highest level of safety for everyone involved. Lighting designers have the artistic eye and advanced technology for optimal placement of essential equipment for overall lighting, spotlighting and special effects.

Illuminating international events has its own set of challenges, some of which are cultural while others are physical. Residents of some countries prefer specific lighting types and brightness levels over others. Equipment in the U.S won’t work in Europe, and vice-versa, without the use of adapters or converters since the two electrical systems aren’t compatible.

Lighting for arenas and events that will be broadcast requires specialized knowledge that only lighting professionals can comprehend. A lighting designer will develop a plan for illumination and a lighting director will utilize his/her technical knowledge to implement that plan.

Professional lighting companies employ a highly skilled team of individuals that take on the practical tasks and solutions of lighting, along with technicians that position lights, securely rig equipment, and coordinate audio and visual components.

To ensure the best illumination options and safety solutions for any event, a professional lighting company is essential. Lighting is much more than simply a way to “light things up” so everyone can see. It’s an art form that requires skill, specialized knowledge, and an understanding of cultural differences wherever they may be working. They use innovative techniques that are cost-effective and environmentally-friendly while maintaining the highest level of safety at all times.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Set Lighting Techniques

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At some point, everyone has viewed a film and talked about certain scenes, how they especially liked a romantic interlude or how sinister the villain looked. While the actors’ portrayal of the characters is extremely important, lighting plays a significant role in the way audiences view the characters and scenes.

The illumination of sets, scenes and even special events is the result of careful planning and a working knowledge of how lights and cameras work in harmony. It’s a task that relies on equal parts of creativity, artistic flair, and technical knowledge. Professionals work with a myriad of techniques to ensure every seen is picture perfect.

A three-point lighting set-up is comprised of key lighting, fill lighting, and backlighting – and fulfills a variety of essential functions. It illuminates subjects from three directions and focuses attention on the actors. The technique is used to control shadowing. It can also be combined with backlighting for a four-point system.

Key lighting will be most prominent and will be focused on the area or individual that is to be emphasized. Fill lighting penetrates the dark corners and shadows, while backlighting is used to the rear of the subject and typically from a higher angle to add depth.

Two types of illumination utilized by filmmakers are soft lighting and hard lighting. This lighting is emotional in nature and contributes to how audiences perceive a scene. Soft lighting makes use of increased key lighting to balance the light ratio, thereby creating a scene that has virtually no shadows at all. Diffused overhead lighting is also soft and is especially effective for close-ups and conversations between actors.

In contrast, hard lighting utilizes bright sunlight or smaller light sources to create and heighten shadows. It’s used to great effect for heightening scary and dramatic scenes, along with volatile, suspicious and dangerous situations in filming.

Motivated lighting is a technique that enables shooting in an enclosed studio while imitating other types of existing lights that might be experienced in everyday life situations. This type of lighting can emulate everything from an 18th-century lamp to sunlight from a window.

Last but not least is natural lighting that’s especially effective when shooting on location. Mother Nature creates some stunning effects, but they can be enhanced with carefully placed lights and illumination techniques that are benchmarks of a professional.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Hiring the Right Lighting Designer

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Lighting is an essential element for videographers at weddings to sporting events for broadcast networks. It’s an art and a highly specialized field that requires extensive knowledge of how light works in different environments to the properties of the film being used. Hiring the right lighting director requires some research.

It may seem like a minor consideration, but choosing a lighting director familiar with LED lighting systems should be a priority. LED lighting is brighter, yet offers a softer illumination that will enhance the appearance of the subjects. Another benefit is that LED lights don’t produce as much heat as old-fashioned methods so people stay more comfortable and LED lights use less power, making them environmentally friendly.

A lighting professional will have the equipment needed to reflect light into dimly lit areas for a uniform appearance that prevents unwanted shadows and dark spots. The right illumination is essential for filming and it also ensures that still photos are perfect memory-makers or appropriate for promotional purposes.

A lighting designer shouldn’t be confused with the services of other electrical professionals. A lighting designer views environments with the eye of an artist and combines that with a variety of technical skills in multiple disciplines. They can provide spotlighting, colored illumination, strobes, lasers, and can time illumination to music and other cues. Lighting designers set moods, establish ambiance, and direct the focus of audiences or attendees.

The value, experience and knowledge the right lighting designer brings to any project will make the difference between a ho-hum event and one that’s an unmitigated success. A lighting designer understands the unique interplay of illumination in different environments and is experienced in lighting and filming techniques for occasions ranging from corporate events and professional films to sporting events and red carpet galas.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Top Jobs Behind the Camera

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Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. considers lighting and angles every day in the production of TV programs, sporting events, award ceremonies, and the corporate world. The lighting professionals are essential to every on-camera production. To assist those contemplating a career in the industry, the Emmy award-winning company has released its list of top jobs behind the camera.

Lighting Director

A lighting director has extensive experience and technical knowledge. They share the director’s vision for each scene and are responsible for creating the lighting that demonstrates what the director is trying to convey. These are the professionals tasked with determining where lighting will be placed, what type of lighting will be utilized, and if the use of colored lights and combinations will add or detract from the actors and specific scenes. It requires the creation of highly complex and complicated plans for execution.

Best Boy

The chief lighting technician, a.k.a., best boy, is responsible for coordinating all the lighting for every shot and scene. They’re responsible for liaising with production teams and provide assistance to gaffers.

Gaffer

The practicality of lighting tasks is the job of the gaffer. They aid in making innovative, creative and technical lighting solutions to make actors look good on camera and set the ambiance of scenes. They oversee and monitor the work of the lighting technicians.

Lighting Technicians

These are the individuals that handle the actual positioning and rigging of equipment. They conduct lighting tests to ensure the desired effect is achieved and manage the extensive array of equipment, filters, bulbs and accessories required. They also run the cable needed for operating all the lights.

Light Board Operator

A significant portion of lighting in today’s productions derives from the efforts of the light board operator. They’re highly skilled technicians that operate and/or program lighting effects to synchronize with visual and audio components.

Grip

The grips work with electricians and lighting technician to set up the rigging that will secure all types of production equipment. A grip helps “shape,” refine and control the light being used for spotlighting, diffusing, or creating shadows within scenes.

Making Magic with Light

There’s a wealth of opportunities behind the camera for anyone that has a passion for illumination and the interplay of light and shadows. Lighting jobs aren’t reserved for TV shows, movies and videos. Weddings, sporting spectaculars, corporate events, and high-profile celebrities and politicians also rely on specialized lighting expertise that can be found behind the camera.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Color LEDs vs. Gel Filters

Posted on by J3551CA

The award-winning firm of Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. has created innovations that have changed the way lighting is installed and used in arenas ranging from TV and movies to sports events and weddings. One of the biggest differences was the use of colored LED lights instead of traditional gel filters that were used for decades.

From the time of Shakespeare, filters have been used to set the tone or establish ambiance in a production. Those early lighting technicians used whatever was at hand, shining light through a glass of red wine or inserting silk material in front of the illumination source.

In modern times, gel filters were typically used. The thin sheets of heat-resistant material were simply placed in front of a lighting fixture to achieve a specific effect or color correct in specific environments. One of the major drawbacks to gel filters is that they have a short life and can represent a significant production cost when they need to be replaced.

Newer types of materials were developed that were less expensive to make, but still had limited life spans and had to be replaced with regularity. Another problem was that the colors varied substantially depending upon the manufacturer.

Frank Gatto is a pioneer in the use of LED lighting across multiple venues. LED lighting offers enormous savings and they use less power making them eco-friendly. The lights require far less maintenance, they provide better color consistency and facilitate better color rendering even in slow motion filming. LED illumination is more flexible and versatile than traditional forms.

LED lighting emits little heat compared to other types of lighting, which makes them much more comfortable for anyone that must work under them for long periods of time. They’re equally applicable for studio lighting, on film sets, and can be used for shooting in outdoor environments.

Less space is required when transporting the lights and they’re just as effective at establishing mood and ambiance. They can be combined efficiently with Fresnel lenses to highlight or scoops to reflect and have the same ability to diffuse light as old-fashioned lighting techniques.

The work done by Frank Gatto has revolutionized the way lighting is used. His techniques are utilized on TV and movie sets, for exclusive sporting events, corporate activities, award ceremonies, political debates and even weddings. LED lighting provides high-definition quality illumination for any event that’s cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

How Lighting Affects Actors

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Lighting is an essential element for any performance whether it’s for a TV show, a blockbuster film, or a major theatre production. The illumination used affects an audience’s perception, but it also affects the actors and their performance. The award-winning company of Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. has an in-depth understanding of that and views illumination as a “character” in its own right.

Perhaps the most obvious effect of lighting is the way it affects actors physically. Traditional lighting methods emit a significant amount of heat. It can be difficult for an actor to give their best performance when they’re overheated and uncomfortable. It takes a toll on their mental, physical and emotional ability to provide accurate portrayals.

Lighting is a major factor in every scene of a production. It provides ambiance and makes any given scene more “real” to the actors. The right lighting enables actors to lose themselves in the scene and give a performance that’s more personal and emotional to the audience.

Illumination techniques have the power to highlight an actor, pull them to the forefront of an audience’s notice, and provide more depth to their character. Lighting also provides clues for actors to say certain lines or change positions. The correct positioning and use of lighting techniques also affects an actor physically to soften features or create a harsh counterpoint. Illumination is a gateway to the imagination.

Unlike acting in the theatre where an actor obtains immediate feedback from the audience, TV and film actors must rely on their own abilities, scenery and lighting for their portrayals. Actors must convince their audience to suspend belief for the duration of the TV show or movie and lighting enables them to accomplish that through the creation of effects that helps them portray any emotion and appear more believable.

Light is the foundation upon which movie magic is made. Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. is an innovator in the use of lighting and techniques. The company’s methods showcase actors to their best advantage, enabling them to tell their character’s story to the best of their ability without the draining heat of old-fashioned lighting strategies.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

The Challenge of Lighting Different Skin Colors

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Just as certain make-up is used for different skin tones and colors, lighting professionals face many of the same challenges when providing illumination for TV, film and theatre performances, along with weddings, special events and corporate engagements. Lighting specialists must “paint” all the actors or subjects with light that shows them to their best advantage.

Lighter skin colors tend to reflect light, while darker colors tend to absorb it. The different colors also create different levels of shading and shadowing and poor lighting choices will make an individual appear an entirely different shade than their actual skin tone. Those disparities become even more pronounced when shooting under certain conditions.

The color of the garments an individual is wearing also affects how a studio or venue will be lighted. An element that many individuals don’t account for is skin texture. Even with make-up, imperfections and flaws are more obvious on darker skin. It’s just one of the variables that Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. works with every day. The award-winning lighting specialists have provided illumination for high-profile celebrities, politicians and CEOs around the world.

The issue becomes even more complex when providing lighting for two or more people of different colors, tones and textures. The light has to flatter and highlight while maintaining the integrity of color. When the use of colored lighting is required, it becomes much more complicated. Some colors can’t be used with certain skin tones or the subject looks washed out, sallow, and unhealthy.

Lighting plays a significant role in the psychology of the way a still image or film is perceived and the same is true of the subject. Colors have an emotional impact on the viewer and lighting can be used to show that someone is healthy, vibrant or down on their luck using different lighting techniques for any skin color.

While color correction methods are available and regularly used in the film industry, it’s not an option when filming live and it adds significantly to post-production costs. When working in those types of situations, appropriate illumination requires professionals like Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.