Tag: television production lighting

Going Back in Time

Posted on by J3551CA

Modern lighting for TV sets has come a long way from the Golden Age of Television of the 1950s. Today’s lighting use innovative LED lighting, technologically advanced cameras, and almost everything is operated by highly advanced computer systems.

TVs of the1800s were rudimentary appliances that more closely resembled an overhead projector. The first electric TV wasn’t invented until 1927 and even as late as 1947, few households could afford one. The first TV station was W3XK and it aired its first broadcast on July 2, 1928, but it wouldn’t be until 1938 when TVs were produced for home use.

The lighting during early broadcasts was bulky and cumbersome to set up, extremely hot to work under, and resulted in images that looked dull, flat and grainy. Part of that appearance was due to the flat lighting system that was in use. It created illumination that required less lighting, fewer pieces of equipment, and was designed to save money.

Another element that affected lighting and image quality was the cameras used. The entire industry was breaking new ground and it was expensive to deliver a broadcast. Artificial lighting hadn’t been widely adopted as it had been in the cinema and still photography. Studios relied primarily on natural sunlight for illumination.

Arc lights and mercury vapor lights were the primary types of studio lighting that was used for indoor sets. Incandescent lights were later introduced in conjunction with the other two. The newsreels of the war in the 1940s broke new ground by using photofloods and it was adopted in studios.

The bright illumination of an entire set was still the preferred method. It was Desi Arnaz, husband of Lucille Ball, who helped change illumination methods. Arnaz had vision and understood the lighting techniques used in cinema. He pressured studio executives to bring Oscar-winning cinematographer, Karl Freund, on the set to create the illumination for the hit TV show “I Love Lucy.”

It wasn’t until broadcast studios began emulating the lighting and camera techniques used in cinema that images began to change for TV viewers. Broadcast TV was simply shades of black, white and gray, which further added to the flat, grainy look of early TV images.

The first color TV broadcast was aired by CBS on June 25, 1951. It required different lighting techniques and camera angles that eventually evolved into the LED illumination, advanced cameras, and computer-controlled lighting that results in images that makes viewers feel as if they’re in the studio.

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.

            

Different Avenues for Lighting Design

Posted on by J3551CA

Anywhere an event is taking place, there’s an opportunity for a lighting design expert. Many individuals obtain their education in lighting design with the goal of working on blockbuster movies, only to find themselves following completely different avenues that are equally fulfilling and allows them to use their creative talents in unique ways.

One of the most obvious venues for lighting design is TV, movies and the theatre. Actors to newscasters always look bright and brilliant on the screen. That flawless appearance is partly makeup artists and the rest is due to the skills of lighting design professionals.

Illumination specialists understand the unique placement of lights to highlight subjects and the type of lighting required to eliminate harsh shadows. They also provide professional lighting design for commercials, infomercials, documentaries and music videos.

Concerts and sporting events offer a multitude of opportunities for lighting designers and they can find themselves working in locations around the world. Sports and concerts each have their own particular range of challenges. Concerts and some sports take place during nighttime hours and people that can illuminate those events properly are in high demand.

The corporate, political and religious arenas often overlap and lighting designers are needed for them all. Designers provide illumination for events that include political debates and state events, along with televised religious services, large corporate gatherings, webinars, seminars and conventions.

As brides demand more elaborate weddings, there’s an increasing demand for lighting designers that can create a cinema-like experience. Couples are even requesting that the experience of having their wedding photos taken be filmed for posterity.

Amusement parks, museums, planetariums and other entertainments are an often overlooked opportunity for lighting designers. Illumination is a key ingredient for setting mood and ambiance, whether it’s lighting for simulators, specialty rides or highlighting unique exhibits.

There’s a myriad of avenues for professionals skilled in lighting design, many of which often go overlooked when individuals first begin their careers. Those that revel in the interplay of light and shadow can paint their own story anywhere in the world.

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.

            

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.

            

The Challenge of Lighting Different Skin Colors

Posted on by J3551CA

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.

            

Use Light To Create The Perfect Ambiance

Posted on by J3551CA

Whether you are at home, in the office or out on the tiles, the right lighting adds ambiance to any atmosphere.  A nightclub would be boring without pulsing strobe lights, and your bedroom would feel cold and empty without soft lighting on your nightstand.

The right lighting can enhance the look and feel of any space.  In this blog, we look at how to make every room perfect using lighting tips and tricks from us, the experts in event lighting.   Light up your home with a complete makeover or invest in a few extra lamps to add interest.

Living Areas

Spaces that are multipurpose, like lounge rooms or reception areas, often serve different purposes throughout the day.  A bright, spacious lounge works well during the daylight hours but can be transformed with soft, ambient lighting come nightfall.

A successful lighting design combines a number of light sources at different levels, that can be used at different times of the day or night.  A chandelier makes a stunning focal point and can be used when you need a high level of illuminations, whereas side lamps add a subtle and cozy feel for long dark evenings.

Kitchens

Most kitchens benefit from a higher level of lighting when they are in use.  Low energy spotlights are perfect for modern kitchens, and additional under counter lighting or an illuminated extractor hood help you to see when you are cooking.  If you want to add a “wow” factor to your kitchen, invest in a feature light to complement your low-level lighting.  A chandelier, a drum shade or a contemporary pendant can become an amazing centerpiece for the heart of your home.

Bedrooms

Soft lighting creates a relaxing and serene ambiance, helping to ease you into a great nights sleep.  That said, there may be times when you want your bedroom well lit to assist so you can see everything in better detail.  Wardrobe lighting, dresser lighting and a selection of side lamps allow you to adjust the level of lighting you need at any time. If you read in bed, your reading lamp should be powerful enough to enable you to read comfortably without having to squint. Soft lighting is perfect for bedtime, but no light is better for sleeping.  Whatever kind of bedroom lighting you choose, be sure to switch them all off when your head finally hits the pillow.

Office Spaces

If you work in a big office, you may not be able to avoid the cold, hard fluorescent bulbs overhead.  But if you have a choice or work from home, try and create a lighting environment that is not harsh, but also not too dim.  Computers emit their own distinctive light, and in order for you to be able to work without straining your eyes, you need to combat the glow. Natural daylight is the very best lighting for an office environment, but if you have small windows or need to work at night, find a lamp or bulb that gives off a natural level of light.

Bathrooms

You may think that you don’t have a lot of choices when it comes to bathroom lighting.  Sure enough, you do need to make sure that the lights you fit can withstand steam, damp and heat,  but you can still completely change the feel of a bathroom with clever lighting.  Candles around the tub is a relaxing and romantic gesture, but not always practical.

Wall mounted sconces, vanity lighting and shower lighting can all add interest to your bathroom, and using frosted or white bulbs can help to reduce glare. Incandescent lighting is always best in the bathroom, as it gives a soft, warm daylight glow.

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.