Lights analysis

The scenes I have taken for my analysis based on lights are from the movie Pulp Fiction. It's when Vincent and Mia get together for dinner at a restaurant.

The scene starts when Vincent takes Mia out for dinner at a restaurant. When the car stops we can witness that lights used are just key lights from the left side of the characters while they were seated in the car. The lights are fluorescent as to show the night time. The light is just enough to highlight the faces of the characters. There has been no use of a fill light or a background light as to develop the mood of night time.

The scene further unfolds into the restaurant and the lights used indoors are low key as to compliment the theme of the restaurant. Moreover, while Vincent goes through the restaurant we can see that he turns out at points where the tungsten bulbs are just above his head, this could be as to capture his expressions in the film.

When they both are seated, there is tungsten key light placed on the faces of both the characters. When the camera comes on Vincent the key right has been balanced with a fill light, however, Mia’s face is being shown with the help of a key light and the light set above her head as we can see the reflection on her hair.

While the waiter takes order from them, the light on the waiter is different from that falling on both the characters. The light on the waiter is florescent key light, with no fill light. Whereas, Mia and Vincent are highlighted with reddish tungsten light.

Moreover, when the camera takes a side mid close up shot of Mia and Vincent, the light on Mia’s face tones down a bit. Her face is made more prominent due the low key light falling on her face from the other side which compliments her expressions of observing Vincent while he’s having his drink.