a. Identify the type of lighting used in the film (traditional three-point, high-key, or low-key) and assess the impact of the lighting used to establish the theme.
The type of lighting in the film “The Lion King” often varied, depending on that particular scene. The movie was mainly done in high key lighting due to the film being animated. To draw attention to the characters by fixating their bright standoffish images. There were a few dark scenes. Certain scenes are low key like when “Mufasa” dies and at night where “Simba” reunites with his father “Mufasa’s” spirit. When Simba and Scar fought, their was a low-key lighting. The background shined on the rest of the kingdom as the two knew this was the moment of truth and “Pride Rock” depended on Simba’s survival. There was a three-point lighting as Simba and Mufasa looked on “Pride Rock” to cover the “Circle of Life.” The use of high-key lighting is mainly used throughout the movie. High-key lighting is a bright light over everything with low contrast between the light and dark parts of the scene limiting the view of any shadow.
b. What are the benefits of the style of lighting used?
The benefits of the lighting are that it makes the movie very easy to see and understand. It gives the majority of the audience “Children” a colorful sight of animation to hold their attention to the film. It makes it entertaining as the scenes shift throw different emotional paths, making you happy as “Simba” enjoys his new found life without worries then sad as “Pride Rock” suffers during that period of time of Simba’s absence. The bright colors made it a fun and memorable movie. Low-key lighting indicated a dark and evil side as Scar portrayed as his character in the movie.
c. How did this technique contribute to the theme?
The lighting brought a dark sense of fear and anxiety in the film as “Mufasa” showed Simba who was boss and the consequences of Simba disobeying him by wondering into the dangerous out skirts of the “Pride Land.” This gave the film a natural effect. It took you through the stages of each scene. Some where the sun was rising giving natural light gave you more of like a hopeful and better day for Simba. Others where the light was high-key, letting you know that trouble was arousing. It felt like you were actually experiencing the movie yourself. Taking your mind through an emotional roller coaster.
d. How was the lighting technique suited to the genre of the film? For example, documentary films tend to rely on natural light as a way of creating an overall tone of authenticity.
The lighting was greatly suited for this film in a relative way. It fit the colorful and happy moments that all children go through. It showed them their own lives as being young with no worries and enjoying life as it comes along. The tone was magical as they looked up upon Simba as his father Mufasa ruler of “Pride Rock,” an idol and how SImba urged to one day grow up and become king like his father. The film gave children hope as the music took over the movie by it’s captivating tones to hold the children attention and have them in a joyous mood to want to dance and sing along.
e. Compare how the scene would play if different choices had been made.
If the scenes were all low-key, they wouldn’t be able to hold the majority audience in which happens to be children. When it comes to children bright colors and music is what keeps them calm and interested. If in different scenes there were not events within the lighting to put the effect of the moment into play then it would possibly confuse a lot of readers. You can’t have exciting things happening and you can barely see what’s going on or place a picture with the scene.
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