glossary

Lighting is an important aspect of the mise en scene. It can be used to focus attention on just one part of the stage or even on a single character. It can be used to enhance the mood or reinforce the character of the set. Or, it can be used to emphasize a certain quality in a character. Lighting from below can make a character look more sinister. Light from above can make a character look innocent or angelic. In film, all of the aforementioned apply, but the addition of determining whether to use ambient (natural) lighting or artificial lighting is also a consideration. Lighting a Renaissance scene with too much artificial light would ruin the historical accuracy of that scene. Using candles and candelabras would make it more authentic.