Film Noir + outdoors = andy puzzled

[lamps galore]

That's how I understood it as well,...

 

as for using fine brown cloth hanging from the pros...not too sure it'll work all that well...if you light it from the front, well, you'll only light the cloth...

 

I'd stick with using colour - try playing with diferent shades (get hold of a swatch book from a local supplier, then order a sheet of what you think will look better), and use lots of side light. Personally I think that works really nicely to create the "film noir" feel...

[Willott]

Situation is:

Director wants to do it outside, however, due to issues stemming from previous years, University staff have refused this, hence production moving inside to a "nightclub" venue, the main room of the Students' Union. Lighting spec is:

 

FOH bar: 12x PARCAN 64 - paired symmetrically (could be changed, but has to be rewired at wall based dimmer, which as a society or student staff are unable to do)

Side stage bars: 12x CANs (mix of 56 and 64), paired symmetrically once more

Back stage bar: 8x Cans - mix again, paired symmetrically again, 2x Trackspots

 

There's currently 8 MHs on a ring in centre of room, 2 of these are supposed to be moving down onto stage over the easter break, so they may be of some form of use as well.

 

It should be a fairly decent venue, although the good old sun manages some brilliant blinding and shadows across the venue... which may prove interesting.

 

Will

[3pens]

Sounds like a challenge.

 

My understanding of Film Noir is films like double indemity. Film Noir actually came about due to limited lighting equipment and shooting night for day sequences to save money. Film Noir to me means lots of 'blinds gobo's' and cold blues as previously mentioned.

 

I have been told that various shades of the colour blue give a chromatic effect. Thus confusing the eye into thinking that it is looking at a black and white image. My favourite colour for this job is L711 and maybe L200 (I also really like Tokyo Blue as a backlight but I can't remember it's number).

 

Alternatively Ridley Scot's 'Bladerunner' is deemed as 'Neo Noir'. If you haven't seen it already it is a feast of colour and many differant types of light sources eg flourescants, Neon and massive beamlights. Go check it out!

 

Good luck with your director, in my opinion theatre is about 'suspended disbelief'. I don't like site specific work as the best thing about theatre is asking its audience to use their imagination. Otherwise they may as well stay at home and watch TV. If your director's answer to 'why are we working outside?' is "Well I thought it would be a nice thing to do on a sumers evening" run, run away.

 

Power and cabling can also be a huge problem. I did an outside production of 'into the woods' and the generator alone was about £2000 for the 2 week run.

 

Good luck

 

(I am sure somone on this forum will refute some the tinest details I have comented on but is just my opinion).