Top 9 Hollywood Lighting Techniques PDF

THE TOP 9 HOLLYWOOD
TECHNIQUES
THE TOP 9 HOLLYWOOD LIGHTING TECHNIQUES
Lighting is crucial.
As a filmmaker there is simply nowhere you can better
spend your time than learning, practicing, and studying
light. No matter what gear you’re shooting on, or what
type of video you’re making, the use of light creates the
gap between the beginner and the elite.
I’ve often said that good lighting makes up more than

half of the cinematic look, and it’s true. When you know
how to light properly and aesthetically, you’ll find that
other elements of cinematography become less
important (though still necessary to gain a complete
understanding of the craft).
These 9 lighting techniques are some of the most

commonly used setups in Hollywood movies and
high-end commercial videos. They’re also the
techniques that helped me to transform my own work
and build a six-figure production agency in a short
amount of time.
I sincerely hope that you will read them, study them,

and practice them in your work.
Eric Thayne
Founder, Cinema Mastery
#1
THREE POINT LIGHTING

Three point lighting is the most basic lighting
technique, and forms the basis for learning the different
roles of light: key, fill, and backlight.
The key light is the main light source lighting your

subject. The fill light is opposite the key light and
controls how much shadow is on the subject. The
backlight (or rim light) creates a rim of light that helps
separate the subject from the background.
You don’t always have to use all three light sources in

every lighting setup. In fact, it’s not very common to
see all three in most high-end commercial work. The
job of the cinematographer is to use what they need to
tell the story correctly, but it’s good to understand
three point lighting so you know what you have
available to you.
Note: The fill light (or bounce) controls the amount of
shadow on the shadow side of your subject’s face, so
different amounts of fill can dramatically change the look of
your image.
DIAGRAM
BACKLIGHT
SUBJECT
KEY LIGHT
BOUNCE
OR
FILL LIGHT
EXAMPLES
FILL
KEY
BACKLIGHT
FIGHT CLUB
KEY
FILL
BACKLIGHT
UNBROKEN
BACKLIGHT
FILL KEY
THE TRUMAN SHOW

#2
REVERSE KEY LIGHTING

Reverse key lighting, also known as “Short lighting” or
“Narrow lighting”, is arguably the most common setup
used on Hollywood sets today.
As the name implies, the technique is achieved by

reversing the key light to the opposite side of the
subject. The key should be lighting the backside of the
subject rather than the front, forcing the shadows
toward the camera. The technique works best with a
subject that is facing slightly off-axis.
The reverse key creates a very flattering look by

pushing the shadows toward the camera, thus adding
shape and 3-dimensionality to the subject. Additionally
the light creates a contrast between the subject and
the background, minimizing the need for a backlight or
rim light.
Note: The more you watch movies and commercial work and
pay attention to this, you will realize how often it is used!

DIAGRAM
KEY LIGHT
SUBJECT
BOUNCE
OR
FILL LIGHT
EXAMPLES
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
GRAVITY
THE PRESTIGE
#3
BACKLIGHT + BOUNCE
Backlight + Bounce is another very commonly used
lighting technique in Hollywood, and can be done with
only one light and a bounce board.
This backlit technique is achieved by using a bright key

light placed behind the subject, so as to create a rim
light around it. Then a bounce is brought in to help
regulate the amount of fill light. Less fill light will create
more of a silhouetted look.
With this technique you can experiment with more or

less fill light and a harsh or soft key light to get different
looks.
Note: If you’re shooting in a small room or close to walls, the
light reflecting off the walls may create enough fill light for
your scene, eliminating the need for a bounce or fill light.

DIAGRAM
KEY LIGHT
SUBJECT
BOUNCE
OR
FILL LIGHT
EXAMPLES
HUNGER
SKYFALL
THE SOCIAL NETWORK

#4
BOOK LIGHT
To achieve cinematic lighting, DPs and gaffers are
always looking for ways to soften the light, which is
much more flattering than a hard, harsh source. While
there are many ways to do this, a book light is popular
as it allows you to get a controlled, soft light, with a
small amount of space.
The book light is created by using placing a bounce

board and a diffusion material touching each other on
one end in a book shape, then pointing your key light
into the bounce, so that it bounces through the
diffusion onto your subject.
The reason this effect is so powerful is because the

light coming off the bounce board is already soft, so
passing it through diffusion softens it even more.
Note: Because the light is being modified twice in this setup,
it requires a lot of light. Use an HMI or multiple Tungsten lights
in order to get enough output.

DIAGRAM
SUBJECT
DIFFUSION
BOUNCE
KEY LIGHT
EXAMPLES
HARSH LIGHT
BOOK LIGHT
#5
MUSIC VIDEO TECHNIQUE

The music video technique is a very stylized look that
works really well for performance-based music video.
There are obviously many ways that you can light a
music video performance, but this is one that has a
really powerful effect with minimal lights.
This technique consists of a soft key light to light your

subject, and two hard back lights to create a lens
flaring effect that adds energy to the image.
Unlike with other types of videos, it’s okay to have your

backlights visible in frame in music videos, so don’t
worry about trying to hide them.
Note: Adding haze to the room can help add interest with
this technique.
DIAGRAM
BACKLIGHT BACKLIGHT
SUBJECT
DIFFUSION
KEY LIGHT
EXAMPLES
#6
BEAUTY LIGHTING
The main goal of beauty lighting is to eliminate most or
all shadows on your subject’s face, which makes it very
different from more cinematic/dramatic lighting styles.
Doing this helps hide blemishes on the face and
accentuates the cheek bones, which is why it is popular
for females in high-key beauty spots and fashion
pieces.
This technique is done by putting a large soft source

directly in front of the talent and above their eyeline,
then filling in the shadows under the chin with a
bounce board.
Note: Instead of using diffusion to soften a harsh light, often a
ring light is used for the naturally soft light it produces.

DIAGRAM
SUBJECT
BOUNCE
DIFFUSION
KEY LIGHT
TOP VIEW
SIDE VIEW
KEY LIGHT
DIFFUSION
SUBJECT
BOUNCE
EXAMPLES
PANTENE | SELENA GOMEZ
NORDSTROM | ASHLEY GRAHAM
HULU | ANNA KENDRICK

#7
WINDOW LIGHT STREAKS

Have you ever seen a video that has those really neat
God-like rays of light shining through a window? This
technique can be a really great way to add some
interest to an otherwise boring interior shot.
This effect is created by placing a bright, hard light

source outside of a window (or another hole or gap
somewhere) so the light passes into the room you’re
shooting in. Then use a small amount of haze in the
room to make the light streaks visible in camera.
This effect works really well as a background element

behind your talent, but try moving the light and the
camera around to get the best effect.
Note: The window or gap that you pass the light through
determines of shape of the light streak, so it’s important to
pass the light through something to get the full effect.

DIAGRAM
HARD LIGHT
WINDOW
LIGHT STREAKS
SUBJECT
EXAMPLES
SKYFALL
LA LA LAND
LOGAN
#8
OVERHEAD LIGHTING
Overhead lighting makes sense in most rooms that
have lights in the ceiling (unless you’re motivating
window light). The key with this technique is to diffuse
your light or use a soft overhead light so it looks
flattering on your subject. A harsh overhead light,
similar to noon day sun, can cause long, hard shadows
on your subject’s face, which you don’t usually want.
This technique can also be done on an overcast day or

by diffusing sunlight. In this situation, adding a black
solid below your subject for negative fill will help create
a nice contrast on their face.
As an alternate to diffusing your lights, china balls and

space lights are very common for this lighting
technique as they already produce a very soft light.
“Skirting” the light (adding a black solid around the
light) will help control it and keep spill off the
background.
Note: Overhead lighting will often be moved to one side or
the other in order to “reverse key” the light, so it doesn’t
always come from directly above.

DIAGRAM
OVERHEAD SOFT LIGHT
SUBJECT
EXAMPLES
THE DARK KNIGHT
THE REVENANT
SICARIO
#9
SOFT sOURCE + NEG FILL

This is a technique that has become popular with
commercial spots over the last few years because it
allows a bright, high-key look that many companies
want, without sacrificing contrast.
This look is created by using a very large diffusion

frame to soften the key light (usually 8x8, 12x12, or
larger). A similarly sized solid is used on the opposite
side of the subject to add negative fill, which adds
more shadow to the subject.
The large, soft side light looks very flattering on the

subject, and the large black solid on the shadow side
creates a nice contrast and shape on the face.
Note: When using large, bright sources in setups like this, it’s
important to know how to control your lights in order to
eliminate spill in parts of the frame where you don’t want it.
DIAGRAM
SUBJECT
KEY LIGHT
BLACK SOLID DIFFUSION

EXAMPLES
Master your
cinematography.
Cinema Mastery gives filmmakers the education

they need to create cinematic commercial films
and attract high paying clients.
cinemamastery.com
© CINEMA MASTERY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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What are the three main lighting techniques discussed?

What are the three main lighting techniques discussed?

What is reverse key lighting and what are its advantages?

What is reverse key lighting and what are its advantages?

THE TOP 9 HOLLYWOOD

I’ve often said that good lighting makes up more than

These 9 lighting techniques are some of the most

I sincerely hope that you will read them, study them,

THREE POINT LIGHTING

The key light is the main light source lighting your

You don’t always have to use all three light sources in

Note: The fill light (or bounce) controls the amount of

shadow on the shadow side of your subject’s face, so

different amounts of fill can dramatically change the look of

THE TRUMAN SHOW

REVERSE KEY LIGHTING

As the name implies, the technique is achieved by

The reverse key creates a very flattering look by

pay attention to this, you will realize how often it is used!

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

This backlit technique is achieved by using a bright key

With this technique you can experiment with more or

Note: If you’re shooting in a small room or close to walls, the

your scene, eliminating the need for a bounce or fill light.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

The book light is created by using placing a bounce

The reason this effect is so powerful is because the

Note: Because the light is being modified twice in this setup,

it requires a lot of light. Use an HMI or multiple Tungsten lights

in order to get enough output.

MUSIC VIDEO TECHNIQUE

This technique consists of a soft key light to light your

Unlike with other types of videos, it’s okay to have your

This technique is done by putting a large soft source

Note: Instead of using diffusion to soften a harsh light, often a

ring light is used for the naturally soft light it produces.

PANTENE | SELENA GOMEZ

NORDSTROM | ASHLEY GRAHAM

HULU | ANNA KENDRICK

WINDOW LIGHT STREAKS

This effect is created by placing a bright, hard light

This effect works really well as a background element

determines of shape of the light streak, so it’s important to

pass the light through something to get the full effect.

This technique can also be done on an overcast day or

As an alternate to diffusing your lights, china balls and

Note: Overhead lighting will often be moved to one side or

the other in order to “reverse key” the light, so it doesn’t

always come from directly above.

OVERHEAD SOFT LIGHT

THE DARK KNIGHT

SOFT sOURCE + NEG FILL

This look is created by using a very large diffusion

The large, soft side light looks very flattering on the

important to know how to control your lights in order to

BLACK SOLID DIFFUSION

Cinema Mastery gives filmmakers the education

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