Set up lighting for visual effects

This standard is about your ability to light characters, props and environments for VFX in a way that creates the correct ambience and style for the production.

Getting the right lighting is an iterative process that needs working on through the production process.

This standard is for those involved with lighting and could be used by VFX Artists and VFX Junior Artists.

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1. analyse briefs, scripts, visual references, storyboards, colour keys and technical and production parameters to determine what is needed ensuring practical lighting and virtual lighting are matched appropriately
2. generate ideas on how to use lighting to meet the design brief for each shot and confirm the lighting plot
3. set up lighting to meet the creative requirements, technical parameters and production schedules
4. light characters, props and environments to create the required moods and effects to enhance the narrative
5. create lighting tests to check that lighting meets requirements
6. adjust lighting according to the needs of specific shots and sequences throughout the production to meet production and aesthetic requirements
7. respond to feedback from others and changing requirements and make refinements as needed
8. check and confirm that lighting activity will lead to effective rendering

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1. the design, style and look of the production and how lighting impacts on it the technical parameters, such as aspect ratio, colour space and format of final deliverables
2. image capture equipment
3. theory and techniques and the limitations of real camera gear
4. lighting theory and techniques, real world lighting, physics and vector maths sufficient to carry out the role
5. colour theory and how lighting works in films, painting and photography
6. how to set up creative lighting and match real lighting from plate
7. how to create different moods and effects such as times of day and seasons through lighting and camera angles and how it is used in story and character
8. the importance of light, shade and intensity, the impact these have on colour and how shadows behave and can be used
9. the way materials react to light including how shading and reflections behave and can be used
10. the effects of camera positions, angles, lens types and lighting in relation to characters, props and environments
11. how to exploit the potential of industry-standard software related to lighting
12. the requirements of the rendering package that will be used
13. the entire production process and the impact your work has on others in the pipeline
14. how to work collaboratively with compositors to supply suitable passes and take account of additional elements
15. how to use scripting to streamline tasks

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3

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2027

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Current

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Original

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ScreenSkills

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SKSVFX9

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VFX Technical Director, VFX Artist, VFX Junior Artist, VFX Assistant Technical Director, VFX Producer, VFX Supervisor, VFX Assistant Supervisor

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visual effects; VFX; lighting; production; production requirements; camera; practical lighting; virtual lighting; shade; reflections; rendering;

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