Blade Runner Scene - Lighting Exercise - Panasonic GH5

Inspired by the masterful cinematography of Jordan Cronenweth in the 1982 film Blade Runner, we sought to recreate some of the effects in the following scene. More details about this shoot can be found here: www.sandpointfi...

[@sclogse1]

The most significant moment in this and the film is how Rachel lights her cigarette. How she attempts to keep the light out of her eyes.

[@JoaoSilva22222]

I just bought the GH5, what a camera...can´t wait to practice it too.

[@aricspence]

Yes, I am still using the GH5 for all my work. Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it.

[@bawintermage8351]

Blade Runner cosplay and photography all at once, is it my birthday???? Thanks guys, well done.

[@aricspence]

We had a lot of fun was trying to approximate, the best we could, how pull certain things off. We failed on the eye light a couple times before finally figuring it out. Overall a fun exercise and we are considering cueing up a couple more pieces like this in the near future. Plus, we are hoping to put a few short films in the can this year... we will see how it goes.

[@bawintermage8351]

@@aricspence Well, I wish you all the best of luck. This is certainly a labour of love and I can already say it will be well received. The Rachael entrance at Tyrell's office has always been on of my favorites in addition to the synth animal market scene and Roy's tears in the rain speech. ( Then there is the interior of Deckard's apartment, but where can you get a unicorn?)

[@mrjonkane]

Nice work! I was totally engaged... began watching to check out the image and lighting but got more caught up in the story... which is exactly what great image and lighting should allow (not to mention great talent, set, story too) 👍😉

[@aricspence]

Thank Johnathan. I always see things that I wish I had done differently, but I am quite happy with the finished result. I appreciate the comment and compliments!

[@1337BR3AK]

the lighting on the close ups is great

[@songjunw8981]

Holy sh@@t, hope there'll be a remake.

[@Fan_Made_Videos]

The sound design is very good too!

[@aricspence]

Thanks, but some of the sound effects were extracted and looped from the original piece. So, I cannot take full credit. *-)

[@antoine6383]

How do you learn about the light pls? this ambiant is sick :)

[@aricspence]

We used mostly one backlight (which should have been brighter) and 2x3 styrofoam bounce on the front/left of the actress. I have included a lighting diagram in the article on our blog about this shoot. More information, including the lighting diagram can be found here: www.sandpointfilmmakers.net/filmmaking/blade-runner-lighting-exercise-panasonic-gh5/

[@johnpadel]

Well done. Hail to the classics.

[@aricspence]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Glad you liked it.

[@johnpadel]

@@aricspence sure, keep it up!

[@stevejackson3396]

Good job! I’d only suggest the opening shot that she not be entirely black in her silhouette. The movie allowed for some illumination enough to see her a bit more.

[@AFPStudios_CH]

Cool footage! 🔥

[@aricspence]

Thanks for commenting. We had a lot of fun with this shoot.

[@bernhardtsen74]

Inspiring! I am buying up cheap but lotsa wattage lights on ebay! I would love to see if I could replicate the new 2049 conference room with the water lights! I really like 3300 kelvin light and not harsh!

[@aricspence]

You might also like the continuation of this piece where we used some water lights... here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmauiIuCndeGf8U

[@Paakkus_miikunainen]

Her eyes were green...

[@aaronjaggan]

Wow!

[@LogicMind99]

This is pretty impressive work....seems like a such a different and technical scene to shoot, I can't even wrap my brain around it. Nice work though.

[@aricspence]

Thanks Tom. We had a lot of fun pulling this one off.

[@drknsss17]

-Too Sharp -Highlights drop off could have been conformed to Arri Profile -Should have used the longest lens possible, not enough compression - "Chocolate" color missing -Needed smoker for atmosphere

[@lorenzomagazzeni5425]

No Sean Young here... Can use make up or whatever but Sean face can't be faked. Possibly the most beautiful face with Ava Gardner. Ciao

[@xanderharris1104]

Nice! Will u b doing more scenes?

[@aricspence]

Perhaps we will do more in the future,. Our group is currently working on a studio space to allow more space to setup and film scenes like this. In the meantime, here is the following scene that to this one that we did in anamorphic instead of spherical. Hope you enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmauiIuCndeGf8U

[@paulanirban8888]

It takes courage to recreate and keep the audiaence engage throughout the shot. Well done man.

[@aricspence]

Thank you.

[@NinoNiemanThe1st]

What was the purpose of copying this original classic scene word-for-word? Was it an undergrad project on replicating a famous scene as close as possible as part of a course?

[@TheFaustianMan]

Congratulations you've made a GH5 look better than all the professional digital cinema cameras in Hollywood!

[@aricspence]

I would not go that far, but thank you. *-)

[@AbigailGonzalezbigui1964]

very good job, my friend. Amazing. Love the way you captured the light from Blade Runner. Keep on doing like this!

[@aricspence]

Thank for commenting Abigail. Glad you liked what we were able to pull off. Cheers!

[@jetflicks84]

Bad-@$$ 👍

[@aricspence]

Thank you.

[@artemus80j.4]

wow the actress actually kind of resemblance to Sean Young.

[@aricspence]

Yes, she really did a great job. The hair was tough to pull off, but she came to set looking amazing and quite like Sean Young. We lucked out finding her.

[@artemus80j.4]

That's awesome man. Great job overall. I am a GH5 user myself. Keep it coming!

[@aricspence]

We are hoping to do a follow up to this scene by shooting the scene just after this one. The scene with Tyrel and Deckard talking about Rachael, but I want to shoot anamorphic. Not sure when it will happen as we have a few other things in cue, but it will get posted to this channel once it is complete. Anyway, thanks again for commenting. Cheers!

[@artemus80j.4]

Yes! Anamorphic is a must! Since I've got my SLR 1.33x anamorphot I just couldn't get enough of it! Although you will have to be very mindful to how you light your scene but the result will be very rewarding and I will also recommend shooting in V log as well.

[@corbanss]

I continually return to this beautiful exercise. Thank you so much for creating exercises like these, it really improves the rewatches of the actual film, really.

[@aricspence]

Thanks Corban. We are planning on returning to this film for future exercises once we have a dedicated place to create sets. A clubhouse space is currently being built to accommodate multiple uses. We are hoping for to have the clubhouse completed by Spring 2023.

[@bertroost1675]

Did they use special cigarettes in the original movie. The smoke they created was just amazingly cool. Or was it all just in the lighting?

[@aricspence]

I think they were standard cigarettes and the smoke was so striking in the original because he had HUGE back light(s) with much higher wattage than what we used. I wish we had used a larger back light for this piece, perhaps in a future exploration.

[@flylorenzo2127]

not bad, pretty good. The male leads acting sucks, the girl is good but she needed to be prettier than the original Rachel. Lastly, you should've used a harder rim light.

[@pezn2077]

Why, what are you doing, wanking?

[@lohengrinoath9906]

Actors speak unnatural and hasty.

[@ericmarathee4926]

Well done. Yes this scene is a masterpiece. So many scenes of this film are masterpieces of their own.

[@DSPMediaTucson]

Really nice work...The cam looks really nice. Did you have a chance to check out the new AF variable?

[@aricspence]

Thanks Rubin! I typically use vintage full manual lenses, so I have not had a chance to checkout the new AF variable. In fact, I own zero Panasonic lenses, but I do occasionally borrow a friends Panasonic lens when we need dual IS. I really never trust AF on anything though.

[@thinkingchairmusic]

Wow. This lighting looks beautiful.

[@aricspence]

Thank you.

[@burtgummer8514]

Excellent

[@danielnajerabetancourt8415]

Nicely done sir

[@luistrevino1612]

Very nicely done. Love the attention to detail and production design. You really nailed the Deckard shots. The only criticism I have is that I would have over exposed Rachel's key side more. In the film its a couple stops over and acts like a nice sliver of light. I do like the tone on the rest of her face, the fill falls off nicely. I believe they used a huge backlight and only used a bead board for the fill. Again loved this, would just have wanted the sliver of white overexposed goodness. That behind said, great job on nailing the red eye in camera. Superb.

[@aricspence]

Hi Luis, thanks for commenting! I totally agree. Yes, we needed about double the wattage on the back light in order to better match the original. A 1k might have done it... I also contemplated using two 650 watt fresnel lights instead of just the one 650 that we used. I wish we had more time to play that day... as it was, we almost did not complete the scene in time as our lead actress had another audition she had to go to. The week before, we completely failed at the eye light and had to regroup and figure it out, the delay also agave us more time for production design. The lighting diagram can be found near the end of this article if you re interested. Thanks again for taking the time to comment: www.sandpointfilmmakers.net/filmmaking/blade-runner-lighting-exercise-panasonic-gh5/

[@JuaTaBus]

Ufff , qué hermoso trabajo!

[@plisskenetic]

Wish u showed all the lighting setups bruh

[@aricspence]

There is a lighting diagram near the bottom of the post at the link referenced in the video description. Here is a direct link to the diagram: www.sandpointfilmmakers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/lighting-diagram-SFN-blade-runner-shoot.jpg

[@karl-marxschweinsteiger1828]

Wooow amazing what lens ??

[@aricspence]

Thank you. Lenses used: 135mm f/2.5 Takumar lens (vintage) 50mm f/1.4 Takumar lens (vintage) Metabones Speedbooster XL 0.64x EF to Micro 4/3

[@romsprod]

Awesome work, congrats. Just one thing : you said you used "Takumar 50mm f/1.4 and and Takumar Super-Multi-Coated 135mm f/2.5" lenses but isn't it M42 ? So you used an adapter ? Thx and bravo again

[@aricspence]

Thank you Roms. Yes, an m42 to EOS adapter was used for both lenses.

[@romsprod]

Aric Spence : M42 to EOS ? You mean M42 to M4/3 no ?

[@aricspence]

No, I used a Metabones SpeedBooster Ultra 0.64 behind the Takumar lenses that takes EF lenses, so I adapted my M42 to EF. I also have a M42 to Micro 4/3, but that is not what was used in this shoot. So, Vintage Lens + M42 to EF adapter + Metabones EF to Micro 4/3. I hope that clarifies it.

[@romsprod]

Absolutely, thx !

[@genxtechguy]

Had to comment ... this was great!

[@aricspence]

Thank you!

[@giuseppechirico2967]

Omg this is a bomb

[@ValJedi]

very impressive!! great job!

[@aricspence]

Thank you.

[@MengL33]

Very Nice lighting!

[@aricspence]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@naturalfacts6317]

The beginning is pure asmr

[@PeterPoulosCreative]

Freaking great quality, would you mind linking me to the two way mirror you used? I cant seem to find a 50/50 two way mirror as described in the article.

[@aricspence]

No problem. I purchased a small "sample" mirror from this website: www.twowaymirrors.com/product-samples/

[@rogoznjan]

Great job!

[@aricspence]

Thank you.

[@gregoriozunigasosa7618]

A Great Work of light and shadows.

[@aricspence]

Thank you. We had a lot of fun with this one.

[@ah-ray]

Did you do the eyes with a beam splitter?

[@aricspence]

Yes, that was the method we used.

[@ah-ray]

Looks so great! I love that technique

[@aricspence]

Yes, the practical effect looks much more organic than trying to do it in post. Plus, it was fun to figure out how Jordan Cronenweth pulled it off in the original... before "digital VFX" was even a thing.

[@ah-ray]

Love it! I wan't to use this someday :-)

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

@@aricspence Im currently trying to recreate this scene in my lighting class in Dallas, Tx. Ive watched the Cooke Optics vid analyzing how they did the eyes practically and Im still stumped. Im really impressed you pulled it off. I will watch your bus article about this. Great job and thanks for posting this/.

[@amiyrlewis153]

Absolutely! Amazing!!....i too have the GH5 but i have leica 15mm f1.7...im working toward getting this quality :-)...thankxz for sharing

[@aricspence]

Thank Amiyr, This was shot in CineD which gave us a lot of room for color correction in post. Settings within CineD in case you are interested... Contrast: 0 Sharpness: -5 Noise Reduction: -5 Saturation: -5 Tint: 0 Cheers!

[@amiyrlewis153]

ok i use similar settings than add custom lumetri lut and filmconvert in adobe premier ...decent results of course i lack in cinematic areas ..perhaps i need stepup to cine lens...any more tips & tricks

[@aricspence]

I used two fairly inexpensive vintage lenses for this shoot. A Takumar 50mm f/1.4 and and Takumar Super-Multi-Coated 135mm f/2.5. There is no need for a cine lens to get decent results. Lighting is key though.

[@voutives]

Looks great!

[@aricspence]

Thanks Anthony!

[@CadenButera]

WONDERFUL

[@aricspence]

Thanks Caden!

[@johnnymossville]

nicely done.

[@aricspence]

Thanks, we had a lot fun working on this piece.

[@aricspence]

Thanks John, it was a fun project. Lots more details about the shoot can be found here if you are interested: www.sandpointfilmmakers.net/filmmaking/blade-runner-lighting-exercise-panasonic-gh5/

[@tjbaysinger8504]

This was impressive! Love everything about it. I checked out the website you linked. Any chance you have or will show any more BTS on how exactly you had your lights setup. I'm curious to learn more about placement and use of them. thanks. Keep up the great work!

[@aricspence]

The lighting setup was pretty basic. I may put together a lighting diagram at some point, but for now, I will try to explain what I did. We used a 650 watt Fresnel as the main light/backlight (side of the face), we then used a 2x3 white styrofoam bounce capturing some of the back light to reflect on the front of her face. I then added a Dedolight 150watt over Rachael other shoulder to get a little more definition and a rear hair light. A Lowel Pro 250 watt light was used to light the white strip (a folded sheet on a rod) behind Rachael. For Deckard, the same setup was used (no lights were moved) and the backlight was flagged to create the shadow line on his face. Negative fill was used on the dark lite side of both actors and on the walls behind them. For the wide shots we moved the flag and struck the negative fill but left the same lighting setup. I hope that helps.

[@tjbaysinger8504]

Okay great. That does help! I saw a pic of the bounce in the BTS images, so I kinda gathered the rest from your description on the site. Was curious if there was anything special done also. Anyway, thanks for the quick reply, I appreciate that. Again, Killer job man. Can't wait to see what else you put out!

[@aricspence]

Thanks again. I have several things that will be coming over to KZbin from Vimeo. There are a few decent older pieces over there. Here is the link: vimeo.com/user9818816

[@aricspence]

FWIW, the eye-light setup is explained in a couple links at the beginning of the expanded article.

[@filmmafia4297]

AWESOME

[@aricspence]

Thank you.

[@claragaez2402]

Great work i love it

[@aricspence]

Thank you Clara. It was a fun project!

[@PendulumPath]

Impressive

[@aricspence]

Thank you!

[@teletranoats7491]

UAU!! THAT WAS AWESOME !! FUCKING LOVED IT !!

[@aricspence]

Thank you.