Filmmaking 101: Lighting Continuity

Stay tuned to the end for a chance to win a prize!
If you’re a filmmaker, you’ve probably heard of continuity. This is something that you have to be aware of when you’re shooting and editing to make sure the props or wardrobe in a scene are consistent. But lighting continuity is equally important. This refers to the way the lighting on someone’s face changes or remains the same throughout a scene. Today on 4 Minute Film School we’re going to light a scene and show you how we think about light continuity as we shoot.
In this video, Valentina from the A-Team will walk you through lighting a three-setup scene with a wide shot and two over the shoulder shots. First she sets up the wide shot using a combination of existing light in the space as well as artificial lighting. As the master shot of the scene, this will influence the look of the other shots. Next she pushes in on one of the actors for an over the shoulder shot. For this shot she is able to adjust the lighting in order to present the actor more cinematically. Lastly, she shoots a reverse angle of the other actor. Because she’s flipping the scene, she has to take special note of the lighting in order to keep it consistent.
The main aspects addressed in this video are existing light, key light, and sweetening. Existing light is any light that was present on your location before you added anything. This could be natural light, but it could also be light coming from a sign or something else that is permanently part of the set. The key light is the main light source lighting the subject in the scene. Because it’s the main light source, you need to make sure that the key light stays consistent throughout the scene. Sweetening refers to adjusting the lighting when you push in for a close-up. This is an important step because you want the actors to look their best when we see their faces close up.
You can shoot a scene a million different ways, but no matter what look you decide on, you need to make sure it doesn’t change throughout the scene. Having inconsistent lighting is any easy way to distract your viewer and pull them out of the experience. With just a few simple principles, you can ensure that all of the shots in your scene will match no matter when and where you shoot them.
Connect with Vee: / valentina.vee
Connect with Matt: / mozaicstudios
Connect with Chetco: / thechetco
Connect with Jucel: / jucelandrin_
0:00 - Introduction
0:34 - Lighting a Master Shot
3:21 - Sweetening The Close-Up
6:28 - Shooting a Reverse Shot
8:19 - Lighting Breakdown
9:25 - Recap
10:00 - Closing
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Summary:
Aputure's KZbin channel provides free high-quality cinematography, lighting, and filmmaking educational content to help you take your film projects to the next level.

[@aputurelighting]

What's the worst continuity mistake that you've ever seen? It doesn't have to be lighting related. Comment below describing it for a chance to win an Aputure M9!

[@neoray10]

The worst continuity mistake I have seen is when actors grow facial hair and slight double chin with time and the schedule is set days apart, and the crew/ director don't notice it while filming.

[@threefoldtv]

Worst in recent history is definitely the Giuliani makeup in his interview. kzbin.info/www/bejne/np_KZWCnjrOEhNE

[@ShaneLovesBirds]

Less continuity and more a Harsh shadow from the camera guy, first episode of Pretty Little Liars.

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

@@threefoldtv Yeah, when he puts up his hand, it doesn't even look like it's from the same person.

[@brickdaddiy]

Would the hair/wig swap for the pickup shots from Fantastic Four count? I feel like that should count.

[@amadeusmphoto]

Valentina's been losing weight! You go girl

[@DanielTuriman]

I like this girl how they explain about the light.

[@SeriousGuy]

I love how the actors freeze while she is talking

[@aputurelighting]

Haha actors only know how to move when there's a camera in their face

[@productionssnowland]

So much information in that 10 minutes. I'll have to watch it again! Thank you for another great video!

[@bro_liv]

That's actually a useful video more than just an ad for Aputure, well done!

[@PavlaVankova]

Loved this video! Finally a practical tutorial about a real shooting scene with a deep explanation. Please more of these videos like this one!

[@theGUEZtube]

Definitely one of the coolest parts of this to me was the ping light going straight into the lens. Would never think to do something like that but it's such a cool effect!

[@aputurelighting]

Yeah that was a really cool trick! It especially helped because we weren't allowed to use haze or fog in that location

[@JoseFArias-lt4uv]

use black pro mist filters to get that look

[@theGUEZtube]

@@JoseFArias-lt4uv yeah but I think this technique provides a different look, with a light you can probably give the whole image almost a subtle washed out colour cast, defitinely a different vibe than a pro-mist

[@mattesteron3059]

Amazing video, guys!!! The use of a lens flare to stylize every shot was genius! This is going into my favorites list!

[@maxkuzma2934]

Loved this in depth breakdown

[@smokermarine]

Looking good Vee! Also best episode yet, thank you!

[@busternineshoes]

I'm a stills photographer but still found this fascinating. Well done young lady.

[@krzemian]

That's because you're a stills photographer. If you were a cinematographer you'd be moved by it.

[@danferraro3598]

You are such an amazing teacher. This channel is incredible.

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@markokovacevic3225]

This was a great tutorial! Thank you

[@MarkHoltze]

What a fantastic tutorial and demonstration Vee. Loaded with good info.

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

They literally built a whole diner! Awesome!

[@EposVox]

Awesome tips!

[@FabioMeloLuiz]

Love it. Nice!

[@JonJOn0]

Pretty tight! Lots of good pro tips and ideas, thanks for the knowledge.

[@mazart612]

This was great!!!

[@ratt57]

Thanks very much for this tutorial! I've never seen a light shining into a camera lens before, the way you used the MX... I'd like to see another video showing the results of placing it like that. It's difficult to see where to actually place it in relation to the camera lens in this video.

[@TJ-TJ]

Great work! More videos like this!! 👍🏽

[@IsmailBoyzone]

Thanks for your information

[@BestBBQShow]

I need more lights! I have an MC and an MX but my ML9 just died after a few months. These walk throughs are awesome!

[@Shiva-zu3el]

Very useful session recommend to watch for all beginers

[@threefoldtv]

Aputure dropping knowledge!

[@stevenkralovec]

Worst continuity mistake I’ve seen, at 8:59 Valentina is not wearing a mask, then is in the close up, then isn’t again in the next shots 😜 Haha jk, I’m sure there’s been worse continuity mistakes in history. I think a hilarious (intentional) continuity error is in Scott Pilgrim vs the World when Scott’s hat magically appears on his head when theres any comments about his hair being shaggy. 😂

[@aputurelighting]

Wow how embarrassing! We'll have to get on Valentina for that!

[@srloaiza]

I love your Acting Valentina 😊 jk, All you guys are doing such an amazing work for real, I really aprecciate it. Much love from Colombia

[@dantodd2196]

Loved this! More of this please, Valentina! Also, that guy in the diner looks like a hot(ter) Weird Al.

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the video. We tried to get Weird Al to be in this video but we decided he wasn't hot enough so we went with this guy

[@Jay_Alan]

You killed it with this video, V! One of the best on lighting I've seen! Also... worst continuity I've seen was in the Netflix independent film "Black and Privileged". There's a video on it on KZbin. People just pop up out of nowhere smh

[@MichaelSavidgeStoryteller]

Okay, I have to ask: HOW DID YOU FIND SUCH A GROOVY LOCATION?!?! This is one of my favorite locations you have featured so far! But in all seriousness, it would be interesting to get a sneak peek into what your crew looks for in a location (besides aesthetics.)

[@aputurelighting]

Haha we found this on Peerspace! And the short answer is that we mainly just look for the aesthetic lol

[@MyJeanf]

Great video and just wanted to say you look amazing .

[@thomaswindfeld728]

That is one good looking setup' great vid V;)

[@charlesbcraig]

Just watched “The Founder”. When Keaton’s character visits McDonalds the first time, he starts at the right window. Next scene he’s at the left.

[@anastasopoulos8618]

The reflection of the lens flare light is actually visible

[@Devdev009]

Not live action, but the lightsaber battle in a Star Wars: Rebels episode Twin Suns. Kenobi and Maul were in darkness and and the light kept constantly shifting an illuminating in places without motivation. Additionally both characters had a strong frontal eyelight, despite the moon not being in a position to achieve that

[@nerrisnassiri]

I'm a simple man, I see Chetco in the thumbnail, I press like.

[@aputurelighting]

Wow it was really that easy? We should have been putting Chetco in every thumbnail

[@wondersnassiri539]

@@aputurelighting I am absolutely 100% all for making Chetco every single thumbnail.

[@taylorrowson3961]

Ok, so there is this Christmas Movie that was on Netflix last year. I can’t remember the name. But it was about a cop and he had a German Shepherd sidekick. Anyway, there was a scene where they drove around through city streets patrolling, and in the cops CU coverage. You can see that the dog in the other seat is a dummy, stuffed animal. I don’t know how they thought it would pass without someone noticing, but they released it that way and we could NOT stop laughing. My grandfather was pretty invested in the movie so he wasn’t so happy about the uproar on Christmas Eve...😂

[@Andresvideo]

You have to remember what movie was that!!!

[@FerTechCH]

Great video! One question, how do you realize how much should be done at source and how much should be done when editing? My fear is to do so much that would affect the source and then could be difficult to fix?

[@aputurelighting]

Hey! I'm not sure I completely understand the question, but the general rule is to do as much as you can on set so you don't have to fix it in editing

[@JackMajor]

Hey Aputure! I wonder how you'd swap up the lights between the talents if you were to shoot dialog? Presumably, you only want to switch the lights twice, but does that mean you'd run through the scripts of each talent's dialog twice, one from each side over the shoulder, or how would you go about it?

[@mariyammukku7611]

It's very helpful nice video thank you so much u

[@GRmassive]

Speaking about continuity mistakes , at the final shots Valentina isn't wearing her mask when she's serving the "customers" but in one scene at 9:05 you can see that see actually wears it and then the mask disappears again xD . Great video though

[@mariyammukku7611]

I want oudoor lighting video setup

[@austinuhlig2179]

on the close up of the guy in the white shirt, i think light #3 needs to get repositioned. the reflections in his glasses give away that the light is coming from a single light (the pinpoints) and not the window motivation that we see in the master / black shirt guys close up. just to nitpick!

[@aputurelighting]

That's a good point! I didn't notice that but you're right, if anything the windows should be what's being reflected in the glasses

[@valentinavee]

That’s ok! It’s one of those little things that people won’t notice while watching, if this was in a movie. It’s only evident in this breakdown format because you literally see us turn the light on. A point source is much less noticeable than a big reflector or diffuser, which is what I see a lot in glasses reflections in movies and shows.

[@perhenriksen1308]

I know it's a famous one but James Bond 'Diamonds are Forever', the car tunnel scenes continuity is too funny to not mention 🤣 The car literally goes through the tunnel on one side and comes out on the opposite side of the car.

[@Pierorocks]

Lighting for wide shots is the hardest, especially on a lower budget shoot when you don't have very powerful lights. I will say new cameras coming out these days with higher sensor sensitivity definitely helps.

[@mrbobo6257]

Omg 😱😱 I got a like in my dm message i sent to Sister Valentina...😱🔥🔥🔥 thanks ma'am .. it means a lot for me.. you are truly a great teacher 😭😭

[@bizzystudio3945]

Not really lighting related, but the worst continuity I can remember as a kid. I remember laughing hysterically after the goat scene in jurassic park. One scene shows a fenced enclosure where the goat was, and when they get flipped over you know the trex pushes the jeep over the barrier, and now there's couple hundred foot vertical drop? Lmao that got me so good when I was a young lad :'D

[@thesurfacelevelgamer]

In the famous Goodfellas Copacabana oner, after Henry calls out the two lovers that he sees "everytime", just before turning left and entering the busy kitchen, you can see a beige fire hose at the end of the hallway. Then, when they exit the kitchen, after passing by like twenty people and turning right and turning left, you again see that same beige fire hose. Maybe there there was too much continuity. (I'm hoping this counts)😅

[@Sahibproduction]

101!

[@smokermarine]

biggest continuity error that has bothered me for years was in jurassic park: the t-rex pushes down the car over a cliff that is several levels high, where a few shots earlier he just walks out of the enclosure on even ground (that cliff! where is it coming from?! 😂). still love the movie!

[@mynameisneb]

Yes!

[@TheWorldofPierre]

Defending Jacob in the restaurant scene in the resort in Mexico. On the wide shot their faces are completely in darkness. For the close up, plenty of light :)

[@aputurelighting]

It is difficult to match wides to close-ups when you can't light them the same way, but you should be able to at least get the exposure close enough lol

[@sanilalkuttimon1755]

😍😍

[@anag1003]

One mistake i remenber is in shutter island when in the interrogation scene the glass appears and disappears from the woman's hand, what strikes me is that it can be seen as the instability of the protagonist's mind rather than an error

[@aputurelighting]

That's an interesting idea! Using continuity errors as a storytelling technique. I saw a lot of that in the movie I'm Thinking of Ending Things.

[@TheStoryofYote]

Not related to lighting continuity, more so edit continuity, but in this scene from the Dark Knight, the Joker’s hand placement at 3:30 changes a few seconds later. Something I noticed long after watching the film for the first time. Such an iconic scene btw. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJLRlml5add8rcU

[@Alldayeveryday87]

i feel like i can see the yellow leds reflection from the mx light that added haze....i literally see the mx light thats pointing directly into the lens

[@aputurelighting]

I personally don't notice it but that is something you have to be careful with especially when you're using filters and there are more glass elements to reflect off of.

[@Alldayeveryday87]

@@aputurelighting if u pause at 9 min and 2 seconds and look around the calf area and feet the yellow leds are there...but none the less great vid ...especially incorporating the neons from any angle

[@husainfoolath4287]

Why didnt you just use a diffusion filter for the soft look

[@nazimsultan8613]

independence day lighting in climax after the battle. it always backlit from both sides by the sun

[@trekso3507]

Mask continuity in this video 😜 Thanks for the great tips

[@peterrivera797]

Surprise nobody is talking about how vee lost weight. Congratulations you look fabulous.

[@peterrivera797]

@Brisdad53 yes I actually would especially if they are in a weight loss journey which I’m sure she is.

[@ivancuetowicq]

I dont understand the recap when there is ND filter pointed to the windwos, DId you ND filtered the windows? there is no segment about that

[@aputurelighting]

Hey! Sorry about the confusion. We had an ND filter in front of the lens for the scene. The arrow pointing to the window just meant that the ND was added in order to bring down the light from the window, but it effected the entire image

[@sriharsha5036]

Seven has continuity problem when Morgan Freeman and Brad pitt were in the apartment discussing the findings from the library.

[@amumukherjee2148]

What is kicker light?

[@aputurelighting]

A kicker light is the same thing as a back light or an edge light, it's meant to highlight the subject and help separate them from the background

[@amumukherjee2148]

@@aputurelighting pls say how an ACTOR take all kind of lights when he is in shooting. Pls write here.

[@Memerle0815]

The continuity mistake at the first closeup .. :D Valentina is wearing a mask while working as a service haha

[@aputurelighting]

Haha good catch! We'll have to pay better attention next time!

[@rhopkins7863]

Biggest Continuity Error: The Mulan cannon scene was a mess OR To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, the last scene when she's running; her hair goes from straight to super curly in a pivotal scene. You know they were livid nobody caught it on set lol xD My friend and I were like OHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[@aputurelighting]

Haha a hair mistake like that is pretty unforgivable

[@rhopkins7863]

​@@aputurelighting You know someone in the dailies room was freaking out lol!!! ***all faces look guilty - looks at empty budget***

[@Sw33ty978]

Wow, she lost a lot of weight. Looks good on her.

[@miltonw57]

Not gonna lie the continuity mistake in the matrix when trinity originally aims at the agents temple but then shoot him square in the forehead has always bothered me haha

[@customatic]

Worst continuity mistakes I have ever seen was Ray J's hat in the show Love & Hip Hop Hollywood! if you don't believe me, just watch - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXawdGivrZiVfpo

[@vickydalvi3407]

That's so rude, you guys didn't invite us for lunch 🤐

[@aputurelighting]

Oh no the invitation must have gotten lost! The rubber french toast was great you really missed out lol

[@DeanCovert]

jacksfilms' video "Your Editing Lacks Continuity" (yes I know, the lack of continuity is the joke)

[@tylerburton5440]

That pesky Starbucks cup from game of thrones has got to be up there

[@aputurelighting]

I know right! How in the world did that happen

[@BoyBlessing]

V is so hot 😩

[@shullfish]

I really loved this. Great content, well-delivered. I hate to quibble, but just because this is about lighting, you still need good audio. The audio is terrible. Next time use a decent mic... I know this can't be Valentina's fault!... then she can show the steps to keep the boom shadow off the subject! The sound took this from pro level to pretty amateur... no offense to the content of the production.

[@Darkanent]

Worst continuity mistake in a film: Mel Gibson in Braveheart running down the hill to attack the British. With each cut the weapon changed in his hand from an ax, to a sword, to his empty hand and back to the ax.

[@PlatSoul]

hard shadow on wide frame and soft on closeup always get me disturbed

[@aputurelighting]

That's a good one! Sometimes you can get away with softening the key light in the close ups, but when you change too much it really can pull the audience out

[@WeShootFilms]

The worst I've seen so far is where you see a guy shot in the head then it leaves and comes back to the guy with no shot to the head lol lol crazy.

[@randysingh9118]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Final scene, Splinter catches Shredder's dagger with two hands...then let's go of Mikey's nunchucks in the next shot (which he wasn't holding in the previous shot)🤦‍♂️ I try to not let this ruin the film for me everytime I watch it.

[@cmc_media]

the worst continuity i have seen its my first try to play with my light on my project video ... its no unbelievable when i changed my lighting direct from wide angle to medium and close up hahahahha

[@Watchparo]

I only watch for Vee.

[@ShaneLovesBirds]

Less continuity and more a Harsh shadow from the camera guy, first episode of Pretty Little Liars.