How to Film a Sports Commercial

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Shooting montages is a very common challenge in cinematography. Montages can be a great way to convey information or show the passage of time. One of the most common types of montages is a workout montage. These can be found in most fitness commercials and sports movies. Knowing how to approach a fitness montage can help save a lot of time on set. Today, director of photography Oliver Lukacs walks us through how to shoot fitness montage that you might see in a training sequence or in an athletic commercial.
In this video, Oliver shows us the steps he takes when shooting a fitness montage. First, he establishes the space and the action by using a wide angle shot. This allows us to see the character, what they’re doing, and get an idea of the space that they’re in. Next, he pushes in for a close up of the action. This creates a more high energy shot and provides a good angle to cut with. Then, he includes a close up of another action. This helps with showing passage of time, or another part of the location. Lastly, he pushes in even more for an extreme close up of the characters muscles, to bring more intensity into the scene.
The main techniques we will be discussing today are hard back light mixed with soft key light, having your final look in mind, and using depth cues. Hard back light mixed with soft key light is a lighting technique where you light one side of the talent’s face with two different lights. The soft key light provides a pleasing look to the face, while the hard back light creates more shape. Having your final look in mind means that your lighting is determined by any color adjustments you’re going to make on the shots in post. In this example, Oliver had the saturation on his monitor turned down to give an idea of the final look. Using depth cues refers to accents of light in the background of a shot. These provide a greater sense of depth to a shot and create more visual interest.
Ultimately, the way you shoot a scene can tell the audience a lot about your character. Every character is different, so every scene should be different. Shooting sports or fitness scenes can be very exciting, with a lot of high energy shots and quick moments, but being unique with your cinematography can add a lot to the overall project. Even when the subject is athletic apparel, story is the most important thing.
Connect with Oliver: / oliver_lukacs
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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 is a movie that would have worked better in black and white? Comment below for a chance to win an SKB travel case. Note: Winners will be notified via the email address listed on their channel

[@BadKarma714]

I think A movie that would of been good in Black and White would be the Nolen Batman movies or INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

[@BadKarma714]

I hope I win a case

[@de.n30]

I think "Melancholia" (Lars von Trier) would be even better in black and white! That movie is so amazing and captivating, and I think the lack of color would contribute even more on how we fell kinda empty and powerless as the plot progresses.

[@dafidi2787]

Shawshank Redemption.

[@coucamaya]

I think No Country For Old Men is amazing in black and white. Even if i don't win, watch it like that at least once

[@dafidi2787]

I always enjoy your simplicity Aputure. I've been learning a lot. Thanks Vee.

[@wreckmedia2721]

Arrival would be great, especially the scenes inside the ship with the metapods and most things shot by Bradford Young actually.

[@Q2Japan]

Really cool video as always. Thanks!

[@tonygarcia1986]

OMG, The Blues Bros from John Landis! Perfect for B&W imagery. Think of the big car chase, the music scenes in the grungy bars and that awesome scene with the nun!!!

[@sebpic]

For me it would be "Road to Perdition". The plot takes place in the 1930s and during the Great Depression - black and white would greatly support the melancholy of the overall theme. Also the epic rain scene would look so good in black and white!

[@aputurelighting]

That's crazy, with all the high contrast imagery in that film I thought it already was black and white. Great pick!

[@sebpic]

Aputure yeah thinking about this movies let’s me imagine it in black and white :)

[@JoshuaFortuna]

The Fighter. It has such a great grit to it. Being in black and white just amplifies it and adds to the time period. Also, I’ve added my email to my channel now so you can finally name me the winner. 😝

[@toobo9272]

"Seven" with all these dark scenes would be great in B&W.

[@djmisatkr3803]

"Darkest Hour" would have been amazing in B&W. 🙏🙏

[@costa_konstantinou_dp]

If 1988s „Colors“ were shot black and white, this would be awesome!

[@campodelverano86]

Gotta agree with @The Duke. Anything shot by Bob Richardson. But if I pick one, I’d say Inglorious Basterds. The first scene with the French farmer and Hanz Landa with the Richardson table bounce light would be perfect.

[@adamb4987]

Blade Runner 2049. Yes the tones plays such a hug role in the story but Deakins does such an amazing job a creating an image which looks just an jaw dropping in B/W.

[@allhalegibson]

Another film I think would look amazing in B&W would be Nightcrawler. The dark gritty noir feel would just pop more in B&W.

[@michaellahood3124]

I'm gonna go with "Blood Diamond", I feel like it would give it such a dramatic look

[@rocheliauwhaselhoef1751]

Oldboy. Color is like the California roll to B&W's Nigiri. It ads a whole new dimension of possibilities, but in that same regard it can also be distracting. I can vividly remember the characters from 12 angry men and casablanca, and I feel that may partially be because of the lack of color. Not having to process as much visual information, allowing me to focus more on the characters. Oldboy is one such movie in which I feel that the colors take away more than they add.

[@de.n30]

I think "Melancholia" (Lars von Trier) would be even better in black and white! That movie is so amazing and captivating, and I think the lack of color would contribute even more on how we fell kinda empty and powerless as the plot progresses.

[@WilAlexander]

Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo B&W no audio - jump in half way and it's fascinating.

[@hariishr]

good one

[@coucamaya]

I think No Country For Old Men is amazing in black and white. Even if i don't win, watch it like that at least once

[@aputurelighting]

Great choice! I'm sure that would be amazing in black and white with all those desert landscape shots

[@coucamaya]

@@aputurelighting thank you. Add Anton Chigurh in b&w and wow.. I think they should re release it like that. 😅

[@kolecava]

Dunkirk without a doubt. War movies are always the one that don't need to rely on color to make the powerful. Sound and framing are much more important.

[@amadeusmphoto]

"The Witch" would be even scarier in B+W. It's already a muted color palette, so stark/contrasty B+W would make it amazing IMO.

[@aputurelighting]

Great point! I think any horror film would be scarier in black and white, that way the shadows feel even more dark and ominous

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Cool!✌️

[@MightyJax]

I love that you all do these, but you use Red cameras and other high end almost every time, anything shot on those cameras will look magical with even little or really bad lighting. I’d love to see these same commercial setups but with FujiFilm XT3 , BM4/6K, LUMIX etc. there is a large group of people with these types of cameras that would love to see this look cinematic and how it looks with more affordable gear. There are a lot of variables and options to creating but I still would like to see it. 🙂

[@aputurelighting]

you know it's funny you say that...

[@MightyJax]

Aputure - is there more to that post or is it just funny? 🤔🙂 Side note: I’d be happy to show some scenarios and create some content if you want to send me a few Aputure Light Storm C300d Mark II LED Light Kit with V-Mount Battery Plates , I have a short film on the 24/25.. I would show the FujiFilm XT3 & Fujinon MKX with it for you. 😉👍🏻

[@asherhuskinson6815]

In all honesty, if something is well lit, the shot will look good regardless of what you shoot on. I still shoot regularly on a Fuji X-T3 and BMPCC6K, but I just started doing some shoots with a RED. There’s really no special sauce to a RED. Sure, full frame RAW is technically better than what most prosumer cameras can pump out. But a poorly lit shot, is a poorly lit shot regardless of the camera. Don’t let the camera hold you back, dude!

[@Porgutousja17]

The new "Joker" movie, with a little bit of a "Sin City" vibe, with the background reading. Could be a fun version of it :D

[@imnickfriend]

I think Black Swan is a solid contender for a B+W revision. The movie doesn’t particularly rely on color for story purposes and it’s already using very low-key lighting, thereby amping up the black and white effect. The stage lights during the protagonist’s performance are keyed with stage lights, so the contrast is insanely high. I think the movie would actually be more dramatic in black and white

[@aputurelighting]

Great pick! Such a classic dramatic film, it would be perfect in black and white

[@grayanderson9800]

Interstellar would’ve been gorgeous in b&w, so many scenes being beautifully composed. The story would be just as powerful and intriguing in b&w due to the amazing composition and lighting

[@aputurelighting]

Great pick! It would be interesting to see a space movie in black and white. I'm not sure if I've seen that before

[@ethankoster4626]

"Fargo" definitely would have been awesome in B&W

[@DUUKE100]

Django Unchaned in BW would be lit!!!

[@natebrav-mccabe3816]

There Will Be Blood looked excellent in color, but seeing those raging fires and some of the magnificent portraits I bet would look great in Black and White

[@aputurelighting]

Great point! Fire in black and white looks so beautiful

[@productionssnowland]

Donnie Darko would have been very interesting in black and white. It would feel even darker than it already is. Also, with the anamorphic lenses, it would look gorgeous. Of course, it is already gorgeous in color.

[@aputurelighting]

Good choice! You're right it would feel a lot darker if it was done without color, the blacks would stand out a lot more.

[@oussamaaityassin5193]

I think if Nocountry for old men was shot in B&W that would be dope becaufe of hard lighting in the movie

[@ImaginationVFXhouse]

John Wick has amazing colors but seeing it in black and white adds a lot to the whole mood and theme.

[@SuperTrenn]

I think All of Chucky movies would've been really cool in black and white

[@allhalegibson]

Off the top of my head, I think Drive would work really well in B&W. B&W could represent the two worlds the main character lives between. I think Drive could easily be converted to silent as well, especially with that opening scene.

[@TICEplay]

But the strong color dramaturgy in drive actually makes the storytelling so genius.

[@aputurelighting]

As TICEplay mentioned it's difficult because color is so important to the storytelling, but I really like your point about the two different worlds of the character. Drive as a silent film would be interesting for sure!

[@theresnoway3262]

You need to show the people who win the case and i like your tips to be a girl you are good explaining everything. God Bless you

[@aputurelighting]

Thanks for the feedback we'll keep that in mind!

[@benjaminvoorhees2468]

"127 Hours" Would have been amazing in B & W!

[@giacomolambardidisanminiat2819]

City of God has the perfect colors for the story that represents, but in my mind a monochrome variant would be appreciated

[@VoltRenzo]

I think labyrinth. The color is already muted, along with very contrasted lighting which would portray nicely in black and white.

[@KaseyFlynn]

The animated movie “UP” would have been beautiful in black and white.. the whole film plays off of the viewers nostalgia and the monochromatic look would be a perfect harken back.. I love that movie 😅

[@GooDween.v]

Hello, i want to ask all of your light flickering? They are not suited for high speed shooting?

[@srmono]

Back to the future! But only the part when they travel in time.

[@sheikhyousuf3994]

I have a doubt when hard cut light came from back side its source light which are coming from back side and only right side enhanced but I see in wide shot left arm is dark but when u are taking close shot of left arm that I see it's hard light on it can u tell me this

[@goandmakedisciples1513]

Oh “Brother where art thou” would have been a great black and white movie.

[@Brandon-qg1ro]

Tbh, if you want a movie which is allready shoot in color to be B&W you take something away from the movie, every color in the best movies mean something and the people making them use so many Hours on set design custumes and lighting to Get the perfect colors, however in recent time i do think that logan is a movie you can watch in B&W and it might add something to the story, which also might be the reason they realesed a B&W version.

[@leondebla1985]

First man would be nice in black and white

[@Memerle0815]

Well, for colorblind People propably all Films would be better in black and white, or not? But if i'd have to pick a movie, i'd couldnt. Because Colors are beautiful !

[@hbl_channel]

Batman Returns (1992) Meow Scene (5/10). I think the colors in the background set mostly do not add drama to the scene and I think it would perfect if they opted to make it black and white instead as it helps also in the transitions to the Batmans somewhat high contrast scenes.

[@felipemvera]

Need to do an episode with my boy @danny gervitz

[@JIMMY_NEMESIS]

Matt Reeve " The Batman " 2021 gonna be amazing in Black&White

[@troyreid1340]

"Fight Club" would be my choice. Very dramatic and quirky scenes and all the spaces used could be exceptional in black and white. Drama galore!

[@user-sh4ym9wv3n]

The Green Mile - great in BW.

[@AlexMinor]

I think Independence Day could've been really cool in black and white.

[@Harshinstinct]

I think drive would be a good movie to be in black and white. It's super girtty and noir like.

[@metronomelife1164]

Hacksaw ridge would have been super if it was shot in black and white

[@muhameddelic1819]

hard to say any movie would be better in b&w but John Wick would look badass with those gradients 😎

[@rastapopulus4107]

Citizien Kane in BW would be great!

[@MichaelDHead]

New one, but Joker. Moving into a black and white world (preferably with a little film grain) would lead to an even more surreal change as the audience would create (via imagination) the garish colors of the Joker's make-up.

[@cyrusgomezalcala]

The movie “He Got Game” would look great in B/W.

[@art.is.lush.9180]

Million Dollar Baby

[@glenpalacol]

IMO, "American Gangster" would have been better in B&W. Even the poster (apart from the red line) for this film shows it! Also, I would love to see Denzel in a black and white movie!

[@nicolascolque5947]

I think The Revenant could look cool in Black and White, specially since most of the colours from the film come from the natural environment, so it would't affect that much to the color psychology of the story, also Alexa plus Master primes look fuego in Black and White.

[@Visethelegend]

I’m no one to determine how a movie would have worked better, but certainly it would a have a different, interesting effect. I would say both Blade Runner movies. In my opinion the Ridley Scott one, has a better cinematography overall and everything has a very harsh light that somehow works better in black and white for a dystopian world. Roger Deakins is a master, no doubt in that, but it would be interesting to see how this desaturated world work with all the complex lighting. For example the first scene where Ryan arrives to this home and it’s all almost white, I would say the movie would be very interesting to see. Nonetheless I have to adress how RD and Denis V thought it was impertinent to show how color changed the movie while you watch it.

[@JianLiangg]

I always think the film Fight Club (1999) would be more visually captivating if it was shot in black and white. Due to the enhanced shadow, the visual will look more dramatic. It suits the gritty mood of the film, which enhances the storytelling.

[@aputurelighting]

Interesting pick! I can definitely see it working well. It's already like a gritty noir and the black and white could bring that out. However I do love the sickly green look of the film

[@PK-is3di]

at 4:15 when he picks dumbell on the right hand and next close is up of left hand.

[@AKGreen]

Drive!

[@Promethe19]

The movie The Dark Knight would have been perfect! The mix of twisted mind/gangster-ish and gritty makes it a perfect candidate

[@aputurelighting]

Oh I would love to see that! Batman in black and white would be so cool

[@jacobstauff7153]

Tempted to go with Rocky 1, really give it that Raging Bull vibe, but I think what would be really impactful would be Saving Private Ryan. Not only is that BW going to bring out all that noise and grittiness, but I think it could work as a tool to show the soldiers black and white morality in their mission while dealing with all the gray space between right and wrong

[@nakulmohur9638]

I can picture LaLaLand in black and white, that would be a wink to the old french b/w musical films

[@aputurelighting]

Interesting! To me color is such a big part of La La Land, but now I'm curious to see it in black and white!

[@gracec.4706]

By far "Gangs of New York" in black and white would be epic.

[@anime2121]

I would pick Blade Runner 2049. Would be very interest how Roger Deakins would light the whole movie in black and white. He would love to shot the movie in black and white if he was giving the choice. Black and white would change how the move feel, the choices of camera angles and lots more. Would be a totally different movie, imo.

[@BadKarma714]

Hey i asked how to light for a Black and White film even though it's a Sports AD I am sure you can do the same thing. Good video I never win anything 🙂

[@aputurelighting]

Thanks for your feedback! We do have an older episode that's more dedicated to shooting black and white. Might help to check that out!

[@oussamaaityassin5193]

Mad max fury road would be great too in B&W

[@aputurelighting]

Agreed!

[@534daro534]

First Blade Runner would look insane in b&w

[@vbsandman3518]

Aliens!

[@visionbyeric1112]

I think Pulp Fiction would be cool in black and white.

[@booktea2196]

watchmen 2009 could be something in black nd white

[@The856crew]

Inglorious bastards would have looked great in black and white

[@DIYCameraGuy]

Chinatown would be a great black and white film.

[@kaskasero]

The Mist (2007) because it has a horrible VFX but if you turned it to B&W it will look amazing :)

[@erne]

I think the movie "Save private Ryan" would have look good in B/W.

[@aputurelighting]

For sure! Black and white would really suit that film well

[@ElishaZakai]

100% the shawshank redemption

[@qiyuantan]

Absolutely should be Fargo, it looks more dark and disturbing when without the colors

[@Photographicelements]

'Brick' was shot as a homage to noir style films; filming it in black & white would have fit the style and the mood of each scene would have benefited.

[@aputurelighting]

Until you said that I thought Brick was in black and white!

[@fantasyteamshorts6112]

What would I do with an Empty case...

[@cinematicwheelproductions1986]

Lincoln 2012

[@bbrunorocha]

If I was to choose, it would probably be watchmen, it already have a dark look to it, with BW it would probably enhance even more and give e classic look to it to complement the story of the movie !

[@anthonyfrechette8164]

I think Watchmen could be insane in B/W !!

[@aputurelighting]

I've always thought the same thing! Especially with the themes of black and white morality in the film. Great pick!

[@vadymdpway]

Blade Runner colors are powerful in this film, but without colors, it would be more dramatic

[@wavbyizz]

I think that "bacurau" should be in black and white

[@jessestern6920]

How about “The Usual Suspects”. That would be great!

[@aputurelighting]

That would be cool! Especially because it's already sort of a noir drama, right? Murder mystery? It sort of counts.

[@videocasetteTV]

What is banana dolly move ?

[@tarsieradagency1360]

Shawshank Redemption would have been great.

[@nicholaslepp1502]

0.. 0 movies would have worked better lol ...did i win? :)

[@c.s.kproductions1284]

The bathhouse fight scene in John Wick 1

[@HeyRubeProductions]

Psycho not only did not need to be remade, colorizing it detracted from the starkness.

[@videosbyks9731]

I think Batman will look good in B/W

[@dewi-fon-evans]

Joker - 2019. I watched it in the cinema last week and I'd love to see that in black & white! Aesthetically it would be beautiful (imagine the dancing scene on the bathroom 😍) but more importantly it would work with the theme of the movie. Dark, gritty and hopeless - a contrasty black and white look would work beautifully (and save us from the influx of Joker cosplayers coming this Halloween 😂 Go and watch the trailer on KZbin and imagine it in black and white, DO IT!

[@aputurelighting]

That one would be really interesting! It's hard to decide though because I did love the color palette in that film

[@dewi-fon-evans]

@@aputurelighting Oh me too! The overall cinematography is beautiful, but I'd love to see a Black and White version on the DVD extras (like they did with Mad Max).

[@eliassolo1703]

The godfather would have been great in B/W as well. The dramatic eye shadows and no colour would really have pushed the drama.

[@seanskube]

Mars Attacks

[@JwfilmNmusicStudio]

Purge