Lighting Master Class With Emmy Award Winning DP David Mullen, ASC

In today’s cinematographer’s insight, we sat down with M. David Mullen, ASC, an Emmy Award winning cinematographer known for the hit shows: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Westworld, Mad Men, and 42 feature films under his belt. He has been nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards for best cineamtography on his work for Twin Falls Idaho, and Northfork. He is also known for the following films: Akeelah and the Bee, The Astronaut Farmer, Jennifer's Body, and The Love Witch.
A true master of lighting, David shares his insights on his lighting process, as well as some incredibly useful advice for cinematographers. Enjoy!
MUSIC by Artlist ♪ Get Artist 2 Months Free ♪
bit.ly/2OBSWwu
MICROPHONE we use:
Shure MV7 USB Podcast Microphone
amzn.to/3vwKr5J
Blue Yeti Nano Professional Condenser USB Microphone
amzn.to/35wRMYt
This video was EDITED with Adobe Premiere Pro:
bit.ly/3qkvqRX
Stock Footage from ArtGrid 🎬 Get 2 Months Free of Unlimited Cinematic Stock Footage:
bit.ly/3c4zT7f
TIMESTAMPS⏰
00:00 Intro
00:49 Lighting challenges
02:57 Master to coverage process
06:03 Ambient light
08:06 Lighting soft masters
10:20 Lighting of Westworld
16:02 Be very conscious of time
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ⚑
bit.ly/39a2GG9
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]
Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@kevinrasmussen1319]

A few generations of cinematographers have been benefitting from the generosity of David for decades now, who spends an incredible amount of personal time sharing, and expanding knowledge of the craft. Thank you David!

[@AlterCineYT]

Definitely! Very few cinematographers are that active and passionate about helping others. Will relay your thanks to David for ya Kevin!

[@karthijkp24]

David Mullen is an encyclopaedia of cinematography, always there to answer your queries. Huge respect to him.

[@davidp158]

He speaks of being practical and sensitive to the schedule and not prioritizing the cinematography over the director and actors. Solid advice from a seasoned master. That's how you get hired back!

[@chok1169]

Eyyy he the guy who always give feedback in the forum of Roger Deakins!!! He is the man!!!

[@karthijkp24]

Not just on the forum of Roger Deakins, gives tons of tips and feedbacks in cinematography.com. Wherever there is film discussion in s popular forum, David Mullen is pretty much there too. Huge respect to him.

[@GrantSteenholdt]

Yes! I just realized this after reading your comment!

[@j.oakley9588]

@@karthijkp24 oh hell yeah. This dude is EVERYWHERE on the forums. And I really appreciate that. He could be doing other shit, but there he is...always in the mix haha

[@DespacitoFilms]

Yes, he seems like a very sharing persone. Being who he is,it is unbelievable.

[@dna8269]

I didn't even know there was a Deakins forum LOL

[@cllgscreative]

Shot out to Mullen man. He's clearly a master cinematographer but always takes time to share his knowledge. Respect.

[@SamMcGhee]

I’ll be rewatching a few times over to really get the most out of this. He speaks with such a chill confidence.

[@Gambitheart]

Thank you David your selfless nature of sharing your exceptional knowledge helps to keep dreams of so many filmmakers alive.

[@danielhuang2488]

this is one of the most valuable cinematography lessons i've had on youtube, and it's only 20 minutes. Mr. Mullen is the man.

[@AlterCineYT]

Thanks for your feedback Daniel! Glad to hear that :)

[@brucetaylor8511]

David Mullen is an amazing DP. His humble, low-key approach is what I admire most. There is so much to learn from him.

[@j.oakley9588]

I don’t know if there are a lot more like him, but I know I have seen him personally on the cinematography forums-in just about every thread, imparting some degree of knowledge. A pretty accessible and highly knowledgeable fellow. He has helped me out quite a bit…along with the other little people.

[@sam.oates_]

It's so reassuring to know that even at the top end (David's level) , DPs still struggle with things not always being perfect but then again, there's so much beauty and authenticity in that. Truly stunning work and a massive inspiration. Thank your Sir!

[@mattydominic4219]

DPs are sorcerers when they're not magicians. What an... illuminating interview, thanks!!

[@jaredstanger8715]

I have learned so much from David over the years, he is so actively seeking to give feedback and advice , he also has a really cool style of Photography he doesn't talk about much. He genuinely loves light and shaping it and wants to share that enthusiasm with the world, and we are all better for it.

[@edinibranovic9667]

You know he's good at what he does when his video call quality could put some filmmakers to shame.

[@facuuaf]

This is gold material. So many practical and real-life decisions, teaching us common sense, learning to compromise, etc. Loved it

[@oniriscope]

Wow man his job in Mad men and WestWorld was stunning! Great video like always guys.

[@AlterCineYT]

Agreed! Thanks glad you enjoyed this

[@Stayfocused99]

Season 1 of westworld world MASTERPIECE.

[@RoodeMenon]

He is really versatile! I love the old style hard studio lighting for The Love Witch. That is something a Star Trek show needs.

[@auxsom]

Extremely insight. Thank you.

[@JM-hk3ug]

always wondered how they shot the lab in Westworld, this is incredible

[@makeperceive]

This man is a true master. Thank you

[@timkokai4716]

3 Year Film Degree and learnt more in 20 minutes!

[@smepable]

I Love it when you See how pro DPs with all this gear in their hands try to keep it simple and efficient!

[@narrowistheway77]

To this day the most artistic display of lighting in a film I have ever seen was in Doctor Zhivago when the characters in the scene are lit in the most beautiful chiaroscuro effect imaginable

[@insanejughead]

Alright, I'm definitely adding him to my list of DOPs to follow!

[@emilianoo.1596]

Been following Mullen for a long while now, he often gives great advice on his ig account. He's also a great still photographer.

[@AlterCineYT]

Yes he's been very active on cinematography forums as well, teaching us for many years :)

[@airclear]

Shalom Appreciate We are all the same Thanks for sharing your experiences

[@tojothomas7420]

Thank you David🙏

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

His work is some of the best in Hollywood. Compared to some other DPs that are put on pedal stools, this guy blows them away.

[@LuisFernandoImperator]

Dude, your editing is RIGHT ON!

[@AlterCineYT]

Thank you :)

[@kyeongyeobChoo]

Thank you David 👍

[@robertdouble559]

David is so gnerous with his time and knowledge. GREAT video.

[@hwcentertainment]

Great content. I love the way he understands reality and real life working conditions on a film set.

[@BlackWinterProduction]

Incredible. Thank you so much for bringing David Mullen!

[@AlterCineYT]

You're welcome :) glad you enjoyed this

[@rayt_visual]

This was an awesome interview. And loved the tips. Felt great to know that I’ve incorporated many of his practices to my own work as a DP, but also learned more on top of that from this. Love the conscious time section. Something I will keep in mind to help directors who want that 7th-9th take because they want it “perfect”. Thank you production team for doing this interview and sharing it.

[@AlanCMcLaughlin]

just found this channel - amazing really excellent interview, always love hearing David Mullen ASC talk

[@AlterCineYT]

Welcome aboard! Glad you enjoyed this, many more to come :)

[@B-Moye]

so many nuggets in here! This is great!

[@rainzhao2000]

Loved this insightful interview. Hearing about all the technical decisions and challenges on lighting these sets has been really educational and inspiring.

[@AlterCineYT]

Glad to hear that this was helpful!

[@VAZZU]

The channel is getting better and better. Do a episode on Chivo please?

[@AlterCineYT]

Thank you! We've been trying to do Chivo for a while and the challenge was that he won't do interviews with us or anyone for that matter, so it would have to be in a different format. Actually one of our subscribers happened to be a cinematography researcher in Spain who contacted us with a massive resource on Chivo. What we'll try is to feature Chivo in a voiceover style. Basically the same style as our cinematographer's insight, but voicing his words from our own VO. Stay tuned :)

[@VAZZU]

@@AlterCineYT that’s incredible news, thank you. Your channel has quickly become a very important resource especially for all the budding DPs and filmmakers out there.

[@taimosdailos8716]

Thank you! That was great!!!

[@AlterCineYT]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@priyankbhadkamkar]

Rich rich rich content! Top work. Thank you 🙏

[@AlterCineYT]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this :)

[@philpritchard5173]

Fantastic. Thank you.

[@AlterCineYT]

You're welcome :)

[@WordsPictures997]

This was such a beautiful and rich interview. Thank you so much AlterCine for bringing this!

[@AlterCineYT]

Thank you for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed this :)

[@timothywiley6334]

YES

[@gregstg6125]

fantastic

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Very informative :)

[@brucetaylor8511]

For anyone who hasn't seen his street photography, you should check it out. He has a keen eye that simply can't be taught.

[@Solveiga555]

This interview is priceless, thank you AlterCine

[@AlterCineYT]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching :)

[@rocketrollsvlogs7625]

A master giving a peek into what's possible. #LightingGoals

[@cinemavius]

thankyou ! if I mind asking, what's the title of this background music on artlist ?

[@AlterCineYT]

No problem! The song is: Deep Breath by Aleksey Chistilin (From Artlist) Or if you're talking about the background music during the video, let me know what time stamp you were referring to

[@roehaus1]

In a two shot diner scene with a window in the background, bright outside... how would I avoid interior reflections on the glass? Is the use of a polarizing filter used generally?

[@AlterCineYT]

Reflections are caused in a triangular angle, so when you're looking towards the window, your light source shouldn't be 45 degrees to the left or right of camera. Ideally your light source should be coming from the other side to create contrast anyway. If you're talking about a Day Interior scene with the window exposed from sunlight, your light source should be the "sunlight" or whatever light you have outside the window, which you can diffuse from the outside. If you have lights inside, you can light from above camera closer to the window, or have lights on either side, having the lights pointed towards the talent and camera, not the window. This be a much natural looking motivated light source. Any lights pointed towards the window can be just a bounce from above or some subtle fill

[@assylkhanmeldebek5040]

👍👍👍👍

[@GrantSteenholdt]

How were you able to get an interview with him? So awesome!

[@AlterCineYT]

Thanks! Sometimes you just have to ask :)

[@akshaygayakwad4461]

How they make background blue in interior scene... Is they use blue light instead of 5600k white light? Pleases somebody tell me

[@AlterCineYT]

So David told us that there are 3 main light sources in the Westworld laboratory. 1)There are long strips of florescent, greenish light tube that goes along the hallways (4500k-5000k) 2) Maxi Brutes (tungsten) through Grid cloth on the ceilings of the rooms (3200k) 3) LED ceiling ring lights (daylight 5600k) I believe they shot with a Tungsten balanced film, something like Kodak 500T. This will cause the other 2 lights to be shifted towards the bluer side along with the tungsten light looking neutral/semi-warm. David said that balancing these 3 sources was the biggest challenge. In post, the grade was also pulled towards the cooler side

[@akshaygayakwad4461]

@@AlterCineYT all right.. if we set our digital camera white balance on 3200k Put 3200k light on face as key And 5600k in background So background will be blue right Thank you sir 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Highly appreciate your help..

[@AlterCineYT]

@@akshaygayakwad4461 Exactly, and you can easily change color temp of the background if you want it less or more blue by lowering or upping the color temp. Moonlight is often shot this way to be on the bluer side

[@insanejughead]

@@akshaygayakwad4461 Yeah, it's amazing what effects you can achieve from just tweaking the white balance just by a few hundred degrees Kelvin. I've often shot my personal stuff with a wbK of 3800-4600; I'll change it here and there depending on how the sources of illumination is affecting the perceived color of skin tone. It also helps knowing how much I can safely tweak it in post. For 8bit video, very little... 14bit raw, there's WAY more headroom.

[@kimkrohnberle]

He keeps referring to "white tungsten light", is this simply a reference to the tungsten based film stock they were using?