In this scene from Back to the Future the lighting is traditional three point lighting this gives the appearance of a sunny day with natural light shining in the windows of the 1950’s soda shop which the kids are socializing in after a day of school. This style of light allows for attention on the actors and not the props around them (Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P., 2014). This lighting technique suited this film in the way it mimicked real life lighting and was inviting to the audience in being able to relate to the movie charactors.
In contrast to the three point lighting this scene in which Marty (Michael J. Fox) plays Darth Vader.
Backlighting is used as in some horror genre movies. This is used to scare George McFly (Crispin Glover) Marty’s father from 1955 as a teen to ask Lorraine Baines (Lea Thompson) then George’s Peeping tom interest in 1955. As George is a self proclaimed Sci-Fi author he truly believes that a space being has ordered him to ask Lorraine to the Dance at their school where they share their first kiss, thus repairing the space time continuum. If any other type of lighting would have been used the believability of George being scared enough to concur his insecurities of this “nerd” asking a beautiful, popular girl to a dance would have been less than believable.
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References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
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