something I always notice about X-Files when compared to modern film is how much better they are at shooting scenes in the dark. We as the viewer know it's dark because the shadows are so strong but they've set up the lighting so we can still see everything important. Why dont we DO THAT ANYMORE - ThreadSky

picardsteacup.bsky.social • 58 days ago

something I always notice about X-Files when compared to modern film is how much better they are at shooting scenes in the dark. We as the viewer know it's dark because the shadows are so strong but they've set up the lighting so we can still see everything important. Why dont we DO THAT ANYMORE

Reposted from The X-Files 720p Cinema

"Pilot" (1993.09.10)
S01|E01|1X79

Director: Robert Mandel
Writer: Chris Carter
Director of Photography: Thomas Del Ruth
Art Director: Sheila Haley
Production Designer: Michael Nemirsky
#XFiles #TheXFiles

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xfiles720pcinema.bsky.social•58 days ago

I think about this all day long 😭

oldliberalfart.bsky.social•58 days ago

You poor man! Please feel free to cry anytime.

genderqueeries.ca•58 days ago

Cost. The "night" scenes had a surprising amount of really expensive lights which were necessary for the relatively slow film back then.

Today, just bump ISO and call it in compared to the elaborate setups of back then.

Then call X-Files "overlit"

stephens.website•58 days ago

I imagine it's because the directors who know how to do that are unpopular for other reasons. Zack Snyder is great at lighting his movies, but a lot people "hate" his movies, so literally everything about them, even their strengths, become undesirable elements. "No, no more darkness in movies!"

riwallis.bsky.social•58 days ago

Supernatural did this extremely well, too.

But I think they adopted a lot of their crew and production team from X-Files, so that would explain it.

They even called appleboxes & runways (for vertically challenged cast) "Gillyboards" in honour of Ms. Anderson.

Both filmed in Vancouver.

vickiehinkley.bsky.social•58 days ago

I HATE that - dark scenes too fucking dark to see anything. On the flip side, I find it funny/fun watching Perry Mason "night" scenes obviously filmed during the day. With maybe a "gel" over the lens - so amusing. I'm constantly trying to remember - is this supposed to be a night scene?

randomblackrain.bsky.social•58 days ago

https://youtu.be/EwTUM9cFeSo?si=bKy3vMStW0LXVlEi

dycinlou.bsky.social•58 days ago

Thanks for sharing - that was interesting!

randomblackrain.bsky.social•58 days ago

A friend is a 1st AD in Hollywood and gave me his opinion. No one knows how to light a set now because of technology. His summation was cinematography is more of a committee situation than one of an auteur, and we know what committees do to decision-making.

jort-hk.bsky.social•58 days ago

Best I can do is make everything blue.

sabrina7smitty.bsky.social•58 days ago

I’ve seen many shows where they ‘try’ to get the lighting similar to X-Files….and it’s like they’re trying too hard. Delicate balance! My favourite of all time #xfiles

imagearts.bsky.social•58 days ago

Comments like yours make me want to re-watch, look and think.
Thanks!🙏

knollie.bsky.social•58 days ago

High contrast ratios of modern televisions

rlaux.bsky.social•58 days ago

I read somewhere a long time ago that they worked around the dark scenes by having David and Gillian illuminate each other with their flashlights. Couldn’t find the source but interesting nonetheless if true.

msjaggers.bsky.social•58 days ago

I've noticed that too. Maybe AI can figure out how to fix that.

alczarnecki.bsky.social•58 days ago

This is called "shooting day for night," and here's how it works.
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-shoot-day-for-night/

alczarnecki.bsky.social•57 days ago

Our daughter was a film major until she realized the conflict with having children - crazy hours, extensive travel, feast or famine.

oldbutliving.bsky.social•58 days ago

I’ll bet it’s due to Current flat screens not having the same contrast depth that tube/crts had…

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