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FilmSkool — a free film school

The Lighting Techniques That Make Films Look Expensive

Jon Kent analyzes the lighting decisions that separate low-budget footage from studio productions, covering contrast ratios, colour separation and controlled negative fill. He references specific film examples throughout.

Jon Kent · 20 min · Intermediate · LGT · Lighting · 2025

What you take away

Increase contrast between key and fill before adding more lights to a scene.

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