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FilmSkool — a free film school

No-Budget Film Noir Lighting Tutorial by Tom Antos

Tom Antos recreates classic film noir lighting — hard key, deep shadow, dramatic contrast — using cheap, accessible tools. A satisfying, high-style payoff for a beginner-level budget setup.

Tom Antos · 12 min · Beginner · LGT · Lighting · 2015

What you take away

Hard, unmodified light through a cheap cut-out or blinds is often all it takes to fake a classic noir look.

Watch it

Filed under

Noir and crime to study

Films to study for light

Books on lighting

Kit for this lesson

Aputure F10 Barndoors — Cuts the spill off a Fresnel — the cheapest control there is
Aputure MC Pro — Pocket RGBWW — an eye light that fits in a pocket
Aputure Light Dome Mini III — The Dome for small rooms and small fixtures
Amaran COB 60x S — Small, battery-friendly, a good first fixture
Panasonic LUMIX S5 IIX — The S5 II with raw out and ProRes internal
Sony a7 IV — The all-round full-frame hybrid

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