Final answer:
In mise-en-scene, Key lighting is the primary light source, while Fill lighting reduces shadows and provides detail. These lighting techniques can create mood, suggest time, and become part of the scenery. Lighting decisions greatly impact the emotional experience of the audience in a theatrical production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two types of lighting that can be used in mise-en-scene are Key (primary) lighting and Fill (secondary) lighting. Key lighting is the primary light source that illuminates the actor or subject, setting the overall tone and direction of the scene. Fill lighting, on the other hand, is used to reduce shadows and balance the key lighting, providing more detail and softening the scene. Effective lighting in mise-en-scene goes beyond mere visibility, as it can suggest a time of day, set the mood, or even become an integral part of the scenery or costuming through its intensity, color, direction, and texture.
For example, a single focused light can create the illusion of a jail cell when projected as a rectangle with shadow bars, thus becoming part of the scenery. The use of lighting equipment, whether LED or traditional fixtures, and the decision to mask or reveal these fixtures to the audience, are essential choices made by lighting designers to support the storytelling.
Lighting can also convey atmospheric elements, such as suspense through lower intensity or happiness with higher brightness. Ultimately, the skill of a lighting designer in crafting the perfect lighting scenario can enhance the emotional connection between the audience and the performance.