December / 2009

The 2009 CSC
Lighting Workshop

by Text by Ernie Kestler; Photos by Joan Hutton csc

Inserts (top) Derek Taylor; (bottom) Richard Dasrath; Samuel Lebel-Wong

The second CSC lighting workshop this year was held on October 17 and 18 at William F White's Toronto facilities, 1020 Islington Avenue, giving the participants a comprehensive knowledge of the basics of lighting - three-point lighting, light meters, theory, etc. Participants also learned how to create various lighting effects through practical demonstration. Although basic concepts were taught, the CSC Lighting Workshop is also intended for those who feel they have a good knowledge of those basics and who are sufficiently qualified and wish to continue the learning process.

George Willis csc, sasc;

The CSC's education chair, Ernie Kestler, greeted the participants, reviewed some basic technical information and after finding out what each participant wanted to get out of the workshop, explained what made the workshop unique.
It is, in fact, this uniqueness that has made the workshop so successful. Under the careful tutelage of George Willis csc, sasc, one of Canada's top commercial cinematographers, the participants began a non-technical exploration where they learned the fundamentals of the qualities of light. This was accomplished by using basic lighting elements such as bare-bulbs, cardboard boxes, simple diffusion etc. As Richard Dasrath remarked, "The complexities of lighting explained in the simplest fundamentals to achieve an objective."

Simona Analte and Garland Anthony.

His sentiment was shared by the other participants as well. Ridvan Yavuz, a newly arrived cinematographer from Turkey said, "Everyone who wants to become a cinematographer feel[s] and live[s] [the] atmosphere which is [like a] real film set and everyone can try every source of light as a DOP." Ali Kazimi, an accomplished cinematographer, said, "George Willis is an inspired, gifted instructor and immensely generous. It was a thrill to work with very basic, improvised tools, to focus on the fundamentals. When cardboard boxes become light fixtures it is magic."

Armed with their newly acquired understanding of lighting fundamentals, they formed groups that carried out various lighting challenges. The lighting fixtures were placed in such a way as to accomplish the desired mood, based on their understanding of the qualities of light.

Al Kazimi.

When each lighting setup was completed George analyzed it. "Learning from and working with George is simply a must for any film student specializing in cinematography," said Matthew Kennedy.

Special thanks to Gaffer Bob McAdam who assisted everyone with their lighting needs, be they fixtures or questions. The participants were: Simona Analte, Garland Anthony, Richard Dasrath, Ali Kazimi, Matthew Kennedy, Samuel Lebel-Wong, Derek Tokar and Ridvan Yavuz. The workshop was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of: Cinequip, DSA - Design Sets Assembly Limited, Fujifilm Canada Inc., Image Central Broadcast Rentals, Kodak Canada Inc., Lee Filters Canada, Rosco Canada and William F. White.

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