What is this project about?
For my university praxis project (equivalent to a dissertation), I decided to explore whether there was racial bias within the film industry, specifically the lighting department.
In coming up with this project, I wanted to find something that I could connect with, but that I could also learn from. I have been told repeatedly that lighting is one of the most important tools of filmmaking and I became increasingly interested in learning more about lighting and the potential that it has when it comes to the quality of one’s work. I thought that there could be an interesting relationship between lighting and visibility on screen, visibility connoting to how people of colour are portrayed on screen. There always has been a lack of representation for minorities on screen and I wondered if there was a difference in quality between the way that caucasian people and minorities are lit and if there is, what is the reason behind this. I wondered whether racist attitudes within society were the sole reason of the exclusion of people of colour from the film industry or if there was some sort of technological boundary that provided a barrier. And was the lack of technology that could help representation not improved because it wasn’t seen as a priority?
Originally, this project was supposed to be an exhibition that would showcase my findings and subsequent creative work based on them, but because of COVID-19, the project had to be moved online. My aim for the original exhibition was to create an interactive and educational space for people to learn more about lighting, with a specific focus on people of colour. I managed to get in contact with a few amazing cinematographers and filmmakers to get some more insight into the technical aspects.
I tried to translate this project online as best as I could given the circumstances and my aim for this project is to inform and educate to build a better and more equal future.
Why an exhibition?
For this project, I decided that an exhibition was the most impactful way to artistically approach this subject. I find that exhibitions are engaging, fun expressions of art and furthermore, a great place to learn. I particularly enjoy going to the Tate galleries because their exhibitions are so varied in terms of what media is used and the structure. I took inspiration from their creativity to create my exhibition.
As my subject matter is about researching different techniques and the history of lighting darker skin tones, I wanted to portray my findings in a way that shows the whole subject, from its history to lighting techniques etc, so that when one emerges out of the exhibition, one feels like they have learnt from it.
The main crux of my subject is to illustrate that in the film industry, lighting has an inherent racial bias and I wanted to showcase how this has affected people and how this has been overcome. I also wanted celebrate those that have paved the way for equality. I did not want to have my findings being expressed in a boring or standard exhibition style as I feel I wanted to spend as much time and energy in making this exhibition unique, as it centres on a marginalised part of the industry.
My aim was for this project to be as engaging as possible, which is why I have structured it in such a way. The whole idea of the dark tunnel structure is so one feels immersed in the exhibition, therefore will pay more attention. As the exhibition is centred on lighting, I thought it was pertinent that it be a big feature in the exhibition so that is why the exhibition is structured like a light instillation. I wanted this space where the main portraits are to be more open so that discussion could be had and there was a sense of reflection.
The interactive elements, such as the recordings and the camera station (finding out your own reflection number) are also to make the exhibition relatable and fun. The portrait wall is a take on traditional colour charts and I wanted to make a point that there shouldn’t just be a one size fits all approach to lighting.
Additionally, the side portraits demonstrate how varied one persons skin tone can be, highlighting the fact that lighting shouldn’t have the reference point from one skin tone.
The overall point of the exhibition is to be an educational space where one can learn about lighting from a different perspective; in creating an interactive, bold and focused environment, hopefully one will leave with a memorable experience.