Film Lighting Workshop: Hands-on Lighting
Coming Soon
This course runs regularly but doesn't have a set date yet. Sign up and we'll notify you as soon as enrollment opens.
This course runs regularly but doesn't have a set date yet. Sign up and we'll notify you as soon as enrollment opens.
Lighting transforms a flat, styleless image into one with depth, mood, and emotion. In this workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of how light works and when to choose one approach over another — through doing, not just watching.
Working together as a class, we'll light several scenes in the same location using HMI, tungsten, and LED lights along with a range of light modifiers. You'll also have dedicated time to experiment, and I'll work with you directly to light a scene of your choosing.
With a class size capped at 12, you'll get real personal attention and enough time to develop confidence without feeling rushed. The course is designed to meet you where you are — whether you've never touched a light or have some experience already.
By the end, you'll have hands-on familiarity with lighting instruments, modifiers, interview setups, and adaptable techniques you can apply across a range of situations.
I will show you how I would light several different scenes, ranging from a pleasant conversation to a much more sinister thriller look, as well as a nighttime moody interior scene. I will show you how I would light for the wide shot and then the modifications I would do when going for a closeup.
The most common subject that gets lit in films is, as you would expect, the human face. We will light several different looks and you will see how small changes in light angles or height can have massive impacts on how we perceive a character. I will also cover how to set up lighting for an interview set-up and the different looks that can give a face more depth.
You will learn the tools used when working with a limited budget. You’ll be amazed at what you can get with some simple lights, a shower curtain, some garbage bags, and a cheap paper lantern from Ikea.
Day 1
Sat. Date TBD – 09:00 – 16:00
Day 2
Sun. Date TBD – 09:00 – 16:00
No previous lighting experience is required. Please bring a pair of workman’s gloves to handle hot lights.
Alex DePew has spent 17 years in the film industry as a Cinematographer and Gaffer, working on projects ranging from no-budget shorts, music videos, art projects, to ad campaigns for brands like Volkswagen, Loro Piana, and Adidas. He got his start in New York City, his hometown, and has shot all over the world. After moving to Berlin he found his passion for teaching and has taught hundreds of students over the past 9 years. Alex guides you through lighting craft with clarity and enthusiasm, making complex concepts accessible to all.
Alongside Klaus Salminen and Linda Paganelli, he co-leads the Berlin Film Community, now a registered e.V. and home to a community of roughly 17,000 filmmakers and film-lovers. Got questions about the workshop? Reach out at alex@berlinfilmcommunity.com.
