The original Shrek, produced by Dreamworks, is a completely computer graphic CGI animated film, which means the creativity (including lighting) is limited only by the director’s imagination. (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2001) The lighting throughout this movie is digitally created, and every detail is completely intentional. Because of the flexibility that animation provides, this film makes use of all of the different lighting techniques.
Dreamworks uses an award-winning lighting process they call simply, their Light System. This system was created by company engineers to assist with improvement of their animated productions, specifically to provide more realistic, lifelike lighting. Dreamworks studios produce higher-quality results more quickly now because of this Light System, and in February 2013 they received a very specific technical engineering award based on same, by the Academy Awards. (Dreamworks, n.d.)
Three-point lighting, described as “careful control of shadows by using three main light sources,” by Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011), is used throughout much of this movie, primarily in the daytime, indoor scenes, where light would be more encompassing of the characters were they real.
Shrek and his unintended sidekick, Donkey, are on a quest to save Princess Fiona from a keep guarded by a fiery dragon. As they walk along wooded forest pathways to and fro, the shadows are natural, and provide a very non-CGI and lifelike feel to the movie. It is in these scenes where high-key lighting is used from above, to replicate sunshine.
During the rescue scene as Shrek and
Shrek Official Movie Trailer 1 (2001). (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved May 23, 2014, from http://youtu.be/jYejzdBwvY4
Donkey take on the dragon, the scene is very dark and dramatically spooky. Low-key lighting is used in this scene to enunciate the intensity of the danger and drama intended. (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2001)
There are also scenes where underlighting is used. Shrek, Donkey and Fiona camp along their journey, and at night they build campfires. Underlighting is the perfect solution for making this particular type of scene more realistic, since the light comes from below the actors and casts an upward shadow. (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2001)
The various lighting techniques used in the film added to the realistic feel from start to finish. What appear to be actual characters and other items in the background, due in part to the quality application of the animated shadowing, add much to the reality component of the movie as a whole. The multitude of lighting options in Shrek suited the genre perfectly, due to the ability of the production companies to use CGI to enhance light in all different types of scenes.
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION. (n.d.). DreamWorks Animation. Retrieved May 23, 2014, from http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/insidedwa/tech/lights
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
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