I feel the artificial movie lights we use on film sets need to mimic the color temperature and quality of light in the reality of the world we create in the place and time of our stories. On MERRIme, I primarily used tungsten fresnels, as much of the settings were motivated by candlelight. An HMI with a CTO gel was used for exterior shots. I always joke with production when they ask me what lights I want to order. I tell them I am shooting available light. They always repeat, “Available light?” thinking, Oh my goodness, this cinematographer is saving us so much money in not ordering lights! Then I reply, “Yes, available lights—all the lights I have available.” This joke is not to be clever, but to highlight and reinforce the concept that to create controlled naturalism requires great technique and lighting. The direction, quality, and color temperature of the lighting has infinite value in transporting images to their fullest emotional realization.
Kaily Smith & Tamera Mowry scene in MERRIme.
Our “big ideas”—utilizing fast Zeiss prime lenses, smaller lights, great locations, steadicam and cranes when required, and efficient scheduling—allowed us to shoot 54 scripted pages in nine days, with no compromising from a technical standpoint. Eight of those nine days were completed in 10 hours, with only one day going into overtime—a 14-hour day. We averaged 30 setups a day, not bad going considering most of the wides were executed with dolly or jib moves, while close-ups where executed on a slider, to keep even traditionally static setups pulsating with energy.
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An 18 year film veteran, Daron Keet's critical eye and passionate sensibilities make him a well-sought-after cinematographer, who moves seamlessly between commercials and features. His many years of on-the-job training enable him to bring technical proficiency, clarity, and innovation to his easygoing, on-set approach. Quick to embrace new technologies, he has extensive experience on 35mm film, Viper film stream, Genesis, and CineAlta HD camera systems. When he’s not working, you can find him playing squash or trying not to lose money in the stock market. Daron lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
