A scrim is a device used in the film and television industries, as well as by photographers, to modify properties of light. There are variations on types of scrim, depending upon its use, whether with natural light, or with man-made light sources. However, their basic use is the same – to reduce intensity and/or harshness of light.
Film and TV productions typically use constant lighting in the studio and on location. Some types of bulbs cannot be electrically dimmed because of their design, and incandescent bulbs will progressively change in colour temperature, becoming more orange, as they are dimmed.
Scrims in this context are considered to be a “colour safe” alternative to electrically dimming lights, and are a fine wire mesh available in different strengths, placed directly in front of the light.
Half and graduated scrimsedit
A half scrim, as implied by its name, only has the mesh halfway across, which will allow the full intensity of light to fall on part of a scene. A graduated scrim varies the intensity of light from across it.
Outdoors and photographyedit
Overhead scrim on a natural-light film set, 1915
A scrim can also be a translucent gauze type material that may be fastened onto a frame, and used outdoors to reduce the intensity of, and soften harsh light on subjects/people being filmed or photographed. They are available in a multitude of shapes and sizes, either small enough to be held in one hand by a photographer or assistant, up to almost tent like contraptions.
In this context, a scrim can be used when harsh midday sun would otherwise cause people to squint, or “blown out” hotspots on people's skin, such as cheeks, foreheads and shoulders. The scrim is placed close to the subject, diffusing and reducing the intensity of light, which is much more flattering, especially for portraits.
A scrim can be used indoors on a soundstage. For example, a set may be built on a soundstage to include both the interior and exterior of a wall with a window, thereby enabling characters inside to see characters on what appears to be a patio or walkway outside. The portion of the set that appears to be "outside" may have to be brightly lit to simulate sunlight. A scrim is then attached to a frame overhanging the entire "outdoor" portion of the set between the lighting and the actors, in order to diffuse the light so that it appears more natural when it hits the actors' faces.
Theatreedit
Scrims are also used as drapery in theatre and performance art. When lit from the front they appear as a solid piece of fabric. When lit from the rear they become semi transparent, creating a silhouette effect.
Scrims can be semi-transparent or wholly transparent depending on the fabric used and the lighting. They can be painted or not. They only create a 'silhouette effect' when designed to do so.
scrim, lighting, also, scrim, this, article, does, cite, sources, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, scrim, lighting, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, dec. See also Scrim This article does not cite any sources Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Scrim lighting news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message A scrim is a device used in the film and television industries as well as by photographers to modify properties of light There are variations on types of scrim depending upon its use whether with natural light or with man made light sources However their basic use is the same to reduce intensity and or harshness of light Flash through an umbrella scrim Contents 1 On lights 1 1 Half and graduated scrims 2 Outdoors and photography 3 Theatre 4 See alsoOn lights editFilm and TV productions typically use constant lighting in the studio and on location Some types of bulbs cannot be electrically dimmed because of their design and incandescent bulbs will progressively change in colour temperature becoming more orange as they are dimmed Scrims in this context are considered to be a colour safe alternative to electrically dimming lights and are a fine wire mesh available in different strengths placed directly in front of the light Half and graduated scrims edit A half scrim as implied by its name only has the mesh halfway across which will allow the full intensity of light to fall on part of a scene A graduated scrim varies the intensity of light from across it Outdoors and photography edit nbsp Overhead scrim on a natural light film set 1915A scrim can also be a translucent gauze type material that may be fastened onto a frame and used outdoors to reduce the intensity of and soften harsh light on subjects people being filmed or photographed They are available in a multitude of shapes and sizes either small enough to be held in one hand by a photographer or assistant up to almost tent like contraptions In this context a scrim can be used when harsh midday sun would otherwise cause people to squint or blown out hotspots on people s skin such as cheeks foreheads and shoulders The scrim is placed close to the subject diffusing and reducing the intensity of light which is much more flattering especially for portraits A scrim can be used indoors on a soundstage For example a set may be built on a soundstage to include both the interior and exterior of a wall with a window thereby enabling characters inside to see characters on what appears to be a patio or walkway outside The portion of the set that appears to be outside may have to be brightly lit to simulate sunlight A scrim is then attached to a frame overhanging the entire outdoor portion of the set between the lighting and the actors in order to diffuse the light so that it appears more natural when it hits the actors faces Theatre editScrims are also used as drapery in theatre and performance art When lit from the front they appear as a solid piece of fabric When lit from the rear they become semi transparent creating a silhouette effect Scrims can be semi transparent or wholly transparent depending on the fabric used and the lighting They can be painted or not They only create a silhouette effect when designed to do so See also editBest boy Clothespin Dolly grip Film crew Flag Gaffer Gaffer tape Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Scrim lighting amp oldid 1126186932, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
