RANDOM LIGHTING AND VISUAL NARRATIVE IN NOLLYWOOD FILMS

Lighting is a key element for creating images in video film productions. Illuminations from lighting help to record images on film. In modern narrative films, lighting plays ornamental role of shaping images. The problem of this study is the persistent use of random lighting as a means of image making in Nollywood films. The study aims at awakening consciousness about viable lighting system, which is apposite with narrative films. The objectives of the study include examining the effect of random lighting approach in the development of visual narrative productions in Nollywood films. Data for the study was collected using key-interviews of selected Nollywood Videographers. The study also made use of data from pre-recorded lighting productions of the Ugezu’sThe Strikers and the Nonso Okonkwo’s ABACHA(The Reign of Terror). This was supplemented by the data from direct observations. Findings of the study reveal that most lighting in Nollywood films are designed and implemented by videographers. This has been the bane of random lighting recipe in Nollywood films. Further discoveries indicate that random lighting produces skewed images, which lacks requisite details for visual storytelling in films. The study thus argues that for Nollywood film industry to attain sustainable development in visual narrative forms, it must adopt workable lighting system that is compatible with narrative film format. The study then concludes and makes recommendations on the way forward.