A STUDY ON
HALATION
Halation is a characteristic of celluloid film when a bright light bounces back a few times exposing the film a second time only affecting the red layer (and a bit of the green layer) of the film resulting in a reddish/orange glow. The Halation tint may be different based on white balance adjustments / color grading.
An anti-halation layer usually is a coating on the back of the film base, though it is sometimes incorporated between the light-sensitive emulsion and the base. Its purpose is preventing any light from being reflected back through the emulsion from the rear surface of the base, or from anything behind the film. This prevents a halo-like effect (halation). Even with an anti halation-layer there might be a Halo effect because the layer is not 100% black.
SOME “REAL” HALATION EXAMPLES
OUTDOOR
TOP TO BOTTOM:
Jackie (2016) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Bronson (2008) / Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn / © Vertigo Films
Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) / Directed by Eliza Hittman / © Universal Pictures
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) / Directed by Wes Anderson / © Focus Features
Spencer (2021) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Neon Topic Studios (US) / STXfilms (UK)
TOP TO BOTTOM:
The Wrestler (2008) / Directed by Darren Aronofsky / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Bronson (2008) / Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn / © Vertigo Films
First Man (2018) / Directed by Damien Chazelle / © Universal Pictures
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) / Directed by Wes Anderson / © Focus Features
Spencer (2021) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Neon Topic Studios (US) / STXfilms (UK)
WINDOWS
TOP TO BOTTOM:
Solaris (1972) / Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky / © Mosfilm
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) / Directed by Wes Anderson / © Focus Features
Spencer (2021) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Neon Topic Studios (US) / STXfilms (UK)
No Country for Old Men (2007) / Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen / Paramount Vantage (Int.)
TOP TO BOTTOM:
Solaris (1972) / Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky / © Mosfilm
Wendy and Lucy (2008) / Directed by Kelly Reichardt / © Oscilloscope Pictures
Spencer (2021) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Neon Topic Studios (US) / STXfilms (UK)
No Country for Old Men (2007) / Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen / Paramount Vantage (Int.)
LAMPS
TOP TO BOTTOM:
Jackie (2016) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Jackie (2016) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Black Swan (2010) / Directed by Darren Aronofsky / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Carol (2015) / Directed by Todd Haynes / © The Weinstein Company (United States)
Steve Jobs (2015) / Directed by Danny Boyle / © Universal Pictures
TOP TO BOTTOM:
Jackie (2016) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Wrestler (2008) / Directed by Darren Aronofsky / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Black Swan (2010) / Directed by Darren Aronofsky / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Carol (2015) / Directed by Todd Haynes / © The Weinstein Company (United States)
Steve Jobs (2015) / Directed by Danny Boyle / © Universal Pictures
CANDLES
TOP TO BOTTOM:
The Squid and the Whale (2005) / Directed by Noah Baumbach / © Sony Pictures
Jackie (2016) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Spencer (2021) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Neon Topic Studios (US) / STXfilms (UK)
TOP TO BOTTOM:
The Squid and the Whale (2005) / Directed by Noah Baumbach / © Sony Pictures
Jackie (2016) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Fox Searchlight Pictures
Spencer (2021) / Directed by Pablo Larraín / © Neon Topic Studios (US) / STXfilms (UK)
AT NIGHT
