Why are the streets wet?
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Larry Young
Master Member
Why you talkin' trash, Aquaman? Say hello to your seahorse for me.
ob1al
Sr Member
Welcome to The RPF! Embrace the culture or prepare to meet your doom.
CB2001
Master Member
The only film I can think of that actually gives a reasonable explanation as to why the streets are wet in the movie they're featured in, which is The Warriors (1979), where there is one scene where it rains.
But when it comes to cinematography, yes, wet streets causes light to reflect. When you use surfaces that reflect light and/or images, it adds to the look of the film. I myself took a picture in a parking lot after it had rained. The light I used was the setting sun.
One of the things that most cinematographers actually use are lights with reflective surfaces (this includes wet streets). One example you can see a lot of, especially in recent movies, is where you can see reflections of light in the eyes of the actors. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is one that comes to mind.
But when it comes to cinematography, yes, wet streets causes light to reflect. When you use surfaces that reflect light and/or images, it adds to the look of the film. I myself took a picture in a parking lot after it had rained. The light I used was the setting sun.
One of the things that most cinematographers actually use are lights with reflective surfaces (this includes wet streets). One example you can see a lot of, especially in recent movies, is where you can see reflections of light in the eyes of the actors. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is one that comes to mind.
I thought it was there as a reminder that someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets.
robstyle
Master Member
The original reason for wet streets was simply to keep dust, dirt and debris in check. Were talking dirt roads and such, its been going on since the invention of the moving picture. Now its mostly for dramatic visual and depth.
Im more surprised the discussion of day for night or even better, "its pitch black outside yet this is a lunch scene in a high school" subject wasnt first.
I was there for the Last Boyscout when they filmed the LA Coliseum scenes. They went over by a couple days, if memory serves, due to them flying the helicopter into and around the interior of the stadium with thousands of extras seated in the bleachers, which shut them down. Since they only had random masses to seat per day, lighting help mask this. In fact, when they pull up and Damn scratches the Roll's, thats a real soccer game going on in the stadium and real people walking around that exterior shot.
Im not 100% on this but I recall hearing they were not even permitted to film that day. The entire opening sequence and ending were shot on the same days. Those were real Raiders cheerleaders and the USC marching band. They had Paul Rodriguez and Mark Curry (Hangin with Mr Cooper) doing stand up for the crowd of extras.
One of the worst things about that film, and there were many, was the stuntman that bungeed off the scaffolding right at the moving helicopter blades yet in the film it looks like a stuffed dummy tossed at miniature blades forced perspective style. Not sure if thats a bigger crime than the dialogue though.
Im more surprised the discussion of day for night or even better, "its pitch black outside yet this is a lunch scene in a high school" subject wasnt first.
I was there for the Last Boyscout when they filmed the LA Coliseum scenes. They went over by a couple days, if memory serves, due to them flying the helicopter into and around the interior of the stadium with thousands of extras seated in the bleachers, which shut them down. Since they only had random masses to seat per day, lighting help mask this. In fact, when they pull up and Damn scratches the Roll's, thats a real soccer game going on in the stadium and real people walking around that exterior shot.
Im not 100% on this but I recall hearing they were not even permitted to film that day. The entire opening sequence and ending were shot on the same days. Those were real Raiders cheerleaders and the USC marching band. They had Paul Rodriguez and Mark Curry (Hangin with Mr Cooper) doing stand up for the crowd of extras.
One of the worst things about that film, and there were many, was the stuntman that bungeed off the scaffolding right at the moving helicopter blades yet in the film it looks like a stuffed dummy tossed at miniature blades forced perspective style. Not sure if thats a bigger crime than the dialogue though.
rodneyfaile
Sr Member
because that is how Ridley Scott wants it!
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