THE SHINING (1980)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Cinematographer: John Alcott, BSC

Hallway Scene

Bathroom Scene

TECHNICAL SPECS

Camera: Arriflex 35BL
Format: 35mm, 1.85:1
Lenses: Zeiss Super Speed, Cooke, Angenieux Zoom
Film Stock: Kodak 5247 (100 ASA)
Key Innovation: Garrett Brown's Steadicam

ALCOTT'S APPROACH

Philosophy: "Create a sense of reality in an unreal situation"
Signature: Symmetrical compositions with deep focus
Innovation: Pioneering use of Steadicam for long tracking shots
Style: Bright, even lighting with minimal shadows

LIGHTING SETUP

Overlook Hotel: Bright, even lighting with minimal shadows
Hallway Scenes: Overhead fluorescent lighting with practical lamps
Maze Scenes: Diffused daylight with minimal fill
Key Light: Lowel 1,000-watt bounced through umbrellas or ceiling

VISUAL STRATEGY

Symmetrical compositions with deep focus
Pioneering use of Steadicam for long tracking shots
Bright, even lighting with minimal shadows
Wide-angle lenses to create distortion and unease
Slow, deliberate camera movements

RECREATION NOTES

For hallway scenes, use Steadicam with wide-angle lens (18-25mm)
Light hotel interiors evenly with minimal shadows
Use overhead fluorescent lighting with practical lamps for hallways
For maze scenes, use diffused daylight with minimal fill
Employ symmetrical compositions with deep focus
Use slow, deliberate camera movements
For key light, use 1,000-watt bounced through umbrellas or ceiling