Fill lightįill light shines at the subject from the same side, but at a different angle. It is the brightest light, which defines the overall direction, angle, color and strength of light and shadows in the scene. As the name suggests, we’ll be using three lights: key light, fill light and back light. Let’s quickly describe, what the three-point lighting method is all about. Three-point lighting Three-point lighting But as you’ll see in this example, creative use of the three-point lighting method can be used also as a storytelling device. This setup is used extensively by photographers, filmmakers or CGI artists. One of the most basic, and at the same time, most effective way to light a character or object in a scene, is using a three-point lighting setup. The toys realized in this scene, that the most important thing is that they have each other… is there anything more important? It works so well, because there are additional layers of meaning. It’s not just about creating the symmetry of storytelling (setting it up and paying it off). The incinerator scene is extremely emotional even if you only look at the still frames above. This is what Darla Anderson meant by “setting it up and paying it off”. It’s extremely emotional, because now we have this “family reunion” to contrast the messy break up in the earlier scene. They all hold hands, they bond as a family, close their eyes and face together their doom. This moment intentionally mirrors the earlier scene, where Woody refused to shake Buzz’s hand. Buzz reaches out to Woody and this time, he accepts his hand without hesitation.

So there is this wonderful and extremely emotional moment, when all toys come together as a family. There is no way out, no option, this place is inescapable. They are falling into the incinerator and slowly sliding toward their doom. The toys are trying to climb up the trash, but they very quickly realize, that this is not an option. But heading into inferno of incinerator, that’s the ultimate end. It’s not like getting thrown away or being outgrown by a kid, because that’s not the end of a toy. Later in the movie, there is a scene, where the toys are taken to the dump. It’s a messy break up, because when Buzz extends his hand to Woody, he refuses to shake it. Both sides have to say things and they are not very nice. It gets very emotional, because they have been together for so many years. There is a scene, when Woody is leaving the toys. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially to someone who you’ve known for a long time, some you’ve loved or just deeply cared about. With movies, it’s all about setting it up and paying it off consistently, to create this poetry and symmetry of storytelling.

This blog post was inspired by their commentary and draws heavily from it. I’ve watched recently Toy Story 3, but this time with audio commentary by director Lee Unkrich and producer Darla Anderson.

Toy story 3 incinerator toy story