Red-Eye effect on camera

[Seban]

Hi,
I will be shooting a project on 16mm pretty soon, And I am looking for some advise in order to achieve the photographic red-eye effect directly on camera.
I know it has been done, but I don't really know how.
The video clip "Criminal" by Fiona Apple is a perfect exemple, even if I learnt it had been done on post. But that' smore or less what we are looking to achieve.
So if you have any comments, ideas, informations, advises....
Tx
Seban

 

[Kim Welch]

I apologize for the delay in responding, and thank you for posting, Seban. Red-eye happens when light comes from almost exactly the same direction as the lens, so it bounces off the back of the eye straight into the camera. To do it in camera, you need light on the lens axis, for example with a ring light around the lens or a beam splitter (a half-silvered mirror at 45 degrees) that puts the light right in line with the lens.

It also works better in a dark setting, when the actor's pupils are wide open. Test it first on 16mm since exposure will be tricky, and keep the light level comfortable for the actor. Our Cinematography forum is a great place to share your tests!