An Emotional Shading with Lighting Designer Weicaho Zhao of My Secret Agent Husband
The entertainment industry is something of a dichotomy in its role as both a leader and a follower of social commentary. Film, television, and streaming productions serve to both inspire change as an indicator of how commonplace certain aspects are. Take for example the Dramabox series My Secret Agent Husband about a marriage of convenience. The fact that this is a same sex marriage in this comedy/action series contrasts the fact that Ellen Degeneres came out as gay on the ABC series named after her nearly thirty years ago and initiated a change in America that resonated from coast to coast. While aware of the social evolution initiated so long ago, Lighting Designer Weicaho Zhao is more aware of the technological demands of this current production than its place in history. Dramabox is a streaming service of brief episodes that appeals to younger viewers who prefer to receive their entertainment on their phone, on the go, and in small doses. Things change and with that change comes a new generation of professionals to master it. With nearly a billion and a half daily users, Dramabox is a very serious player in the modern entertainment industry and the productions offered on this platform are attracting some of the most skilled professionals in the industry.
Deception at almost every turn provides a vehicle for the comedy and suspense of My Secret Agent Husband. Lucas Walton is a pawn in a proposed marriage of political aspirations; one which he negates by announcing that he is gay and marrying business executive Michael Yang. Yang agrees to the ruse but has his own concealed agenda. In the most hilarious relationship façade since Bosom Buddies (the 1980’s sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari), the new twist is that these circumstances stir unexpected feelings in Walton and Yang. While these two men are not honest with each other, their experiences reveal to them that they may have a great deal to learn about themselves. From their first meeting in a small storage room to their first kiss at the marriage license registration office, the lighting offers numerous nonverbal cues and hints about the inner stirrings of these two characters. Weichao comments, “The plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters have rich internal emotions, which creates great opportunities for lighting design. I really enjoyed the process of working on this project.”
The approach to this new manner of viewing necessitates both the mastering of traditional skills and the sculpting of a new approach. While previously most viewers were in a controlled environment such as a movie theater or a family living room, modern viewers like those drawn to Dramabox are watching in an unrestricted environment; sometimes travelling back and forth from indoors to outdoors. This obviously has a dramatic effect on the viewing experience of productions like My Secret Agent Husband. Weichao explains, “This significantly affects how the content, especially the lighting, is perceived on screen. We need to ensure that, regardless of where the audience is watching, they can clearly see the content on their phones. However, there’s another challenge. Due to the smaller screen size, cinematographers tend to avoid wide shots, opting instead for more medium or close-up shots within the limited timeframe. This reduces the space available for lighting to play a more expressive role. As a result, lighting often requires more nuanced adjustments. With fewer opportunities for wide shots, the lighting must focus on enhancing the actor’s face and performance, making subtle changes to ensure the lighting itself contributes to the storytelling. In this way, we aim to maximize the impact of lighting within the constraints of close-up shots, using it as an additional tool to tell the story visually in the most effective way possible.”
Writer : Calvin Hooney
