By the end of this course, you’ll be able to light and render interior environments and characters with cinematic precision. You will create atmospheric effects like fog, use gobos for dramatic texture, add secondary lights for realism, and explore time-of-day lighting setups such as golden hour, midday, and night. You’ll also practice camera angles and rendering techniques for character presentations.
Cinematic Lighting in Maya: Interior & Character Lighting
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Cinematic Lighting in Maya: Interior & Character Lighting
This course is part of Cinematic Lighting in Maya Specialization
Instructor: Skillshare
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level
Some related experience required
6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
September 2025
Assessments
3 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the Cinematic Lighting in Maya Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 3 modules in this course
Build cinematic atmosphere from the ground up. You’ll craft volumetric fog for depth, use gobos for expressive patterning, and layer small scene details that sell realism. The module closes with a concise post-production pass—balancing exposure, contrast, and color—to give your shots the polished finish expected in production.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Translate cinematography choices into compelling interiors. You’ll align camera angles with lighting intent, then design a convincing golden-hour scene—controlling warmth, shadows, and highlight rolloff. Finally, you’ll add supporting lights to shape faces, separate subjects from the background, and achieve consistent results across shots.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Master time-of-day interiors and apply those principles to a hero character. You’ll contrast crisp midday looks with moody night scenes, then design a character lighting rig that feels integrated and intentional. The capstone render focuses on clean shadows, controlled highlights, and a cohesive atmosphere that holds up in close-ups.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
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