Key, Fill, Backlight and Specials. Some things never change, and basic lighting is one of them. In order for a director to achieve a good look, he or she will need focusable fixtures to use as key and backlights. These will provide the previously mentioned focus to draw the viewers eye to the correct place. In the case of the backlight, separation will be added to provide a more three dimensional look to the show.
Fill lights vary depending on the application.
In television, fill lights are typically either softlights or scoops. A recent addition to this type of light is the color corrected fluorescent. The purpose of these fixtures is to maintain a base or fill level for the camera or eye to see continuity. The ratio of key to fill is what gently, or abruptly, guides your viewers to the appropriate place to watch. In situations where it is not possible to modify contrast with fixtures, contrast altering camera filters may be substituted.