You have likely scrolled past them without knowing the specific terminology. These are the clips of a cyberpunk street glistening after rain, a silhouette of a woman smoking outside a dingy bar lit only by a magenta sign, or a high-speed car chase through a tunnel of electric blue light.

Search for "neon dark" on YouTube, and you’ll find endless loops of rain hitting a window in a futuristic city. This visual style has become the go-to backdrop for productivity and relaxation. The darkness provides a sense of isolation and focus, while the neon provides enough warmth to keep it from being depressing.

But what exactly defines a neon dark video? Why has it become the go-to visual language for moody cinematic storytelling? And, most importantly, how can you shoot and edit your own without a Hollywood budget?

Forget expensive ARRI kits. The "neon dark" look is built on practical lights.