What aspect of a film does 'lighting' significantly influence?

Lighting is a fundamental element in filmmaking that plays a crucial role in establishing the mood and tone of a film. It affects how viewers perceive the visual aesthetic, influencing emotional responses and enhancing the storytelling.

For example, soft, warm lighting can create a romantic or nostalgic feel, while harsh, cold lighting might convey tension or unease. The manipulation of shadows and highlights through lighting design can also help in visually representing a character’s internal conflict or the overall theme of a scene.

In contrast, while character development may benefit from lighting choices, it is not primarily influenced by lighting as much as it is by dialogue and performance. The music score, although pivotal to a film's emotional impact, operates independently of visual elements like lighting. Special effects are technical aspects that involve the creation of visual illusions, which can be illuminated by lighting but are not directly influenced by it. Thus, lighting's primary contribution is indeed to the mood and tone, making this answer the most fitting choice.