Imagine watching your favorite movie without color would it be the same? Aside from the obvious lack of vibrancy, a sensation of emotional depth may be lost. This is not to undermine the success of various white and black films, as they were remarkable. Nonetheless, with the advancement in technology in the film industry was an opportunity for a revolution in storytelling to come to be.
When seen through the eyes of psychology we are able to see how some colors impact us all in the same way. Although the only times this is not true is based on the context, such as cultures, genders, mood within a situation or movie scene. Starting off with the first color in the rainbow, red, is seen to entice passion, such as love; like roses, anger is used because some people get red when they are mad. Orange tends to be a very warm color, and when you think of warmth in a person, the two golden hours, which have a golden effect, it is also used for roaming fire. Yellow is seen as a glow such as the sun, usually meant for caution or to stand out. If you were to go outside or even look at a landscape, the chances of seeing the green would be virtually impossible not to come across, also, sometimes, it is used to represent luck or even at times disgust or an evil character. Blue is a color that does tend to stand out; however, through a psychological point of view it is said to be the color of trust, calm, or clarity, such as a clear blue sky. It also represents sadness or coldness. Now for the colors that are not really considered colors: black, white, and grey. White is usually seen in a heavenly manner and is considered to be light in weight. Meanwhile, black is dark and may come to represent evil, such as Darth Vader; this is why most horror films are filmed at night it is a great opportunity to use dark shadows. Grey is a neutral color; however, it may be used to induce mystery through fog or mist so it has some effects of the color black.
One of the most iconic examples of this color in film was The Wizard of Oz. Although not the first to use color, the film maximized the use of color in groundbreaking ways. The color choices were not just aesthetics alone; it was about the theory of color that could, at a literal point, can be studied through a psychological lens. Colors can evoke specific emotions- directors and cinematographers could create a palette to guide the audience’s experience in subconscious, powerful ways. While we tend to believe that we are unique in how we perceive things, color taps into universal psychological responses. The strategic use of color can elevate a film from being simply good to being unforgettable.
Thought Bubble: In your favorite film, what colors do you notice the most; in the setting, atmosphere, or character’s outfits?
Comments