Chapter 7 "Color" from The Art of Watching Films.
Some things to consider in light of this reading:
1) Think of films you have seen where color has specifically attracted your attention. Why was the use of color note worthy? Did it conform to any of the descriptions in the chapter, such as ironic or expressionistic use of color? Did color affect mood or give clues about plot or character movement?
2) Consider your experience of watching black and white films. The visual aesthetics and impact of these films depend on careful attention to values (light, dark, shadow, highlights) rather than colors. What black and white films have you seen that are especially successful or memorable in this regard?
3) Pages 230-231 discuss the concept of "warm" versus "cool" colors. Can you think of any examples of this in your own life (your surroundings, artistic choices, films or TV viewed, favorite artworks) where the temperature of color has affected you?
4) Color harmony (described on pages 232-233) functions as a collaboration among the director, cinematographer, production designer, costume and other designers. What are the different properties and issues these different departments might consider regarding how color is used?
5) On page 237, the statements of two critics about the same scene show the interpretive subjectivity of color in cinema. Is it possible to create a truly objective use of color? Why or why not?
Please be prepared to discuss these questions and the reading on Monday.
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ReplyDeleteJust to start, I will be honest here and say that I am not at all a film buff and do not watch movies at my own leisure very often at all. That being said, I am interested in colors and the psychological effects they have on people, especially in such a large media genre as film, which is why I opted to take this particular seminar. With my limited movie knowledge I will try my best to get into film analysis mode. I find it remarkable how much you can do with color when it comes to manipulating viewers' emotions. As they said in the reading, it really is a very subconscious thing since we all take color films for granted, including myself. So this is my take on this week's discussion questions.
ReplyDelete1) Think of films you have seen where color has specifically attracted your attention. Why was the use of color note worthy? Did it conform to any of the descriptions in the chapter, such as ironic or expressionistic use of color? Did color affect mood or give clues about plot or character movement?
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory relies heavily on color. I haven't seen it in a while, but I believe it has an expressionistic use of color in that once inside the factory everything is so saturated and surreal. The reading discusses complementary harmony as opposite colors on the color wheel reacting vividly with each other. This film probably makes use of this technique as the scenery really pops out in a captivating way.
One film that comes to mind that uses color to express character movement is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In general the colors are pretty standard throughout the film, yet in the scene's with Kate Winslet's character her very bright, ever-changing hair colors draws the viewers eyes to her. Throughout the movie her hair color changes 4 or 5 times which from what I gather demonstrates the passage of time, her spontaneous personality and how she changes with the passage of time.
2) Consider your experience of watching black and white films. The visual aesthetics and impact of these films depend on careful attention to values (light, dark, shadow, highlights) rather than colors. What black and white films have you seen that are especially successful or memorable in this regard?
I haven't seen many black and white films recently, so the first one that popped into my mind was Sin City. They discuss in the chapter how it's use of monochrome and black and white suit the feel of the movie just right, but don't go into any detail besides that. What's so impressive to me about Sin City is not only does the black and white paint the dark, disturbed setting, but it makes you feel like you're in a comic book, or graphic novel to be more politically correct. The contrast level is so high it adds to the intensity of the film, but also removes a lot of the reality, which as a graphic novel interpretation, probably was not one of their priorities anyways. Then when they add in the yellow hues of Goldie's hair and the red shoes, etc, your attention cannot help but be drawn to them, which, for me adds a little bit of a shock factor, when these bright primary colors throw you off guard and further immerse and intrigue you in this comic book world.
3) Pages 230-231 discuss the concept of "warm" versus "cool" colors. Can you think of any examples of this in your own life (your surroundings, artistic choices, films or TV viewed, favorite artworks) where the temperature of color has affected you?
I'm very affected by my surroundings to begin with, so just in general color and lighting can definitely contribute to or alter my mood. When I am trying to unwind and relax I am drawn to cool colors while warm colors are more inspiring to me. Sitting outside encompassed in the cool tones of green trees and blue skies really is one of the most comforting places to be. As for warm tones, one of my favorite artists is Alex Grey, (he does a lot of Tool's artwork) and his work is pretty trippy for one thing, but his use of warm colors just makes them both visually and emotionally interesting.
A recent example of when I was greatly affected by the temperature of a film was The Dark Knight, which I just saw for the first time about a month ago. It was an intense film to begin with, but as I recall, there was not a whole lot of color in the film. Aside from blood and explosions Gotham is a rather dark and muted place in terms of color. The only really colorful character is the joker with his deep purple suit and green tinted hair so your focus is always on him when he's in the room. Even if Batman's in the room too the joker's multi-colored attire serves as contrast against Batman's solid black suit. This movie just left me in a very awed sort of state that I had to snap myself back out of. Like I said, I'm no film buff and have only seen this film once so if anyone wants to further analyze I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on it.
5) On page 237, the statements of two critics about the same scene show the interpretive subjectivity of color in cinema. Is it possible to create a truly objective use of color? Why or why not?
I don't believe that it is in any way possible to create a truly objective use of color, except maybe in using advancing colors to make clear what is meant to be the center of attention. For example, putting a character in red against a light blue and beige background of muted colors, it is probably pretty inevitable that that is where almost all of the viewers eyes are going to fixate. It is easier to consistently influence where the viewers are going to look than how they are going to feel. When it comes to affecting peoples' emotions everyone is going to react their own personal way. Everyone will witness the same storyline and colors, but will react depending on who they are and where they are in life at that moment. For example, I imagine that someone who has just experienced some sort of loss will be more sensitive to a deathbed scene and more susceptible to the cooler or darker tones that might be used in such a scene than someone who is not able to relate as easily. Color is a method of expression, but the interpretation is purely subjective.
1) FIlms that I have seen with color being so distinct? I remember seeing for the first time "Do the right thing" The colors on the walls are impossible to miss. And allt he deep rich satuated colors made the summer that the film set during even more unbearable. I thought that was a great use of color because of the tension that was created by the context of the film which was racial. The colors definitly added to that, and may also represent how the people of brooklyn were segragated as well.
ReplyDelete2) I've seen a ton of Black and white films, but honestly, I never really though about the tonality of the black and white. But if I had to choose one that stood out for me, it was "psycho" I remember how dark the movie was, and when the shower scene hit, it was all white and brightly lit, and there was really no place for your eyes to hide from. The ending for that movie was also crazy with the swinging light bulb. I think the moving light added a great effect to the disturbed nature of Norman Bates.
3) I think of the films that does a great job at the warm and cool effect was Lord of the rings. In the begining, it was set in the shire where you have lush greens, and water, and it was set in the spring time. Beautiful and cool at the same time. In the end of the fellowship, Sam gets drenched in the lake, which felt very cool as well.
In the two towers, it was very yellow, the color scheme of the rohan was very earth, and golden. There was a lot of terrain, a lot of dirt, and dry.
And then in the return of the king, it was very dark and red with mount doom and such.
4) As for production, and collaberation of the director, cinematographer, and production designer, communication of color is HUGE! How can one move forward without the other? the color sets the tone of the piece, the cinematographer has to capture that with ther camera, which includes which type of film stock, which filters to use, how much light should be used. As for the production designer, well he/she is in charge of the art team. All the sets built, and paints used, the concept art developed, and a million of other pieces comes out of his hands.
5) Truely be objective? I think in a way theres a general, acceptance of what colors represent. But once we bring the film into another culture, than everything changes. For example, in Asian culture specifically vietnamese, Red is the color of good luck, and prosperity, and White in America is worn at weddings, while white in vietnam is worn at funerals. So I'm not quite sure if there can be any objectivity in colors, unless, we look at the mordern world, where neons are going to affect the world the same way. because it was developed while the world was communicating, but the color of neons may say something different.