Considering cinema’s origin in black and white, it’s not surprising that many filmmakers have an obsession with color in films. From wardrobe choices and color gels to post-production filters and fonts, movie color schemes play a vital role in a director’s vision.
Before we begin, we highly recommend viewing Lewis Bond’s video Color In Storytelling. It is not only an practical analysis of how movie color palettes enhance storytelling, but also an engaging historical recap on the maturation of color in film.
HOW CAN COLOR TELL A STORY?
Simply put, color can affect us emotionally, psychologically and even physically, often without us becoming aware. Color in film can build harmony or tension within a scene, or bring attention to a key themes.
When telling a story, colors can…
Elicit psychological reactions with the audience
Draw focus to significant details
Set the tone of the movie
Represent character traits and more
Show changes or arcs in the story
When chosen deliberately, a well-placed movie color palette evokes mood and sets the tone for the film. The three main components of a color are hue, saturation, and value.
As Bond mentions, many viewers will have predictably similar reactions to certain colors. A strong red color has been shown to raise blood pressure, while a blue color elicits a calming effect.
Here's a quick guide:
RED – anger, passion, rage, desire, excitement, energy, speed, strength, power, heat, love, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence
PINK -love, innocence, healthy, happy, content, romantic, charming, playfulness, soft, delicate, feminine
YELLOW –wisdom, knowledge, relaxation, joy, happiness, optimism, idealism,imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal,jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard
ORANGE – humor, energy, balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant
GREEN –healing, soothing, perseverance, tenacity, self-awareness, proud, unchanging nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, vigour, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy
BLUE – faith, spirituality, contentment, loyalty, fulfillment peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, sky, water, cold, technology, depression
PURPLE/VIOLET –erotic, royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning, power, sensitive, intimacy
BROWN –materialistic, sensation, earth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, stability, simplicity
BLACK – No, power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger
WHITE –Yes, protection, love, reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical, sterile
SILVER –riches, glamorous, distinguished, earthy, natural, sleek, elegant, high-tech
GOLD –precious, riches, extravagance. warm, wealth, prosperity,
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