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Color Theory:
Color Theory:
The basis of color theory in film lies in the acronym HSB: which stand for Hue, Saturation, and Brightness respectively. Hue in layman’s terms is color -whether it is red, blue, yellow etc. Saturation refers to how strong/vivid or muted the color appears. Lastly brightness is more self explanatory, it is how dark or light the color is. Now most people know the basics of color: there are primary, secondary, and the lesser known tertiary colors. Now films can choose many different palettes or single color associations to create specific feelings and give meaning. Color theory has its basis in psychology; but we’re mainly concerned with how that translates into the world of cinematography.
Shakespeare in Yosemite is just one example of how shades of color can affect the experience of the viewer. Films can have a monochromatic scheme, contrasting theme, analogous theme or a tridactic theme. We decided to use mainly the monochromatic color green, with accents of gray shades and silver. A professional film with this scheme is 'The Matrix' by Director Lana Wachowski. However, what colors you choose can have an affect on the viewer that is different from what basic color may explain. This is up to the director and editors and how they choose to use the color. For us, Green can be associated with many feelings (greed, disgust, nature, vitality) which can pair with silver (industrial and clean). Overall, film can be a great place for students to start working with color in life aside from the basic color circle taught in art classes. Hopefully next time you watch a television show or a movie you take a minute extra to think about the colors on screen and what the director might be trying to tell you through them.
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