Due to wanting to build suspense and an unsettling feeling for the audience in our film, I feel as if researching the impact of color psychology would allow me to apply and improve the film with the tone and suspense created using that knowledge.
The intentional use of color to stimulate certain emotional and psychological reactions from viewers is known as color psychology in movies and television shows. Filmmakers use color schemes to build people, improve narrative, and create engaging environments. Every color has associations and meanings of its own that affect how the viewer perceives and feels. (Fusco & Hellerman, 2023)
Through the use of color psychology, filmmakers can enhance the impact of scenes and narratives by appealing to viewers' subconscious reactions. Color psychology enhances the emotional impact of movies and television shows, whether it is through the ominous use of shadows, the vivid colors of a romance scene, or the colorless design of a dim future (Fusco & Hellerman, 2023)
Child’s Play
In the Child’s Play (1988) poster, color is used to contrast innocence with horror as the poster uses color to quickly show viewers that the film is a horror story, even before they notice the details of Chucky himself. The poster features bright staturated color, such as red, blue, and a yellowish orange that are taken directly from the Good Guy doll design. Psychologically, these colors normally suggest childhood, safety, and playfulness, but in the horror context they become unsettling due to the overall view.
The background is almost completely black, which creates a sense of darkness and danger. Black is a common horror color because it suggests the unknown and makes the main figure stand out sharply. The red in the title and around the knife signals violence, blood, and fear, as red is one of the strongest danger colors used to signal “slasher”. The cold blue lighting on Chucky’s face adds a nighttime, unnatural feeling. These colors work together to create a tense mood that tells the viewer the film is frightening and violent.
The poster also uses color to highlight the theme of a child’s toy becoming a killer. The bright, toy-like colors, especially the orange hair and colorful clothing, stand out against the dark background, making Chucky look both playful and threatening at the same time.
The IT movie poster with the kid in the yellow raincoat uses color in a very clear and simple way to show danger and fear. The bright yellow jacket is the first thing you notice, and it stands out sharply against the dark background. Yellow is normally a cheerful, safe color, but in horror it becomes unsettling because it looks out of place. It makes the child seem small, innocent, and vulnerable. The background is mostly black and grey, which creates a cold, empty feeling and hints that something bad is hiding in the shadows. This dark setting warns the viewer that the story involves mystery, fear, and something lurking just out of sight.
IT
The red balloon he holds is a classic horror signal as red suggests blood, danger, and a trap. Against the background, the red balloon almost glows, making it clear that it represents something evil, drawing the child in. The contrast between the kid’s bright yellow coat and the deep red balloon shows the clash between innocence and danger. Together, the yellow, red, and black color scheme codes the movie as a supernatural horror story about a predator targeting children, and builds tension before the viewer even knows the plot.Reflection:
My color palette will show the horror genre and mood slowly appearing by using dark colors like black and red. These colors are often linked to danger, fear, and the unknown, which helps build suspense. but will first come off as innocent with colors like green or blue, to overshadow danger and later reveal it, keeping the audience on their toes. Using mostly dark tones with small bright colors makes the scenes feel unsettling and tense. This helps the audience quickly understand the genre and feel the creepy mood from the start.References
Fusc o, J., & Hellerman, J. (2023, August 30). The Psychology of Color in Film. Nofilmschool.com; nofilmschool. https://nofilmschool.com/color-psychology-in-film
HQ. (2024, November 30). What Is the Role of Color in Horror Visuals? Thehorrorhq.com; The Horror HQ. https://thehorrorhq.com/blog/what-is-the-role-of-color-in-horror-visuals
.
Reflection: How will your color palette immediately signal your genre and mood to the audience?
No comments:
Post a Comment