Colour is often overlooked when we study films. We think of colour as a natural component but it is often used deliberately to show something important.
Match the colour with what it can often represent in films. Red
Envy or jealousy Blue
Green Yellow Brown Black
Natural elements such as soil Happy and optimistic Darkness and negativity
Natural elements such as the sea and sky Danger
This use of colour – to represent mood or landscape – is only one way in which colour can be used in films. Think about and consider other ways in which colour might be used. For example:
1. Is colour representing:
l Gender (stereotypically pink for girls and blue for boys)
l Religion (orange for Buddhism) l Politics (red is associated with Communism) l Culture (green is associated with the Irish)
2. Are certain colours being repeated? 3. Does colour help build an atmosphere or mood?
4. Are the colours being used in harmony or do do certain colours clash (not work well together)?
5. Is the film deliberately shot in black and white? If so, why?
Look at this still from The Wizard of Oz and describe how you think colour is being used in the scene.
