Colour in Story Telling

#1:  Research the use of colour in a film you are familiar with
Discuss how colour is used in the film to support the story
May include: characters, time, place, mood, subtext

Gladiator colour in Lighting:
Variant color of lighting could shape out the atmosphere of the entire scene where it could captures the audience’s attention and further their expectations. In initial part of scenes, the color lighting used was rather dim and bluish to show the miserable war atmosphere.In major parts of the film, dim color lighting or chiaroscuro lighting was also often used. The purpose is to portray the nervous atmosphere of the thorough narratives. For instance, when Commodus is planning something bad, low key lighting will be applied on his face. Sometimes, the director will play lights on certain facial expressions to enhance the psychological feeling of a character. For example, after the arrangement of Maximus’s escape, Lucilla met Commodus where he questioned her whereabouts. At that moment, a line of lighting source was applied on Lucilla’s eyes, indicating the mysterious plan she had prepared. Furthermore, surreal color was applied during the illusion saw by Maximus after he was injured.

Gladiator colour in costume:
Furthermore, costumes and make-up also play an important role in the language of film. The status of a character can be visible with the change of an outfit. For instance, the transformation of Maximus from a slave to Gladiator is visible with the wear of armor. It also indicates how Maximus struggles and fights for his fate; from a slave gradually taking the position of Gladiator that loved by the people of Rome. The armor he wore also proves his status of becoming the savior of Rome.
Besides, divergence between the authority and the poor citizens were also evident to be seen through their clothing and make-up. For instance, the upper-class residents wore expensive fabrics embroidered with much jewelry while the lower-class citizens wore ragged or cheap cloths.

#2:  Choose a film from the list that you are NOT familiar with.
Watch this film and discuss how colour influenced your understanding or interpretation of what was happening.
May include:  characters, time, place, mood, subtext