Colors

Color Psychology

Short Overview

Colors in film are often used to guide the audience's perception of a scene. Colors are also used as an extension of the character's mindset. Specific colors have developed into being associated with distinct things, for instance, red can represent love and passion, but it also represents anger and violence. Depending on the context in which a color is being used, it will provoke a different reaction.

Yellow; Obsession.

The color yellow is very striking and noticeable, it sticks out to audiences when it is used. Traditionally, this color can represent more positive emotions such as wisdom or knowledge, but usually is used in a more "deranged" way. Yellow represents sickness, insecurity, idealization, cowardice, deceit, hazard, and the most relevant to me; obsession. 

Examples in film

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, a big inspiration I take is from the "tortured artist trope." One of the most popular texts of this is Whiplash, a film about a young man who becomes consumed by his passion for becoming one of the greatest jazz drummers in history. In doing so, he becomes so obsessed he destroys his relationships with several people and even allows it to physically harm him. In this movie, yellow is often used, especially when displaying Andrew (protagonist), at the peak of his obsession. 

I am choosing to color correct using this in Runner Up, because like Andrew in Whiplash, Will is "pushed to the edge of sanity" (Yamout) by his own hand. He, like other character in plot lines of this trope, present the audience with the question "how far will people push themselves in order to be the best?"

Sources:

• https://scenesfromanimaginaryfilm.wordpress.com/2016/03/27/obsessions-inferno-the-cinematography-of-whiplash/
• https://ipr.edu/blogs/digital-video-and-media-production/color-theory-in-film-a-video-producers-guide/#:~:text=Color%20Theory%20in%20Story%20Telling&text=This%20helps%20the%20viewer%20feel,overall%20tone%20of%20the%20film.
• https://nofilmschool.com/color-psychology-in-film
• https://medium.com/@jackneath2/killing-the-tortured-artist-trope-924b38e24b6c