Since its inception, film has always been, at its core, a visual media. One of the most important and striking aspects of a film is its use of color to incite a psychological response from the audience. Color can be used to convey a mood and set the tone or ambiance of a scene. Take for example the film Oh Brother Where Art Thou,  in which the color scheme is generally desaturated but with an emphasis on the sepia-like tones of yellow, gold and brown. This creates an overall effect which brings to mind nostalgia, history, and a hearkening of times gone by.

While color is certainly important to setting the overall tone of a scene, it can also be used to imply certain qualities of a specific character. As a setting, the color green brings to mind lush, verdant fields and the fertility and hope of a fresh spring morning. On a character, however, green can be used to convey evil,  and a dark, sickness of the spirit. In the film The Wizard of Oz, it is exceedingly obvious to the audience that in comparison to Dorothy’s pale pink and blue innocence, the Wicked Witch of the West is the evil villain of the tale.

But color can be used for more than just creating a feeling, it can also be used as a highlight, to guide the audience to see what is important. In Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Schindler’s List, the entire film is shot in tones of black and white. One of only four images of color in the entire three hour and fifteen minute film belongs to the lost little girl in the striking red coat. The audience can’t help but notice her. In a sea of destruction, mutilation and mass murder it is easy to lose sight of the humanity on both sides. But the image of the little girl in the red coat brings to mind individuality; she stands out, and you can be sure she is a person, not just another faceless casualty. One little flash of red represents the importance and individuality of each of the  millions of lives lost during the Holocaust.

Another great example of a film selectively using color alongside black and white is the movie Pleasantville. In this example, instead of color being used to highlight importance, it is used to demonstrate transition, growth, and change. In the beginning of the film, everything and everyone in Pleasantville is black and white. As the characters transition from a state of simple, perfect ignorance to experiencing real-life, raw emotions they begin to experience vibrant colors. They are awakened to the reality and complexity of their worlds and this awakening is evidenced by themselves and their worlds literally blossoming into full and vibrant color.

Without even realizing it, we are influenced by the use of color in film, other visual medias like television and advertising, and in real life situations as well. The psychology of color theory will never cease to be fascinating and for more information and examples of the clever use of color in film, check out this video “Colour In Storytelling.” (WARNING: seizure inducing flashing lights/colors in the beginning of the video)