Coffee & Content: When The Director Is An Expert In Color Theory

a year ago

Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend.

First up, in this video from Archer Green, you'll see how to use color theory to add both to the visual impact and thematic arc of your story. Specifically, you'll look at LA LA LAND by Damien Chazelle, hearing his own thought process behind the choices he made and seeing how color theory can heighten your own project.

Next, in this 'Actors On Actors' video from Variety, PAST LIVES star Greta Lee and ALL OF US STRANGERS star Andrew Scott sit down to discuss two small movies that have made a huge impression on the entertainment industry this past year. The performers discuss the emotional resonance of the films and their approaches to these complex characters.

As always, here at Stage 32, we love to share stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! Tag them below! You can keep up with all of our content by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and Twitter @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, & creative Sunday.

Cheers,

Archer Green | When The Director Is An Expert In Color Theory

Variety | Actors On Actors: Andrew Scott And Greta Lee

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About the Author

Richard "RB" Botto has created the online platform and marketplace designed to democratize the entertainment industry, Stage 32. By leveling the playing field for all film, television and digital content creators and professionals worldwide, Stage 32 provides networking and training opportunities as...

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12 Comments on Richard RB's Article

Geoff Hall

Screenwriter, Director, Producer

Thanks for this, RB. Many years ago, I majored on Art History and became enamoured with the Bauhaus Arts College in Germany. I loved reading about their colour theory as expounded by Johannes Itten, as well as the neon colours of Kirchner’s night scenes of Berlin. It has such an impact. Many years ago now, whilst I was in Berlin with my son, we went to the Berlin Film Museum and saw the set models for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. I loved the use of colour casts in it, to evoke emotion and mystery. In a notebook somewhere, I have scribbled ideas for a film about my Dad’s army career (WW2) and I’m thinking of shooting it in black and white, but having colour casts for different scenes. We’ll see how this pans out! Thanks again for sharing this, it has evoked lots of memories and visions of filmmaking.

a year ago

Richard RB Botto

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist

Done.

a year ago

Geoff Hall

Screenwriter, Director, Producer

A truly awesome experience, RB. We also saw a replica of the robot/woman/transformation suit, which was quite something. The next time you are in Berlin, it would be well worth a visit.

a year ago

Sherri ZImmerman

Art Director, Author, Craft Services, Graphic Designer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Translator

Extremely helpful.

a year ago

Richard RB Botto

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist

Thrilled to hear it, Sherri ZImmerman

a year ago

Sherri ZImmerman

Art Director, Author, Craft Services, Graphic Designer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Translator

Ooooohhh SO THANK YOU for this... trying to keep up! SO much education to absorb. LOL THANKS to you experts, I AM JUST TRUSTING the process and my guides!

a year ago

Richard RB Botto

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist

Most welcome.

a year ago

Sherri ZImmerman

Art Director, Author, Craft Services, Graphic Designer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Translator

I saw the words PAST LIVES... and that was it... LOL

a year ago

Linwood Bell

Composer

Thanks for the links, RB. Now I'm even a bigger Greta Lee fan.

a year ago

Ashley Smith 23

Creative Executive, Script Consultant, Producer

The Archer Green video is so interesting! I remember when La La Land first came out and I talked with my husband about how the dreamy, heightened reality feel to the visuals were what I thought really drew the viewer in. It makes sense that the deeper intentions behind color choices were such a big part of that. Thanks for sharing this, RB!

a year ago

Harri-Pekka Virkki

Author, Stunt Performer

Thank you, Richard RB

a year ago

Haley Mary

Actor, Songwriter, Comedian

That part of the different colors, blue, purple, green, red and how it relates to the mood, emotion, relationships, dreams and reality of the characters is so interesting. I've never noticed the use of color in cinema before. Very powerful.

a year ago

Tom Stohlgren

Author, Researcher, Screenwriter

I never gave color a second thought until now. I realized that my black-and-white script pages could use a lot more attention to describing moods, music, and colors in action lines. This was a great tip. I also liked “the old crusty bagels,” reference from Greta Lee. Andrew Scott also made several great points about the ups and downs of the film business. I agree that it’s time to “stop the glorification of busy.” Very profound. Thanks for posting, RB.

a year ago

Amanda Toney - Next Level Education

Director of Operations, Producer

That La La Land footage was awesome!

a year ago

Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter

Happy IYW, RB! The narrator in the first video says there’s a severe lack of color in movies nowadays. He’s right. I noticed the color in the original INDIANA JONES movies were a lot brighter than the color in the newest movie. I like rich color in movies. There are times when darker is better though -- like in a Horror movie, when a director wants to use dark color to show a character’s mood or a bad situation, etc. I’m starting to use color more in my scripts. It’s a powerful writing tool.

a year ago