Color Theory

     In my own research as I prepared for the production of my brief, I learned that color theory is first and foremost a very important medium, and that, as such, color theory in melodramas is seldom used arbitrarily, as it often pertains to inner emotion, memory, and relationships. Call Me By Your Name, I think, is exemplary of the influence of color theory on the viewer without necessarily influencing them through dialogue or symbolism.

    In the duration of the film, warm and golden tones are king. Natural sunlight, earthlike colors, and a soft form of green create a sense of intimacy, nostalgia, and a fleeting connection. Even throughout quieter instances, this acting warmth sustains the emotional experience as immersive and reflective. Rather than resorting to any unnatural boldness or exaggeration, the film relies on naturalistic lighting and subtle grading to maintain realism, to which it closely cleaves and which is proper for modern melodramas.

    This research has also encouraged me to think much more intentionally about what sort of look I wish for my opening scene to convey. Since I will be given two minutes for my brief, I understand that color can immediately work to convey tone before much dialogue is spoken. If I wish to convey emotion, perhaps a lighter, sun-drenched color choice will work. Or, if I wish to convey distance, cooler tones of color will also work, as can be seen in Call Me By Your Name.