Our world is full of color, and so are most contemporary movies. Yet, it hasn’t always been this way. If you’re interested in film history, then you were probably as curious about the Technicolor era as I was. Even if you’re not, this term seems to pop up more and more lately. Believe it or not, two of this year’s Oscar nominees emulated lush, bright, and vibrant visuals from the past. But why? In this article, we explain what the Technicolor look means, and how this groundbreaking technology worked. Also, we explore some modern films inspired by this aesthetic, and why they used it. Is Technicolor simply back in fashion like everything else in our history that goes in loops? I don’t believe so. We’ve seen movies replicating this distinct visual atmosphere now and then throughout the decades. Crafting the cinematic world so bold, saturated, and vivid that it’s almost surreal is a powerful tool. Not only can it be joyful to watch, but also special colors indeed may serve storytelling needs. Let’s talk below about emulating a Technicolor look in digital cinematography. What is a Technicolor look? Technicolor (which is still a trademark) is a company that was founded in 1914 by three gentlemen: Herbert T. Kalmus, Daniel Comstock, and Burton Wescott (“Tech” in the name refers to MIT, where Kalmus and Comstock originally met). Their goal was to achieve full-spectrum color photography for motion pictures, and so they did. It’s important to mention that Technicolor wasn’t the first...
Published By: CineD - Friday, 22 March, 2024