Color

 Hey again! In the last blog post, I covered the outfits my group is going to wear throughout our movie opener. Now, in this post, I will address the specifics of our use of color in the opener. Using what we have learned in color theory, we have chosen color palettes that help progress the different aspects, from the natural light of our locations to the clothing of our characters.

In the beach memorial scene, we will use colors that are both warm and cool-toned. The sand will provide a soft, creamy beige base. The ocean will be a deep, teal blue, while the sunset will wash away the scene in hazy gradients of orange and pink. We will lean into these natural, but desaturated versions of warm and cool colors to create a feeling of solemnness. This background makes the pure white of our dresses stand out as a stark, symbolic choice against the emotional colors of the environment. The white in our dresses represents purity and a signal of new beginnings. At the same time, the white represents heaven and angels as we are grieving over Jahzara's death. 

For the flashback scene in Jahzara's bedroom, we will use a divided color scheme to mirror the emotional conflict. The walls of the bedroom will be dull, and the beddings and furnishings will be in neutral tones, such as off-white and beige. This creates a sterile and drained environment. The only vibrant colors in her room will be from the pictures of us together. The pictures will feature many cool-toned colors to help symbolize tranquility, peace, and harmony. The small detail of color in the photos is a visual anchor of the friendship being overshadowed by death. Moreover, our outfits in this scene also intentionally contrast with the background. I wear a light blue crop top and blue jeans to symbolize my character before her death. The blue represents serenity and peace within my character before coming to the realization of Jahzara's death. Ngoc wears a white quarter zip, in which the white represents the innocence in her character. Emi wears a yellow halter top, in which the pastel yellow represents her optimism and energy. 

For the present-day school scene, the colors will be restricted to a cold, impersonal atmosphere. The walls are painted a dull vanilla yellow-white color. The color of the walls has subtle yellow and grey undertones that give it a prison-like vibe under the fluorescent lights. Yellow usually symbolizes energy and optimism, but because the walls are a muted version of yellow, it conveys the message that optimism is being suppressed. In addition, the floor is made of light medium grey tiles, a cold and hard surface that also reflects the fluorescent lights. The grey colors further add to the mood of this scene, which is a contrast between the vibrant, warm memory of Jahara and the bleak reality of life without her. Likewise, grey is the color of ash, which symbolizes her death. The color drains the energy from the space, making it feel empty and static. Thus, the monotone grey floor, combined with the muted yellow walls, visually traps the characters. I am trapped in my own performative happiness, Emi is trapped in her withdrawal, and Ngoc is trapped in her silent observation.