Visual Concept and Colors
(c) Peter D. Marshall
I have read many books and articles on Film Directing over the
past 20 years. As I read, I underline or yellow certain sentences
or paragraphs that contain valuable information. I then take
these marked sentences and type them into a Quick Reference
Directing file on my computer where
I sort them into specific categories, print them out and keep
them in my binder for quick reference.
The following list contains just a few of the “rules and
guidelines” that I have accumulated over the years. In future
articles, I will include more of these valuable tips and
techniques.
VISUAL CONCEPT
* image structure and style
* what is the PRIMORTAL IMAGE (to take the audience into this world)
* design a MOTIF (concept)
* repeat a motif it becomes a style
* decide on what the audience is going to see
* devise a DRAMATIC METAPHOR (motifs & symbols)
* what is the pacing & mood
* PATTERNS:
– triangles
– formalism, constructive, balanced
– circles
* motion going LEFT to RIGHT (comfortable)
* motion going RIGHT to LEFT (conflict)
* anything that is centered has no statement
* anything that is off-centre has implied action
* what is the colour of the story
* stillness creates focus
* action creates focus
* what dialogue is the most important to be heard
* what is the RHYTHM of the story/scene/act (build on the heartbeat)
COLORS
* PHYSICAL: ENVIRONMENT (red,orange, magenta)
– people who relate to the world by interacting with their
physical environment
* PHYSICAL: BODY (yellow, physical tan)
– people who relate to the world through the sensation
triggered by their physical bodies
* MENTAL (mental tan, green, nurturing tan, loving tan)
– people who think about the world and their place in it
* EMOTIONAL & SPIRITUAL (blue, violet, lavender, crystal, indigo)
– people who live in a world where the intangibles of life
(hopes, wishes, dreams) are more important than the tangibles
(emotions, feelings)
* EXTROVERT
– warm colours (red, orange, yellow)
* INTROVERT
– cool colours (green, blue, purple)
* CLEAR, BRIGHT COLOURS
– good physical, mental, emotional health
* MUDDY COLOURS
– depression, anger, self-pity
* RED
– anger, passion, rage, desire, vital force, achieve results,
the present
* PINK
– love and innocence
* YELLOW
– wisdom, knowledge, search for a way out, relaxation, hope of
greater happiness
* ORANGE
– humour
* GREEN
– healing, soothing, perseverance, tenacity, self-awareness,
proud, unchanging
* BLUE
– faith, spirituality, complete calm, contentment, loyalty,
fulfillment
* INDIGO
– power, ego centre
* BROWN
– materialistic, sensation, money conscious, dispossessed and rootless
* BLACK
– extreme anger, people who hide feelings and things, ultimate surrender, No
* WHITE
– protection and love, positive energy, Yes
* GREY
– neutral, remain uncommitted, insulated, unwilling to take
part, non-involvement
* VIOLET
– sensitive intimacy, a magical state, erotic
Copyright (c) 2000 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved
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