markg@nvuxf.UUCP (M. Guzdial) (05/11/85)
I have seen a hand-tinted film, "The Great Train Robbery," and the colors
were WAY off. The colors were literally "Day Glo" in their brightness and
their intensity. I would be very optimistic about some good computer-
generated tintings.
At the same time, I agree whole heartedly with the comments made earlier
about color "spoiling" some classic B&W scenes. For example, many "film
noir" films would be ruined with anything but black-and-shiny colorings.
On a similar note, I'd like to ask the newsgroup's opinion on a discussion
I had with my film class professor. On just this point, color vs. B&W,
he stated that "film noir" could ONLY be done in black-and-white. I
disagreed saying that "Blade Runner" was a successful "film noir" in color.
He disagreed saying that he felt that BR just "didn't make it" as film
noir. Comments?
Mark Guzdial
{ihnp4, houxm}!nvuxf!markg
(201) 949-5471leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper) (05/12/85)
>On a similar note, I'd like to ask the newsgroup's opinion >on a discussion I had with my film class professor. On just >this point, color vs. B&W, he stated that "film noir" could >ONLY be done in black-and-white. I disagreed saying that >"Blade Runner" was a successful "film noir" in color. He >disagreed saying that he felt that BR just "didn't make it" >as film noir. Comments? Whether or not BLADERUNNER is really good as a film noir film, I think he is wrong. It would be pretty tough sustaining a film noir atmosphere with the exaggerated Technicolor of the 40's, but there is color and color. Somebody who knows what he is doing can make a color scene more downbeat than a black and white one. Consider the new version of 1984. It was probably more downbeat than had it been done monochrome because he muted all the colors. I cannot point to a film that really works as film noir in color (unless maybe BODY HEAT?) but there is no reason I have ever heard that film noir need be black and white, just that it not sabotage itself with the use of color. It strikes me that your professor has little faith in the filmmaker's ability to use color wisely. Mark Leeper ...ihnp4!mtgzz!leeper