Sound and Color

The importance of sound in movies cannot be overstated. Not only can more complicated plots be developed through the use of audible dialogue, but soundtracks and music to drive forward plot could also be used. For example, soind can be used as a way to foreshadow events that are going to happen. Think about any horror film you've ever seen. you always know the bad guy is around the corner because the music changes to a lower more foreboding sound. Of course there are visual cues that work with sound to foreshadow, i don' think we all realize how important sound is. Here is a famous example of how sound csn be used to foreshadow.

Now every time We hear this song, the audience is prepared for something bad to happen. Here's and example of how sound and editing van effect the whole tone of a movie. As we all know Dumb and Dumber is a rediculous comedy, but if you put the exact same scenes of a movie and add a different soundtrack it changes the whole meaning of the visual. 

Color can also have a tremendous effect on a movie. Color, like sound allows the director to introduce themes. Because color already has an cultural meaning behind it, the audience can infer a lot about characters and location through the colors used. For example, white has the connotation of purity and innocence in many cultures, so if you dress a character in white or light colors, the audience understands inherent qualities about a character without the film having to spell it out for the audience. On the contrary if the character is wearing red, the audience will believthe opposite to be true.

One of my all time favorite movies is called The Fall. It is an amazing movie for many reasons, but one of the best things about this movie is it's use of color. Heres a trailer. Now you tell me, do you think this movie would have the same impact in black and white?