Lighting and Colour
I have recently watched two Disney short films, "Feast" and the "Paperman" both of which I think have some clever use of lighting differentiation and subtle colour usage.Festin, le court métrage Disney qui se met dans... by konbini
The first film "Feast" depicts a puppy named Winston who is adopted by a loving owner, whom over the course of the dogs life goes through some good times and bad times this not only effects his own eating habits but that of the Winston's too. Throughout the course of the film there is a prominent use of lightening and shadow usage which creates a realistic feel to the animation while also setting the mood to the scenes. It starts off dark to reflect the dog as a pup foraging for food before it turns to a bright yellow tinge to symbolise the joy the dog receives once adopted and eating properly. This eventually changes after his owner dates a woman whom convinces him to eat healthy, the lightening reflects the Winston's disappointment through a few strategies. I noticed once the healthy food crept into the film, the scenes gradually became more shadowed over the dog while in the background the new couple were submerged in light. This reflects Winston's unhappiness at the sudden lack of special "Human" food now that this woman has come into his owner's life. However although Winston is happy again once his owner is back on the "junk" food when he is down from the insinuated break-up there remains the shadowing, though this time the shadow is directed upon the owner. When Winston figures out what is wrong through the parsley leaf he flees to find his owner's love and meanwhile as he runs through the environment becomes a lot brighter and warmer in temperament. There is a moment towards the end where it almost looks as though the dog has been forgotten again with the lack of extra treats in his bowl. Winston seems disappointed again at first though settles down as content and this mood is complimented through the use balancing out shadow with the warm red tone used to represent the love felt.
Paperman by video bash
What struck me regarding the second short I watched was the use of colour within the animation. I noticed that it was all set in black and white apart from a the bright red used for the woman's lipstick. This gave a striking but at the same time subtle, due to the lack of colour elsewhere, feel to the film. After reviewing the film again however I find that at brief points, such as the moment he throws the paper aeroplane with the lipstick mark across, looks as though a very slight sepia tone has been added to the film. This may have been done to denote the moments of hope the character has of attracting her attention, while choosing to have only the lipstick in full colour presents the idea that this woman brings "colour into his life", so to speak.
