Post Production: Colour corrections and the use of Colour

On this version of the rough cut, I've focused on colour correction and the colour pallet. I've made adjustments to exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows and blacks and whites to get a stable looking image with the consistency needed for the film. In the clip above, the differences are shown.

Colour Pallet for film

I've then considered the use of colour. As green is a dominant colour in the shots due to the location we were on; I'm controlling this with saturation.

 At the start of the film, the colours are desaturated by 50%. This gives a grey feel whilst retaining the reality of colour. It also blends with the colour of the smoke that rises in these scenes; generally reflecting a bleak beginning for the protagonist.

After this, the colours are saturated slightly more but not fully. This creates a sickly green on the greenery in shots. There is also a green tint added to emphasise the sickly colour. This is to picture how the protagonist feels after inhaling all the smoke and also to make the picture the narrator is painting seem rather diseased.

Then, in the scene at the lake, full saturation to the green is restored and the highlights are emphasised.  This green differs from that of the previous; it looks and feels fresh and lush. Although the protagonist is in despair, he is surrounded by masses of lush green. This is the start of the turn around the protagonist takes in getting back up on his feet; figuratively. 

Warmth then begins to be added to the shots. This reflects the change in perception for the protagonist, the sunset glares in the background to make all the greens brighter and an adjustment to colour temperature adds to the warmth.

Finally, by the end of the film, we see for the first time, the introduction of orange in the fire. This  is the warmest colour in the whole film and marks the top of the mountain the protagonist has climbed. This colour is surrounded by dark and shadows to bring it out more to the audience; emphasising on the end of the protagonist's struggle; the first light that appears in the darkness that has surrounded him throughout the film. 

This arc of colours synchronises with the arc of the character. And the beginning of the film, he feels cold, sick and empty; with the use of green and grey desaturation. In the height of his sadness, he is shedding his despair for a fresh start; represented by the lush green. As he gradually gets motivated to remember how to enjoy himself and love himself, he feels warmer inside; evident in the gradual shift in saturation to end on a warm orange glow of the fire.

In summary:  from cold to sick to fresh to warm