{"id":100186,"date":"2021-09-17T05:15:27","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T10:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=100186"},"modified":"2021-09-17T05:15:27","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T10:15:27","slug":"symmetry-color-cinematography-blade-runner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/symmetry-color-cinematography-blade-runner\/","title":{"rendered":"How Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 Perfected the Art of Color Theory"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this cinematography breakdown we look at how Blade Runner 2049 used color to tell a story through light and sound.<\/h2>\n

Cover image via Warner Bros<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Casual friends and inspiring collaborators Denis Villeneuve<\/a> and Roger Deakins<\/a> have made something special with Blade Runner 2049<\/a><\/em>. This film is so dense with visual and auditory delights that filmmakers will be picking it apart and replicating its tricks for years.<\/p>\n

Part of the reason the film has won so many awards and received such acclaim is the incredible attention to detail and plot development. Whether it’s the use of certain colors to evoke certain emotions<\/a> or simply knowing how the audience’s eyes move, these filmmakers have definitely brought a new approach to dystopian science fiction. So, let’s take a look at how the contributions of world class production design, virtuous directing, and innovative cinematography can create one of the most visually stunning films ever made.<\/p>\n

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Yellow<\/h3>\n
\"Finding<\/a>

Image via Warner Bros<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Villeneuve uses yellow as a source of information and enlightenment for our hero, K. Anytime a major plot point gets revealed or a new twist happens, yellow is in the composition somehow. Whether it’s a fire, a light in the background, or a simulated cake, the color acts as a subconscious cue for the audience \u2014 and our hero. Notably, the information bank and Niander’s lair are golden, representing their importance \u2014 and the importance of the characters that dwell therein.<\/p>\n

\"Finding<\/a>

Image via Warner Bros<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Color can be an incredibly powerful tool<\/a> for telling subtle stories and conveying meaning. The beauty of Villeneuve’s color use is that he did this not as a stunt but to advance his story. Find your own style that reflects your personality and fill your projects with it. Have fun with the form, and don’t be afraid to use colors in different ways.<\/p>\n

For a deeper dive into how Deakins shot and lit these scenes, check out our article on the cinematography of Blade Runner 2049:<\/p>\n