Using Color to Convey Emotion

 What Do Different Colors Mean in FIlm?

Red: Anger and VIolence or Passion and Love (depends on the context and how it is used)

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Dir. Wes Anderson

Red here shows the character's anger and urgency.

Orange: Lots of Energy - Warm Weather, Health, Strength, Happiness

Only God Forgives (2013), Dir. Nicholas Winding Refn

↑ Here, orange shows the strength and action of the character.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Dir. Wes Anderson

Here, orange shows joy and warm autumn weather,

Yellow: Makes scenes look sickly - Madness, Sickness, Insecurity

Donnie Darko (2001), Dir. Richard Kelly

Whiplash (2014), Dir. Damien Chazzelle

In Both of these films, yellow helps convey the madness of the characters and their declining mental health.

Green: Growth and Hope (more vibrant shades) or sickly and lifeless (more washed-out shades)

The Hunger Games (2012), Dir. Gary Ross

In this film, green not only represents the nature in the setting but also the growth and changes the character is going through as she discovers her place in society.

Blue: Cold, Depressed, Isolated - Monochromatic Blue Scenes help convey Sadness)

The Perks of Being A Wallflower (2012) Dir. Steven Chbosky

↑ The Director uses the blue wall to further convey the character's sadness more subtly.

Purple: Magical and Mysterious (Fantasy), Royalty and Wealth, or Greif and Death

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Dir. James Cameron

Purple conveys the fantastical nature of the film and its characters.

Marie Antoinette (2006), Dir. Sofia Coppola

Here, purple illustrates the royalty and status of the character.

Resources:

Color symbolism in movies: What do colors mean in film?. Color Meanings. (2022, November 5). https://www.color-meanings.com/color-symbolism-in-movies-what-do-colors-mean-in-movies/#:~:text=What%20Do%20Colors%20in%20Films%20Mean%3F%201%20Red,7%20Pink%20...%208%20Black%20...%20More%20items