Black & White or not.....

[Ivansideways]

Currently some folk and I are working on a script.Locations are done,Actors are almost gathered and equipment has been rounded up.One thing that is still bothering me though is I wish the film to be black andd white where as the others do not.I am directing and I already see the scenes in my head as Black and white.I worked once on a really no budget haunted house short flick ,although shot OK,the colour picture just did not suit,I have no idea why I think this I just do.No one else seemed to think so.Maybe I just want everything in Black & White.I love lighting things funny in my still phtography that only works well in B&W and I would like to try it out in Film.Does anyone have any suggesstions or opinions on the matter.I would like to hear some.Does B&W have it's place in new Horror?

[Hal_Delrich]

If you're the director and the producer, and you have anything to do with the budget, it's your call, you're the director, make it in b&w, I'm currently making a film in b&w, and once everyone gets far into the film, they'll forget its b&w, go with your feelings on how YOU see the film, screw the actors and prop guys or whatever these other guys are.

[FilthyCannibal]

absolutely black and white movies still have a place. Black and white gives atmosphere to a movie. It's the same way with older color movies that look "grainy". The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was in color, but it had the gritty vibe to it. Too many movies today are colored and glossy. Look at any Dimension movie recently. None of them seem to have any extra quality just because they have color.

[Ivansideways]

"If you're the director and the producer, and you have anything to do with the budget, it's your call, you're the director, make it in b&w, I'm currently making a film in b&w, and once everyone gets far into the film, they'll forget its b&w, go with your feelings on how YOU see the film, screw the actors and prop guys or whatever these other guys are."

Yeah I think I'll take your advice on that one.You said you are currently making film in B&W.Are you using film or video?Have you any tips on filters.
I am also going to be doing alot of filming at night or at least for night mostly outside.where I am from in Ireland it can get really black at night virtually no light and I hope to use that but I know it will be difficult.From still photo experience it comes out much better in B&W than colour,do you think its the same for film.Any techniques.

Funny story about the first time I seen Texas Chainsaw Massacre.I got a copy,illegally as it was banned here,when I was about 14 and watched it.It was NTSC and we have PAL here, so for years I thought it was B&W and thought that it looked great until it was released here to find it was colour but it still looked great.Actually come to think of it,its not really that funny.

[Hal_Delrich]

funny in a funny "what the hell?" kinda way....

[Delfino]

B & W most definitly man, I know you made your mind up with help from these other guys, which is cool.
Even if you get over-ruled and people threaten to go on strike and really petty stuff over such a factor as colour...do it in colour...however if you're putting it on dvd include a directors cut that consists of a monochrome version as well.

But as they say if its you who is the director, producer and incharge of budget, screw them its you call.

take care, man,

Good luck

Delfino

[Steve_Hutchison]

I think B&W is rarely a good pick.

[Delfino]

I think it really depends on what context its being used in, if your going with the conventions of classic horror say like if you wanted to have a "Psycho" kind of feel to it, monochrome can be used quite well to create an atmosphere, a good example of this is how it can emphasise shadows.
One of my more ambitious projects is a film noir/ gangster film which I will be starting pre-production on in the coming weeks. I have decided that I want to use monochrome because I personally think it would work well...

I suppose its all upto the director and producer what would work best, but I agree, I do not like the feel of "glossy" horror films.

anywayz, take care man :)

Delfino

[Steve_Hutchison]

I've seen A LOT of low budget horror movies shot in B&W and I've never seen it used in the right context. Mainstream movies usually do tough.

[FilthyCannibal]

Night of the Living Dead was low budget and it was great as far as the atmosphere was concerned. I don't think it would've been the same movie if it were in color

[Delfino]

I know this is a strange question, but Tarantino is supposed to be one of the most inavitive directors of our time (supposedly)...however in "Kill Bill Vol: I" there was a use of monochrome for a fight scene...any one know what kinda' effect it was supposed to create or why he did it?

The purpose of it must've gone straight over the top of my head lol

Take care guys,

Delfino

[N0Hypocrites]

Simple: The over abundance of blood would've called for an NC-17 rating. In b/w, he could get away with an 'R'. The un-cut Japanese version which will be included in the "deluxe set" of DVDs will have the entire color version. Ever notice with all the heads and limbs cut off in 'Evil Dead 2: Dead Before Dawn' it still pulled down an 'R' rating ? Simple. Different colored blood for different scenes (ie. green, yellow, etc). Same thing when chopping up monsters in graphic detail rather than people in a film. No one cares that a monster gets his head removed. A person on the other hand.... It's all politics, guys.
CK

[Delfino]

Ah I getcha'...same thing with video games I'm thinking as well. With games like "Carmageddon 2" they call the people "Zombies" yet their blood and the reactions to the speeding-custom-car approaching at like 100mph is nothing less than human...

I thought maybe it was Tarantino being creative for whatever reason, as over here (in the UK) it was given an 18 certificate...lower than that is 15, then 12, then PG, then U. So its hard to distinguish why exactly he did it.

Oh well lol.

I'm making a silent-short in the coming months, aimed at being more comedic than horrific but it will have its moments..lol

Take care guys, thanks for the reply :)

Delfino

[N0Hypocrites]

'Carmageddon 2' is still my favorite game LOL. Good luck with your film. I'm trying to get a cast and crew together myself for a black and white film as well to shoot this Nov/Dec based on an old time Chicago ghost legend.
CK

[Sam The Egg]

here's what you should do: Film it in colour. Then, in editing, filter it to be black and white. That way, you can switch back and forth from colour and B&W before you finish it, and you can see which one you like best

[ADOM]

Originally posted by Sam The Egg
here's what you should do: Film it in colour. Then, in editing, filter it to be black and white. That way, you can switch back and forth from colour and B&W before you finish it, and you can see which one you like best

I agree if you are shooting on video, do not remove the color information in camera. There is no point and you can always filter it later. Same if you are shooting on film, but plan on editing digitally and outputting from the digital edit. However, if you are shooting 16mm or something like that, I would go with the Black and White film stock. The differences in contrast will be different than if you simpley filter it.

We just had a review of THE LUNAR PACK DVD (http://www.hocfocprod.com/Cryingwolf.htm) , a collection of three shorts. One was filtered to B&W and shot with very low light. The reviewer really did not like this. It was in reference to old 40's style detective films. I always got a kick out of those and I was acting in this movie, so I made it like that. (I had just seen Laura on TCM, I think).

Anyway, our latest reviewer liked this film least because of it's "poor lighting". Another reviewer liked it best because of it's moody dark lighting and shadows. So the real question is, are you willing to take criticism from a lot of people to see your vision on the screen. It was easy for us, because we had two color movies to bookend this one. It helped get us a marginal review from the people who did not go for the Black and White.

Best of Luck