summer blockbuster look...meh

[James B.]

Hi
Can someone please explain the popularity of the so called 'summer blockbuster look'? To me it's such a limited color palette, orangish skin tones and everything else has a teal cast...

 

[Paolo Tinari]

Hey,
that's summer 2010 look!

 

[Andrew Luczenczyn]

Dont forget the blown out highlights and occasional lensflare!

 

[Martin Stevens]

Apparently crushed blacks and clipped highlights are a popular post trick these days.

I severely dislike the look.

 

[ericyoung]

http://theabyssgazes.blogspot.com/2010/03/teal-and-orange-hollywood-please-stop.html

 

[Ben Holmes]

The look is popular because the color casts used are on the same axis of the colour wheel as the pinks in skin tones. This means coloring can be pushed hard for agressive effect without looking immediately unnatural for the viewer. The look has developed over a number of years - and has probably reached it's nadir with the likes of Transformers and (on the bleached end of the spectrum) films like Terminator Salvation.

Whilst the desire of filmmakers to create new looks will probably lead anyway to a backlash away from the look to some extent, the ease with which the look can be achieved in a heavily stylised film will probably keep it around forever - simple color theory dictates it...

 

[James B.]

Yeah...didn't realize how it was done until watching a tutorial by Stu Maschwitz of Red Giant software. He explains the complementary color theory behind it as well. I'm just a novice when it comes to grading, but what I find exciting is coming up with your own looks in Resolve, Color or Colorista, using NOT other films for inspiration, but old photos such as the Library of Congress stuff on flickr


http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/sets/72157603671370361/