Reason why technicolor in films is now impossible after fans complained about color grading in Wicked
This might explain why films don't go back to looking like they did during the 'golden age'
Ahead of Wicked’s release, some fans are already concerned about one major issue.
There are a lot of moving parts to making a film, and one massive issue can derail a whole project.
Honestly, it's a wonder films get made in the first place.
But you would think if you have a good story, solid performances, and a great costume and set design, you would keep people happy.
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Well, when it comes to Jon M. Chu’s upcoming Wicked, you would be mistaken.
While fans haven't seen much more than a few trailers, there is one thing that people aren’t happy with compared to its source material, The Wizard of Oz, and that is simply the color grading.
Speaking about this issue on social media, many fans have said the film doesn’t look as vibrant and full of life as the original did, despite us having many more tools at our disposal to gives films that perfect mood.
One Twitter user wrote: “I know modern films are afraid of color, but how the hell do you adapt WICKED, a musical based on The Wizard of Oz, a marvel of technicolor film, & make it THIS bland & muddy?
“This is your source material and yet, instead of embracing it, you actively eschew the LIFE of it all.”
Another sternly commented: “You really don't see just how drab wicked's coloring is until you turn up the saturation yourself like omg the whole marketing for this movie is pink and green whys it so dreary looking.”
Another added: “Honestly amazing that modern filmmakers can take literally any source material, including a technicolor triumph like Wicked was based on, and turn its palette so washed out and blah.
“Underexposed, undersaturated, poorly lit film and tv shows are truly a plague upon our screens.”
But what is technicolor in the first place?
Well, technicolor is defined as a series of processes used to first produce color in motion pictures. However, it is more commonly known for the end result rather than the process itself.
Technicolor films are known for their bright, bold, and saturated colors, and have been used in some of the most popular films during the Golden Age of Hollywood, 1910s to 1960s.
However, those wishing to see a return to it may be out of luck, as the process has been dead for decades due to the fact it was particularly complex, expensive, and logistically difficult to shoot in.
In response to the comments critical of Wicked, one user on Threads explained the death of the method.
They said: “We actually physically cannot do technicolor film anymore! The materials needed to do technicolor are not made anymore.
“There are ways to recreate that classic technicolor look digitally, to varying success. In 2016, The Love Witch (found on Night Flight!) attempted to do this.
“I appreciated what they were trying to do, I don't know if I would say it was super successful though.”
Here is hoping Wicked is still a brilliant film, even if the colors don’t exactly pop like the Wizard of Oz.
Topics: Film and TV, Social Media
Gerrard Kaonga