La La Land: Using Color | VIDEO ESSAY

Summary

In this detailed analysis of *La La Land*, the use of color is explored as a narrative device that enhances the emotional depth of the story. Primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—reflect the characters' separation, with each color symbolizing their individual identities. As their relationship evolves, these colors begin to blend, symbolizing their connection. The final scenes emphasize how Hollywood's vibrant glamour contrasts with the authenticity and emotional warmth of real life, underlining the film’s message about the imperfection of love and the complexity of dreams in the pursuit of success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The cinematography of *La La Land* is visually stunning, using primary colors to symbolize various emotional and narrative aspects of the story.
• 😀 The color palette is vibrant and symbolic, with primary colors (red, yellow, blue) representing the distance and independence of Mia and Sebastian early on in the film.
• 😀 *La La Land*'s use of primary colors emphasizes the characters' individual paths, with Mia more associated with Hollywood's glamour and Sebastian staying true to his artistic roots.
• 😀 The pool party scene, where Sebastian wears red and Mia wears yellow, highlights the separation between them at the beginning of their relationship.
• 😀 As the relationship progresses, the film's color palette shifts towards more balanced tones, such as purple, which reflects their growing emotional connection.
• 😀 The use of neutral and darker tones during the characters' rock-bottom moments emphasizes their emotional distance and personal struggles.
• 😀 In the final scenes, the increasing prominence of red, blue, and yellow symbolizes the heightened emotional stakes and the disconnection in their relationship.
• 😀 The color choices in *La La Land* reflect Hollywood's superficiality and glamor, with the separation of primary colors illustrating the lack of authenticity in the industry's representation of life.
• 😀 The final montage contrasts the earlier bright colors with moments of deeper emotional resonance, symbolizing that true connection lies beyond surface-level appearances.
• 😀 The film’s color scheme acts as a metaphor for the story's central theme: behind every vibrant color lies complex emotions that may not be immediately apparent, echoing the complexities of the characters' lives.

Q & A

Why was the Oscar win for Best Cinematography in 'La La Land' initially confusing to the speaker?

The speaker was initially confused because while 'La La Land' was an obvious contender for Best Director and Best Picture, the Best Cinematography award seemed unnecessary, as they believed 'Arrival' deserved it more.

What realization did the speaker have after returning to the theater to watch 'La La Land' again?

Upon rewatching the film, the speaker realized that the use of color in 'La La Land' told a story of its own, highlighting how the vibrant colors contributed to the film's cinematography, ultimately proving its worth for the Best Cinematography award.

What specific colors does the speaker highlight in 'La La Land' and what do they symbolize?

The speaker highlights the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue. These colors symbolize the separation between the protagonists, Mia and Sebastian, at the start of the movie, reflecting their different personalities and approaches to Hollywood.

How does the speaker interpret the use of primary colors during the pool party scene?

In the pool party scene, the speaker notes that Sebastian is dressed in red and Mia in yellow, emphasizing the visual separation between the two characters, symbolizing their differences and the lack of connection at that moment.

What change in color palette does the speaker observe during the famous tap dancing scene?

During the tap dancing scene, the speaker notices that the primary colors are mixed together, with purple becoming the dominant color. This shift symbolizes a sense of warmth and connection between Mia and Sebastian, marking an important moment in their relationship.

What does the color transition signify in the scene where Sebastian performs with his new band?

In this scene, the speaker observes that the primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—are more pronounced again, but with less connection to Mia, signaling the growing distance and disconnection between the two characters as their relationship deteriorates.

How does the color palette reflect the changing dynamics of Mia and Sebastian’s relationship throughout the film?

The speaker points out that as the relationship progresses, the color palette shifts to reflect their emotional states. When they are connected, colors mix harmoniously, but as their relationship falters, the colors become more isolated, representing the emotional distance between them.

What message does the speaker believe the final scene conveys through the use of color?

The final scene uses contrasting colors like red, blue, and black and white to represent the bittersweet nature of Mia and Sebastian's relationship. The speaker interprets the colors as a metaphor for Hollywood’s superficial glamour, which lacks authenticity, in contrast to the real emotions behind their relationship.

How does the speaker interpret the relationship between color and authenticity in 'La La Land'?

The speaker suggests that Hollywood's perfectionist, glamorous façade is depicted through the bright, primary colors, while the warmth and authenticity of real life are symbolized by the blending of these colors, which reflect the deeper emotions of the characters.

Does the speaker believe the use of color was intentional, and why?

The speaker acknowledges that while the color choices could be coincidental, they believe director Damien Chazelle intentionally used color to play with emotions and themes, especially given his background with color in films like 'Whiplash.'