Computer science meets cinema: University of Waterloo researchers closely analyze colour in films
It's not a pairing you'd expect – computer science and cinema.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo and Carleton University are closely analyzing the colour used in films to learn more about them.
The team looked at more than 29,000 North American movie trailers from 1960 to 2019. Using a technique called k-means clustering, they extract the dominant colours from each trailer to create a colour palette. And it's those colour palettes that show there's more than meets the eye when it comes to colour in films.
"One interesting trend we observed is colour sort of leaking out of films over the years," said Andreea Pocol, a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Waterloo.
"It's not to say individual films don't use it. But, on a whole, those vibrant greens and oranges have disappeared," says Lesley Istead, adjunct assistant professor of computer science at Waterloo and assistant professor at the Carleton School of Information Technology.
They found specific colours are favoured in certain genres too. Horror, action and adventure films often use darker, grittier tones.
"Things like O Brother, Where Art Thou? Wonderful movie, the colour in it is very muted and sepia-toned. You remember that," Istead said.
Researchers point to the idea that colour could eventually find its way into streaming service suggestions too. They say that's because colour says a lot about the type of movie someone wants to watch.
"What if colour could be part of the recommendation for you? We see you like horror movies, we're observing all the horror movies you watch that have these colours. Here are some others that are similar," says Istead.
There is a much-anticipated sequel to this study, which is determining whether a movie might be a blockbuster or a flop.
"And we think colour might play a role in this, and that's where this research is headed," Istead said.
Pocol pointed to some examples where colour caters to specific audiences.
"Kids prefer more colourful movies. If you want a profitable movie, add a lot of strong, bright, saturated colours. Maybe adults prefer the more muted colour palettes," Pocol says.
It's these findings that could change the film industry forever. For directors, film production companies and even the average viewer, it helps paint a clearer picture of a motion picture.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.