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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.