HUM/150 Team B
Week 3 Learning Team Assignment
Color-vs-Black and White Study
Spider-Man 2 and The Maltese Falcon

Introduction

Our assignment this week was to compare the effects of color versus black-and-white in films. Learning Team B selected Spider-Man 2 as the color film, and The Maltese Falcon as the black-and-white film.

While referencing the influence of color and black-and-white imagery, we will examine the following topics:

How color or black-and-white…
• Contributed to the expression of each film
• Influenced the atmosphere of the films
• Affected characterization
• Provided transitional changes
• Helped mirror the director’s intent

Expression
Maltese Falcon
Shot in black and white this film depends on the use of multiple elements to attain the desired emotional response and reaction to the characters and the plot of the story. The use of lighting to obtain physical shadow, create depth, and establish area and time are very important but lighting is also used to indicate darker or lighter moods and situations. Black & white is a great contribution to the expression of this story, it has layers and shades of grey that add to the overall enjoyment of watching this movie.

Spider-Man 2
This movie portrays a comic book superhero and is shot in bright, bold, sometimes exaggerated colors to obtain this effect. It has moments of lightness with cooler coloring and lighting for a few romantic and comical scenes but for the most part the coloring is very bright (to highlight action, astonishment, and awe) or dark to indicate evil, defeat, or hopelessness, as when Peter Parker was in the alley and decided he would give up his calling to be Spiderman. The colors and use of them in this movie were very effective and were integral in the overall expression of the picture.

Atmosphere
Maltese Falcon

Atmosphere in a movie is created by a combination of elements including the setting, sounds, special effects, music, coloration, and of course the characters and actors playing them.
Atmosphere In the Maltese Falcon:
The setting was mostly indoor, typical for the actual time period the movie was made hotel rooms, PI office, and Sam Spade’s small efficiency apartment.
Outdoor light filtering in for neutral scenes, more harsh direct light and more use of shadowing for action and confrontational scenes.
Sounds were primarily occasional background noises, phones ringing, and sound effects of different actions from the characters
The special effects were primarily very good use of shadowing to create moods surrounding different scenes for a desired effect.
The music was intense to provide the necessary air of tension when something was about to happen or be revealed.
The characters were dishonest and suspicious of one another with constant reveals to cause further distrust. The overall effect and atmosphere created was “shady” which is the direction the audience was supposed to be lead.

Spider-Man 2
The city was very metropolitan, with occasions of very intense coloring to accomplish a comic book effect, especially for the superhero and villain.
Sounds were exaggerated to spike the action and tension taking place on screen. There were many uses of brightly colored explosions, chases, altercations with destruction of large structures; all had very good accompanying sound effects.
Special effects included extensive computer generated imagery (CGI) as part of the human characters, their actions and abilities, as well as the settings, scenery, and action series.
Music soundtrack was a combination of various artists’ songs and music that are compatible in content and tempo to the action taking place on screen. This was interspersed with orchestral arrangements that heightened the tension for the major action scenes giving it a sense of chaos, anxiety and urgency.
The characters personalities and personal agendas were revealed and adjusted with the events of the plot. The overall atmosphere created was one of mystery, adventure, action, and the struggle between good and evil.

Characterization
Maltese Falcon
The film used shadowing provided by location, clothing, and external lighting to dictate the type of character. Sam Spade was often shown in a high-contrast light, with deep shadowing on his face while the female characters were presented in even light with no facial shadowing, implying an innocent and helpless character. The female characters were also dressed in lighter clothing while the men all were dressed in dark suits.

Spider-Man 2
Being a film based on a comic book character, color plays a vital role in characterization. The film utilized dull and muted tones when showing the office of the Daily Bugle, this gives us the impression of an unexciting and dreary work environment. The main character of the film, Spider-Man, dons his standard red, white, and blue costume; this supports the illusion of the great American hero. When Spider-Man’s nemesis, Doc Ock is in a scene, the colors grow dark and shadowy; giving the eerie impression of the unknown.

Transitional Changes
Maltese Falcon
The editing techniques for Black-and-White film The Maltese Falcon was the usage of cut transitions of which is the most common form of transition. Fade technique which fades a scene into black or white and gives the concept of time that has passed. Dissolve technique was also used in The Maltese Falcon to create a connection between two different scenes.

Spider-Man 2

The cut technique is used when the scenes transition from Peter Parker changing into Spiderman. Dissolve technique when moving from one scene to the next and connecting the images from each scene when going from the scene where Mary Jane and Peter Parker are at a café and Doctor Octopus arrives. During the fighting scenes the editing techniques used is cross-cutting to see the action occurring from both sides.

Directors Intent
Maltese Falcon

During his preparation for The Maltese Falcon, first-time director John Huston planned each second of the film to the very last detail, tailoring the screenplay with instructions to himself for a shot-for-shot setup, with sketches for every scene, so filming could proceed fluently and professionally. Huston was adamant that the film keep to schedule, and that everything be methodically planned to the fullest to ensure that the film never went over budget.
The extent and efficacy of his preparation of the script was so thorough that almost no line of dialog was eliminated in the final edit of the film. In 1942 the Maltese Falcon was nominated for 3 Oscars, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Picture, and Best Writing, Screenplay for John Huston himself. The picture didn’t win any Oscars but Mr. Huston accomplished what he set out to do, and that was to make a great low budget film with good actors. Humphrey Bogart went on to become one of the greatest mystery film actors and the Maltese Falcon some would dispute as the best all time classic noir (Black and White mystery movie) with great performances and perfect plot. Who could forget a film where a lot of the lines were considered quotable (i.e. “When you’re slapped, you’ll take it and like it!”)

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man embodies the heroics created by Stan Lee who had graced the popular Marvel Comics to become a comic icon as a crime-buster - and now this sequel to the original film further increases the fanaticism.
A good touch-up from the first spider man which I thought was good but Spiderman 2 is a definite improvement from the original Spiderman in all areas, it is obvious the graphics have been touched up, more stunts have been added and a much better storyline.
Better than the first film. "Leaps and bounds" better, as some critics have said. I find it far more complex, more exciting, and more playful than the original. And while I'm on the subject of complexity, I have to mention maybe one of the greatest superhero villain creations of all time: Doctor Octavius (Doc Ock). The writing and concept behind his character, is really the strength of the film. This Spiderman movie brings me back to my child hood days of the Marvel comics, what graphics and animation. Do they still sell these comics?

Conclusion

Conclusion
Our assignment this week was to compare the effects of color versus black-and-white in films. Learning Team B selected Spider-Man 2 as the color film, and The Maltese Falcon as the black-and-white film.
Each Team member provided valuable input to this project on the following topics:
How color or black-and-white…
• Contributed to the expression of each film
• Influenced the atmosphere of the films
• Affected characterization
• Provided transitional changes
• Helped mirror the director's intent
Comparing films with different styles during different eras isn’t easy but we took on the challenge and hope that our PowerPoint Presentation shows the level of effort that Team B is presenting. Having done this exercise we have developed a new look at how we view films and to what length directors will go to get the audience to see their work as intended.