Color Of Films

We can list a number of ways how films affect the socialization process for its audience. For example, films tend to set a trend of the current fashion sense, diet patterns, technological conformity with society, etc. Also, in the 21^st century, it is wise to assume that film goers definitely have a greater appeal for color films, in addition to the other incredible effects filmmakers tend to use, like 3D technology, special effects, pyro techniques, other graphic effects, etc. But foremost, color is on top that revolutionized the film viewing experience. And now, viewing and making a color film has become a norm in the world of cinema.

Fairly recently, while watching movies, I felt that the filmmaker’s use of color also has a potential for socialization process. These days, it is not very hard to notice that different genres are color-coded. For example, the horror genre is usually has a blue color gradient; romance tends to lean towards vivid colors like yellow and red; apocalyptic genres tend to be more washed out, or have a more grunge and grainy look to them. So, where is the socialization process in this?

Horror (Blue tone): The Sixth Sense (1999), Underworld (2003)

Romance (red or warm tones): Titanic (1997)

Post/Apocalyptic (Washed out tone): Book of Eli (2010), The Road (2009)

As an audience member, after I watch these films, I tend to view reality in that manner, just like any other socialization process. Whenever I think of romance, I feel the need of red, or vivid warm colors in the scene. Hence, I can understand why a candle light meal, or gift a red rose is more appropriate for a date. Another great example, how do all of you picture a post-apocalyptic world? What color scheme pops up in your imagination? Definitely not a green environment, definitely not a plain desert either; but rather, a barren land, with a washed out texture, just like the ones they depict in the movies. In other words, films are not only influencing the ways we act and behave, but also our thought process and imagination.

Females Rock!

Because each music genre has its unique characteristics that make it easy for people to distinguish between the different types of music, rock music is no exception. When someone talks about rock music, the image of famous rock male singers instantly comes to our minds. The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Nirvana, Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, etc., all of them are famous cultural objects of rock music that have a huge fanbase culture globally. Although rock music is associated mostly with male artists, a lot of female rock singers were able to print their names on the pages of music history throughout the years. You think it’s too easy to read but too hard to believe? Let’s have an example to elaborate the validity of this point.


Who doesn’t know or love the song “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” by Arrows? You may say “No one” because you’ve listened to it a zillion times, but think about this question again. Was it this version you really liked or another one—Say, the one by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts? You may choose the original song, but you’re a one in a million people who may not choose the same as your choice. Demonstrating points with numbers and statistics always maintain the validity of a point. Jett’s cover of the song was a number-one single on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles for seven weeks. However, the original version has never been a hit on any chart.

The original version by "Arrows":



The cover version, performed by "Joan Jett & the Blackhearts":



Many sociologists and music experts said that people liked Jett’s version more because she was the first female rock singer to sing a song written and sung by an all-male rock band. Furthermore, Jett was a member of the first and famous all-girl rock band The Runaways in mid-70s, where she was only 16 years old. Having people knew all that about her, she literally drew the attention of the mass media and created a new subculture: The subculture of female rockers.

"The Runaways" performing "Cherry Bomb" in Japan, 1977:


A few examples on some of the famous contemporary female rock singers are Hayley Williams (The lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Paramore), Avril Lavigne, Pink, Orianthi, Ashlee Simpson, Amy Lee (the lead vocalist of the alternative & grunge rock band Evanescence), etc.

Above: Paramore