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Reading images – colour

Here we explore the power of colour used in film, and how it can be used to inspire descriptive writing.
The colours selected for use within a scene and the colour of the film stock itself can all have a powerful impact on what we ‘read’ from the film.

Look at these two stills from the film Between Us and Sausage below. What descriptive language could you draw out in your students’ writing? Could you add any direct speech or thought bubbles to each scene? Perhaps even create a short diary entry from the characters’ perspective.

Still from the film Between Us

Still from the film Sausage

Consider the following questions:

  • What are the predominant colours of the film?
  • How do the colours make you feel?
  • What genre or mood of film is indicated by use of the colours featured in the scene?
  • What do they have in common? Are there any marked differences?
  • Are similar colours used to convey similar meaning?

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Teaching Literacy Through Film

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life