Why Are Films Still in Black and White Today? 

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   There is a common misconception that when films were just starting to be made there wasn't the option of having color in film, however that was never the case, and the best way to understand why films are still made in black in white today is to understand why they weren't colored before. 

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   Dating back to the 1920’s when the most common type of filmmaking was a black and white style, although it was a more difficult and time consuming concept, color was always an option for those who wanted it. The process involved painstakingly coloring every frame by hand where color was desired. Because the process was so tedious and time consuming, as well as requiring a larger budget, most films stuck to the black and white style. This does not mean that there was a lack of creativity. Filmmakers worked within their limits and learned how to use the black and white style to their advantage creating unique storytelling techniques. When filmmakers wanted to emphasize and highlight a certain scene they used color to contrast from the usual black and white. When colored film became a much easier process, the production of black and white films did not end there. There were so many established techniques and styles that filmmakers preferred. However, it did become more common to use the black and white style for specific genres like horror or mystery films. The cinematography of a black and white film was better suited for these genres. It all depended on the tone and atmosphere that filmmakers wanted to achieve. 

 

   Nowadays, the large majority of modern films are colored films. There has been a sort of reverse effect, where now black and white is used to contrast against the common colored film .Films like, The Lighthouse (Robbert Eggars), Roma (Alfonso Cuarón), The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius), and Ed Wood (Tim Burton), are examples of modern films which use the black and white style to more effectively immerse the audience into the story. It isn't that filmmakers were limited to black and white films therefore only made black and white films, its that color in film wasn't seen as a necessity to create great films and so it wasn't added without a specific purpose. The black and white film never left and is still used today as stylistic choice the same way color was used as a stylistic choice before. If a film doesn't require color and creates the desired work without it, it won't be used. Both colored and black and white films are opportunities for filmmakers to create something great. 

 

   The next time there is a black and white film playing in theaters, don't shy away from it thinking the lack of color will take away from the experience, give it a chance to prove that black and white along with the infinite shades in between add a richness and authenticity to the film that couldn't otherwise be achieved through the use of color.

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~Paloma Ixta

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