Fascinating... and very subtle. I don't think I would have noticed this, even though I thought I was quite aware of the messages of colour-use in film - Wes Anderson and Stanley Kubrick spring to mind. A couple of personal favourites (but far less subtle). - The time lines in Christopher Nolan's Memento - when you get what he's doing, it all starts making sense. - And Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth... moving from the brutal blues and greys of real life in the Spanish Civil war to the soft colours of the fantasy world, until they all get mixed up ... gives the film another psychological dimension. I never saw this TV series, but this is a good prod from you - it looks to be worth a dive. But I have a feeling the points you make in this video will affect the way I watch everything.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for the kind words. I think you'll really love the show (and its older brother, Breaking Bad, too). Both are arguably some of the best-written, best-acted and all-around best-made shows of all time. Nolan's use of colour in Memento is indeed a fantastic example (same goes for Oppenheimer). I wouldn't be surprised if the use of black and white in Memento served as inspiration for what the team behind Better Call Saul did here. Del Toro's use of colour in Pan's Labyrinth isn't one I noticed, but admittedly, it's been a few years since I've watched it, so perhaps I need to revisit that one. The Grand Budapest Hotel is definitely one of my favourite examples of Wes Anderson's whimsical use of colour. However, I am ashamed to admit that I haven't studied Kubrick's work enough to comment here - this is something I have been planning to rectify for some time, so I will have more to say on this soon! One film that stood out for me recently-easily one of the best films I've seen in the last year-is Past Lives. This has an extremely subtle but skilful use of colour in its visual storytelling that I really enjoyed. I'm currently writing a video on this film and I actually may end up mentioning this colour use. I definitely recommend watching it if you haven't yet. It's beautiful.
Thanks for pointing out these examples from season 1! I just rewatched the first few episodes under covid quarantine, so now I appreciate them even more.
An absolute pleasure, Eran. Thank you for watching. I hope your recovery is quick. Hopefully, you’ll get some more episodes of BCS in before you’re back to 100% 😂 let me know when you spot some of the other interesting colour uses 👏🏽
It's nothing less than a true work of art, a masterpiece. One of my observations: in one episode Jimmy asks Mike "how did we get here?" then exits Mike's car. In the wide shot that follows, two skaters can be seen goofing around near an intersection in the distance. Little gems like that make watching this show again more than worth it. Hadn't picked up on the blue/red/yellow thing though. Thx
My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching. And yes, S5 Ep 9 (Bad Choice Road) is the conversation you’re referring to, right? Honestly, I hadn’t clocked the skaters in the background, so thanks for the heads up there. Are you thinking this is a callback to the skater twins in S1, Ep 1/2? You could be onto something 😉
@@luke.hoffman Well, it's like you said: nothing on screen is there for no reason. (Eventhough it seems like it is) So when I saw that scene for the 2nd time it occurred to me. There's just so many of little gems just like that one I haven't (yet) picked up on, who knows what else we can spot. BTW: Check out the opening of 6x5: It's not just props, shots, colouring, or figurants that make BCS a masterpiece. It's also the most beautiful music you've ever heared. Or the way the song "Mi cucu" is used to introduce a new character and tells you all you need to know about him in 10 seconds (2x9)
Agreed on the music. That segment in E209 with the truck driver is indeed good, but my favourite moment with him is his introduction during the opening of E208 - this is actually some of my favourite visual storytelling in the series: no dialogue, just a cool & calm beat paired with an equally cool & calm guy (dressed in red, might I add) doing something he's clearly done a thousand times (his calmness and the shot of the many ice cream sticks telling us all we need to know here). Absolutely incredible visual storytelling. E605's opening is indeed fantastic-so ambiguous and captivating. It makes me think of the ambiguous 'blue flower in the rainy desert' opening for E603 (one of the most tragic episodes-I won't say anything else for those yet to watch 😅).
@@luke.hoffman Agreed. Forgot Hecor's driver was seen before the Mi Cucu scene. Speaking of Hector: I loved the way he was introduced with the bell on the counter. I Spotted that one before Hector entered the scene. I like to think it was my keen attention to detail, but it's probably intentionally obvious. A sort of little present to the fans of BB. Another trick like thingie I spotted today watching "Fifi": Check out the scene where Mike spies on Hector's operation. Notice the whirring sound of a peumatical tool, coming from within Hector's warehouse, coincide with the focusing of the camera (Mike's POV). As if to show Mike congering up his plan. And finally another musical gem: "Something stupid" Which sums up the entire relation between Kim and Jimmy. And even f***s***** i** e** (spoiler)
Apologies for missing your last comment here, my man. You clearly have a very good eye. The bell with Hector’s intro is definitely a lovely touch. I remember spotting it and having a nice little chuckle 😂 I always interpreted the sound of the pneumatic tool as simply Mike realising that they were hiding the money in the tyres, but I like your spin on it 👌🏽 And yes, the musical choices are just fantastic in this show. They all match up so beautifully with the themes and storytelling 👏🏽
So happy to hear it! Thank you for the support. And I totally agree-the more of the little details I notice in the things I watch the more I appreciate and enjoy them 😁 great to connect with more likeminded individuals like yourself! I’m currently working on a video covering Past Lives and some of the little details in that. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you’re into these types of analyses 🤓
Definitely ur best vid yet bro. This was so good. Very smooth edits but also great stuff on the color. I never finished better call Saul but want to now LOL. Loved breaking bad so bout time I give this show my time too. Where else can I see color used like this? I wanna say Dune did some cool things with color. Wouldn’t be surprised because I saw your other comment about sicario. That was also Villeneuve right?
My man! Thank you for the kind words, as always. I'm glad you like the editing-I definitely had to learn some new things for this one. You should absolutely finish Better Call Saul. Maybe start it again so you can notice all the colour and cool visuals from the beginning 😉 Breaking Bad had some outstanding uses of colour, too. Did you clock them when you watched it? Dune definitely has a unique colour palette, and I believe there is a similar level of symbolism at play here, too. There seems to be a clear shift in the palettes of each world, which arguably reflects their cultural/political undertones (e.g. Caladan's bluey/green hue, Arrakis' gold/brown hue, and Giedi Prime's whites & blacks). There's also some really cool stuff with the colour blue and the Fremen (e.g., their eyes, the Water of Life, and Chani's blue headband). I think there are some themes of hope, love and purity tied to this, but I need to study it a bit more to be certain. Overall, yes, Dune did so some very cool things with colour, just like Sicario (which was indeed Villeneuve).
@@luke.hoffmanthat’s cool bro. Thank you. I noticed the hues in Dune but didn’t pick up on the point about the all the blue. Seems quite obvious now you mention it lol. Will watch it again when it’s out and see what else I pick up. Didn’t notice the colour so much in breaking bad but was planning on rewatching soon. I just read some bits on how Walt’s outfits change from light to dark. That was wicked. Will keep my eyes open for more. Thanks again for the sweet vid and the replies bro. Looking forward to the next one
Luke, what a fascinating insight into the use of colour. I would never have noticed without having watched your video. Are there other example of films, TV series where colour is used in similar ways?
Thanks, Pap! Glad you enjoyed the video-I thought you would! Truthfully, I think most (good) TV shows and films will use colour to some degree in their visual storytelling - usually on the level of associating certain colours with certain emotions (e.g. red = anger/passion/love/danger; orange = warmth; blue = coldness; etc.). But, I think the team behind Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad took it to a much more creative level and in a more transformative way, as the use of colour evolves with the characters over the course of the story. Some other interesting ones that spring to mind and that you may know are: - 'The Matrix' uses a green hue in all the scenes that take place within the Matrix to help create that association of it being a digital world, separate from the greyish, lifeless hues of the real world. - 'Sicario' has a similar use of colour to Better Call Saul: certain colours represent certain types of characters and their ideals, and the outfits of the main character, Kate, shift in colour across the film in line with her own journey throughout the story. - And a really obvious one is Star Wars-the lightsabers and also in Luke and Anakin Skywalker's outfits, which get darker and darker across their mutual journeys for fairly obvious reasons. I'm sure I'll think of some others, too. Let me know if you think of any others :D
Hi Luke, just came across your videos. This was captivating, and I've never watched the show. Guess I'll have to sub. Good luck and much success in the future. Aloha
Thanks, Michael. I really appreciate the feedback and support. Welcome to the channel! Enjoy Better Call Saul -- you'll have to come back here and let me know what you think! - Luke
So is the red in your background and bouncing off your head not the colour of criminality? What's the deal with the green on the aloe and your sweater? On a serious note, you make some great video essays. Big up.
What are some of your favourite uses of colour in Better Call Saul (or any other film/TV series)?
Fascinating... and very subtle. I don't think I would have noticed this, even though I thought I was quite aware of the messages of colour-use in film - Wes Anderson and Stanley Kubrick spring to mind.
A couple of personal favourites (but far less subtle).
- The time lines in Christopher Nolan's Memento - when you get what he's doing, it all starts making sense.
- And Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth... moving from the brutal blues and greys of real life in the Spanish Civil war to the soft colours of the fantasy world, until they all get mixed up ... gives the film another psychological dimension.
I never saw this TV series, but this is a good prod from you - it looks to be worth a dive. But I have a feeling the points you make in this video will affect the way I watch everything.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for the kind words. I think you'll really love the show (and its older brother, Breaking Bad, too). Both are arguably some of the best-written, best-acted and all-around best-made shows of all time.
Nolan's use of colour in Memento is indeed a fantastic example (same goes for Oppenheimer). I wouldn't be surprised if the use of black and white in Memento served as inspiration for what the team behind Better Call Saul did here.
Del Toro's use of colour in Pan's Labyrinth isn't one I noticed, but admittedly, it's been a few years since I've watched it, so perhaps I need to revisit that one.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is definitely one of my favourite examples of Wes Anderson's whimsical use of colour. However, I am ashamed to admit that I haven't studied Kubrick's work enough to comment here - this is something I have been planning to rectify for some time, so I will have more to say on this soon!
One film that stood out for me recently-easily one of the best films I've seen in the last year-is Past Lives. This has an extremely subtle but skilful use of colour in its visual storytelling that I really enjoyed. I'm currently writing a video on this film and I actually may end up mentioning this colour use. I definitely recommend watching it if you haven't yet. It's beautiful.
Thanks for pointing out these examples from season 1! I just rewatched the first few episodes under covid quarantine, so now I appreciate them even more.
An absolute pleasure, Eran. Thank you for watching. I hope your recovery is quick. Hopefully, you’ll get some more episodes of BCS in before you’re back to 100% 😂 let me know when you spot some of the other interesting colour uses 👏🏽
It's nothing less than a true work of art, a masterpiece.
One of my observations: in one episode Jimmy asks Mike "how did we get here?" then exits Mike's car. In the wide shot that follows, two skaters can be seen goofing around near an intersection in the distance.
Little gems like that make watching this show again more than worth it.
Hadn't picked up on the blue/red/yellow thing though. Thx
My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.
And yes, S5 Ep 9 (Bad Choice Road) is the conversation you’re referring to, right? Honestly, I hadn’t clocked the skaters in the background, so thanks for the heads up there. Are you thinking this is a callback to the skater twins in S1, Ep 1/2? You could be onto something 😉
@@luke.hoffman Well, it's like you said: nothing on screen is there for no reason. (Eventhough it seems like it is)
So when I saw that scene for the 2nd time it occurred to me.
There's just so many of little gems just like that one I haven't (yet) picked up on, who knows what else we can spot.
BTW: Check out the opening of 6x5: It's not just props, shots, colouring, or figurants that make BCS a masterpiece. It's also the most beautiful music you've ever heared.
Or the way the song "Mi cucu" is used to introduce a new character and tells you all you need to know about him in 10 seconds (2x9)
Agreed on the music. That segment in E209 with the truck driver is indeed good, but my favourite moment with him is his introduction during the opening of E208 - this is actually some of my favourite visual storytelling in the series: no dialogue, just a cool & calm beat paired with an equally cool & calm guy (dressed in red, might I add) doing something he's clearly done a thousand times (his calmness and the shot of the many ice cream sticks telling us all we need to know here). Absolutely incredible visual storytelling.
E605's opening is indeed fantastic-so ambiguous and captivating. It makes me think of the ambiguous 'blue flower in the rainy desert' opening for E603 (one of the most tragic episodes-I won't say anything else for those yet to watch 😅).
@@luke.hoffman Agreed. Forgot Hecor's driver was seen before the Mi Cucu scene.
Speaking of Hector: I loved the way he was introduced with the bell on the counter. I Spotted that one before Hector entered the scene. I like to think it was my keen attention to detail, but it's probably intentionally obvious. A sort of little present to the fans of BB.
Another trick like thingie I spotted today watching "Fifi":
Check out the scene where Mike spies on Hector's operation. Notice the whirring sound of a peumatical tool, coming from within Hector's warehouse, coincide with the focusing of the camera (Mike's POV). As if to show Mike congering up his plan.
And finally another musical gem: "Something stupid" Which sums up the entire relation between Kim and Jimmy. And even f***s***** i** e** (spoiler)
Apologies for missing your last comment here, my man. You clearly have a very good eye. The bell with Hector’s intro is definitely a lovely touch. I remember spotting it and having a nice little chuckle 😂
I always interpreted the sound of the pneumatic tool as simply Mike realising that they were hiding the money in the tyres, but I like your spin on it 👌🏽
And yes, the musical choices are just fantastic in this show. They all match up so beautifully with the themes and storytelling 👏🏽
That’s point you make about Jimmy’s car having a red door is very interesting
Thanks, Joe. I’m glad you liked it! And thank you for the comment 👍🏽
- Luke
I was on an episode of Talking Saul and got to meet Peter Gould! It was the best moment of the my liiiife.
Also great video
That's incredible. I'm extremely jealous! Which episode were you on?
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you enjoyed the video.
- Luke
Amazing video! Thank you for your analysis! I adore such insights and little details that I have missed, they make me love this show even more :)
So happy to hear it! Thank you for the support. And I totally agree-the more of the little details I notice in the things I watch the more I appreciate and enjoy them 😁 great to connect with more likeminded individuals like yourself!
I’m currently working on a video covering Past Lives and some of the little details in that. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you’re into these types of analyses 🤓
Utterly brilliant insight. I will watch things with more awareness in the future. Thank you for teaching me new things. 😊👏🏽
My pleasure. Thank you for watching!
Definitely ur best vid yet bro. This was so good. Very smooth edits but also great stuff on the color. I never finished better call Saul but want to now LOL. Loved breaking bad so bout time I give this show my time too. Where else can I see color used like this? I wanna say Dune did some cool things with color. Wouldn’t be surprised because I saw your other comment about sicario. That was also Villeneuve right?
My man! Thank you for the kind words, as always. I'm glad you like the editing-I definitely had to learn some new things for this one.
You should absolutely finish Better Call Saul. Maybe start it again so you can notice all the colour and cool visuals from the beginning 😉 Breaking Bad had some outstanding uses of colour, too. Did you clock them when you watched it?
Dune definitely has a unique colour palette, and I believe there is a similar level of symbolism at play here, too. There seems to be a clear shift in the palettes of each world, which arguably reflects their cultural/political undertones (e.g. Caladan's bluey/green hue, Arrakis' gold/brown hue, and Giedi Prime's whites & blacks). There's also some really cool stuff with the colour blue and the Fremen (e.g., their eyes, the Water of Life, and Chani's blue headband). I think there are some themes of hope, love and purity tied to this, but I need to study it a bit more to be certain.
Overall, yes, Dune did so some very cool things with colour, just like Sicario (which was indeed Villeneuve).
@@luke.hoffmanthat’s cool bro. Thank you. I noticed the hues in Dune but didn’t pick up on the point about the all the blue. Seems quite obvious now you mention it lol. Will watch it again when it’s out and see what else I pick up. Didn’t notice the colour so much in breaking bad but was planning on rewatching soon. I just read some bits on how Walt’s outfits change from light to dark. That was wicked. Will keep my eyes open for more. Thanks again for the sweet vid and the replies bro. Looking forward to the next one
Luke, what a fascinating insight into the use of colour. I would never have noticed without having watched your video. Are there other example of films, TV series where colour is used in similar ways?
Thanks, Pap! Glad you enjoyed the video-I thought you would!
Truthfully, I think most (good) TV shows and films will use colour to some degree in their visual storytelling - usually on the level of associating certain colours with certain emotions (e.g. red = anger/passion/love/danger; orange = warmth; blue = coldness; etc.). But, I think the team behind Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad took it to a much more creative level and in a more transformative way, as the use of colour evolves with the characters over the course of the story.
Some other interesting ones that spring to mind and that you may know are:
- 'The Matrix' uses a green hue in all the scenes that take place within the Matrix to help create that association of it being a digital world, separate from the greyish, lifeless hues of the real world.
- 'Sicario' has a similar use of colour to Better Call Saul: certain colours represent certain types of characters and their ideals, and the outfits of the main character, Kate, shift in colour across the film in line with her own journey throughout the story.
- And a really obvious one is Star Wars-the lightsabers and also in Luke and Anakin Skywalker's outfits, which get darker and darker across their mutual journeys for fairly obvious reasons.
I'm sure I'll think of some others, too. Let me know if you think of any others :D
Very good video man!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😁
- Luke
Hi Luke, just came across your videos. This was captivating, and I've never watched the show. Guess I'll have to sub. Good luck and much success in the future. Aloha
Thanks, Michael. I really appreciate the feedback and support. Welcome to the channel!
Enjoy Better Call Saul -- you'll have to come back here and let me know what you think!
- Luke
So is the red in your background and bouncing off your head not the colour of criminality? What's the deal with the green on the aloe and your sweater? On a serious note, you make some great video essays. Big up.
I can’t believe I missed this comment! 😂 Well played, sir. Well played.
Thank you for the kind words and support. It’s much appreciated 👊🏽
- Luke
I’m still sad we won’t be seeing you anymore on the fitness scene
Well, you can find me on here still 😉
I hope you enjoy the videos!
865 views for this video is criminal
😅 I’m glad you enjoyed it, though! Thank you for the support.
- Luke