Entry 45: How Do Images Convey Mood?

Bright colors give out a more energetic and happier feeling. They attract the eyes. Not as saturated colors are not as emotional and can sometimes seem depressing. Darker colors look heavier and give people more pressure, while light colors generally make people relaxed. CSI the TV series and its spin-offs have very different approaches to the audience through their colors. CSI: Vegas uses dark colors and the setting is often at night. It creates a more ominous mood and emphasizes the dark and frantic, often sickly planned crimes. CSI: Miami always has bright, warm colors to mimic the weather in Florida. CSI: NY is set in grayish colors that depict the coldness of a big city. Sounds are really effective tools for creating moods. During the Christmas Break I spent in Seattle I went to see this exhibition on horror movies. The show talked about the importance of scores, or background music, in movies. Generally harmonic, slow, and light sounds are more appealing to the ears. Sounds that are faster, heavier, and have a certain amount of noise are more disturbing. Also, familiar sounds are more soothing than strange sounds. Last week I checked out this musician called Lustmord. He produces extremely dark and terrifying ambient music. His music has a lot of weird, stretched sounds accompanied by quiet but ominous noises. I'm often amazed at how certain songs can drive me into goosebumps and tears while others have no effect at all, or cheer me up, or freak me out. Sometimes they even create clear images in my head.