The Use of Color in Joker: Folie à Deux

In Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to the 2019 film Joker, director Todd Phillips and cinematographer Lawrence Sher employ color as a pivotal storytelling device. The film's color palette is meticulously crafted to mirror Arthur Fleck's psychological transformation, underscore thematic elements, and enhance audience engagement. Colorist Jill Bogdanowicz plays a crucial role in executing these visual strategies, ensuring that each frame conveys the emotional and narrative complexity intended by the filmmakers.

Evolution of Color Palette Reflecting Psychological Transformation
 
The progression of Arthur Fleck's character into the Joker is visually represented through a deliberate shift in the film's color scheme. Initially, the narrative is enveloped in muted, desaturated tones that evoke a sense of bleakness and despair, mirroring Arthur's marginalized existence and internal turmoil. As the story unfolds and Arthur embraces his Joker persona, the color palette transitions to more vibrant and saturated hues. This shift signifies his personal transformation and immerses the audience in his altered perception of reality. The intentional use of color grading in these sequences enhances the emotional resonance, allowing viewers to experience the protagonist's escalating mania and liberation.
 
Symbolism of Red and Blue: Reality Versus Delusion
 
The strategic use of red and blue throughout the film serves to delineate the boundaries between reality and delusion. Red often symbolizes events grounded in Arthur's actual experiences, while blue denotes his hallucinations or distorted recollections. Scenes where red and blue coexist suggest Arthur's confusion and inability to distinguish between what is real and what is imagined. This color theory offers insight into the protagonist's fractured psyche and challenges the audience to question the authenticity of the narrative presented.
 
Integration of Musical Sequences and Enhanced Color Separation
 
Joker: Folie à Deux incorporates musical elements that are accentuated through distinct color grading techniques. Bogdanowicz collaborated closely with the filmmakers to develop a custom Look-Up Table (LUT) that accommodated the film's diverse visual requirements. The musical numbers exhibit heightened color separation and vibrancy, distinguishing them from the more somber, realistic scenes. This visual differentiation not only underscores the fantastical nature of these sequences but also reflects Arthur's escapism and descent into his own imaginative world.
 
Emulating the Filmic Look with Digital Tools
 
Despite being shot digitally, Sher and Bogdanowicz aimed to replicate the rich, organic quality of celluloid film. To achieve this, they developed an expanded Show LUT tailored specifically for the project. This custom LUT served as a foundational tool, mapping the digital footage's color space to emulate the nuanced tonal range and color characteristics of traditional film stock. Bogdanowicz emphasized the importance of this approach, stating, "He [Sher] always wants to maintain the quality of 'roundness' that cinematographers talk about when they talk about the look of the film."
 
Advanced Color Grading Techniques
 
Bogdanowicz's color grading process extended beyond the application of the custom LUT. She employed advanced techniques to enhance the visual storytelling:
 
- Selective Color Adjustments: By isolating specific hues within a scene, Bogdanowicz manipulated colors to draw attention to particular elements or convey subtle emotional cues. This technique allowed for a more immersive audience experience, aligning visual emphasis with narrative intent.
- Contrast and Exposure Manipulation: Adjusting contrast and exposure levels helped sculpt the image's depth and dimensionality. By fine-tuning these parameters, Bogdanowicz achieved a balance between the film's darker themes and its visual allure.
- Texture and Grain Addition: To further emulate the tactile feel of film, digital grain was introduced strategically. This addition contributed to the 'roundness' and organic quality that Sher and Bogdanowicz aimed for, bridging the gap between digital clarity and filmic texture.
 
Influence of Cinematic Inspirations and Color Theories
 
The film's color strategies draw inspiration from renowned cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, known for his expressive use of color to convey character psychology and thematic depth. By adopting similar techniques, Joker: Folie à Deux utilizes color as a narrative tool to depict complex identity struggles and emotional states. The interplay of warm and cool tones, as well as the deliberate contrasts and harmonies within the color palette, serve to evoke specific moods and guide the audience's interpretation of the unfolding drama.
 
Collaborative Dynamics and Artistic Vision
 
The synergy between Sher and Bogdanowicz was instrumental in realizing the film's visual narrative. Their shared vision for a filmic aesthetic required continuous dialogue and experimentation. Bogdanowicz's role extended beyond technical execution; she contributed artistically, interpreting the emotional and psychological layers of the story through color. This collaborative process ensured that each frame resonated with the intended mood and thematic undertones.
 
Conclusion
 
In Joker: Folie à Deux, color transcends its traditional role as a mere visual element, becoming an integral component of storytelling that reflects character evolution, delineates reality from illusion, and enhances thematic expression. Through custom LUTs, selective color adjustments, and texture enhancements, Bogdanowicz and the cinematographic team crafted a film that is visually immersive and emotionally resonant. Their meticulous attention to color grading enriches the narrative complexity and offers viewers a profound visual experience that mirrors the protagonist's tumultuous journey.
 
You can learn more about Jill Bogdanowicz in this excellent interview by colorist and educator Cullen Kelly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJZQY6W4LyY