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The Design Inspirationalist

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The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: fantasy

Color in FIlms: Oz The Great and Powerful

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films, Color Inspiration

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blue, clouds, color, color palette, dark gray, emerald green, fantasy, film, flying monkeys, landscape, nature, oz, Oz The Great and Powerful, palette, Sam Raimi, sky, the wizard of oz, wicked witch, woods

I recently saw Oz The Great and Powerful and my excitement was seriously justified. I was in awe of the characters and art direction and simply loved the story. What a beautiful and mesmerizing film, to say the least. Director Sam Raimi did a fantastic job at capturing the beauty, amazement, and fantasy of Oz and all that it encompasses. I was highly intrigued and surprised as the story unfolded.

The film tells the tale of how the great Oz came to be. Oscar Diggs, a man who once was a sideshow magician and conman, becomes a strong leader and caring individual. Learning of the good that had always remained inside him, he takes on a journey that even he can’t believe. Landing in Oz, by way of tornado, he meets various characters that will soon become his friends. From flying monkeys and fairies that bite to porcelain dolls from chinatown, this film will truly keep you wanting more.

The landscape itself is a main character. With its vibrant hues and unique personality, the land of Oz comes alive right before your eyes. I wish I could go there just for a day to witness the true magic it clearly has. It set a colorful and interesting backdrop for the story and really creates the fantasy driven reality we all love. From emerald green to the bluest of skies all the way to the darkest of grays, the rainbow is clearly shown through every viewpoint.

In the end, Oz saves the day along with all the great people who call the land of Oz home. With teamwork, bravery, and goodness, they take on the wicked witch and all is happy again. I thought the story was clever, smart, and fun. A nice way to introduce the Wizard of Oz for sure. This girl loved every minute of it.

Color in FIlms: Oz The Great and Powerful

Color in Films: Labyrinth

15 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films, Color Inspiration

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david bowie, fantastical journey, fantasy, films, jennifer connely, jim henson, Labyrinth, natural hues, nature, puppets, realms of fantasy, riddles, weird creatures, worm

Labyrinth is one of my all time favorite films, ever. How can you not love this story? A young girls wish comes true and takes her through a fantastical journey to fix what she created, having her baby brother get taken away by the goblin king, not that she meant for any of this to happen. She realizes her addiction to the fantasy world she escapes to more than often, is actually a real place.

To find her brother, she is led through a labyrinth filled with weird creatures and riddles she must figure out to get to the end. Along the way she makes some friends that she will remember forever and of course memories that will last just the same. A unique film such as this could only come from the one and only Jim Henson and it proves that fairy tales can be loved by all.

The color palette of the film is an abundance of natural hues and earthly tones. From the real world scenes to the labyrinth, nature rules all. Most of the film is shot outside which I love as well. Pops of color are brought in with accessories on the characters and small items so you notice them well against the neutral background. My favorite is the little worm she meets in the beginning. What an adorable little fella!

The soundtrack is fun and lively and the art direction is superb. You will fall in love with all the characters, just like I have, and by then end of the film wish you could take on the adventure as well. A film for all ages, Labyrinth will allow you to explore otherworldly realms of fantasy and take you back to the days where films honored the artistic aspects of moviemaking.

Color in Films: Labyrinth

Color in Films: Sucker Punch

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films, Color Inspiration

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babydoll, dancing, fantasy, films, girls, institution, movies, sucker punch

Sucker Punch is a film about a girl, Babydoll, who gets sent away to a mental institution by her stepfather so she doesn’t share the truth about her sister’s death. To help her cope with the situation, she creates another world for herself where her plans to escape are the main objective. The girls at the institution are all there against their will and forced to entertain guests in rather inappropriate ways. They all stick together to help make the plan happen, before Babydoll gets a lobotomy.

Based in the 1960s, the film is an array of colors, both light and dark. With this palette and the four items Babydoll needs to collect to escape, you are led through a fantastical journey of amazement, war, strength, and fear. Both worlds, reality and fantasy, are given codes of color to organize sequence and allow the view to feel the intensity of each one.

The story ends in bitter sweetness but its certainly a film you must see. It’s exciting, wild, sexy, and intense. I can’t refuse a movie where women kick ass, and this one was a sure winner for me.

Color in Films: Sucker Punch

Inspiration Photo Friday: Beyond the Door

31 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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colonial, color, door, earth, fantasy, nature, neutral, new york, sleepy hollow, stone, wood

This is another great shot from my visit to Sleepy Hollow, NY. Besides the colonial style building, I fell in love with the texture and color of its door. Appearing strong and somewhat medieval, this entrance simply leads to the inside of the home. But what can you imagine it leading to? A different realm of unconsciousness, a fantasy world of endless farmland and evergreen forests. If you use your imagination, anything is possible. Wouldn’t it be cool if this was the front door to your home? I would love that!

If you look at the image as a whole, you will notice the neutral yet beautiful color palette of earthy tones and calm hues. It’s a perfect inspiration for interiors as well as events such as weddings. See the color palette I created to help lead you in the right direction.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Beyond the Door - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor-Arena.

beyond the door palette

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