Colors

[Michael Malloy]

For years I've wondered why the tint of season 5 was so different from the previous 4 seasons.

I can say, in terms of photography, season 5 has a decidedly red cast, while the others were if anything a bit cyan. But it's not just the over all image on film. Some costumes turned to browns and warmer colors in season 5 as well.

Is it perhaps because season 5 deals so much with Lyta? Her hair is red. Probably just coincidence.

Has this topic come up before?

[Dr Maturin]

<<Is it perhaps because season 5 deals so much with Lyta? Her hair is red. Probably just coincidence.

Has this topic come up before?>>

I don't know, but I want the second season of Star Blazers for Christmas.

[jal]

jms did mention that he changed the colours that were worn as the seasons progressed to signify changes in the characters themselves.

Londo started off in purple and ended up in black (signifying his drifting to the Shadows).

but it wouldn`t surprise me if he altered the overall colouring as well.

[B5_Obsessed]

Sheridan's hair and goatee are pretty damn red too.

[Jan]

Originally posted by B5_Obsessed
Sheridan's hair and goatee are pretty damn red too.

Ugh. I hated that! I wasn't fond of the hairstyle either but it was the color that I really disliked.

I've never seen this change in tints discussed before. I wonder if part of it may have been technical in nature? I know that all of the cameras and lenses are rented so I wonder if there might have been a difference in cameras/film stock that might have effected the saturation of colors? I'll certainly look out for it the next pass I take through the series.

Jan

[Michael Malloy]

No, there are precautions against discolorization from film stock and cameras that would have eliminated those reasons. Besides, the change is for the entire season - not scenes within only one episode.

Additionally, making the whole season with a red tint would actually have the effect of muting Lyta's red hair. Photographers are aware of the effects of color filters. Using a red filter would allow only red light to reach the film or tape. Anything red would be rendered less intense in color. A red object would be almost white if it was shot in black and white. [I grew up with parents who were both professional photographers. The red light in a black and white darkroom is not as likely to fog prints, for example, because the paper is not as sensitive to the color red. Cyan or blue woulld completely fog the print. Color photos taken indoors with outdoor film are always reddish unless corrected with a flash or with a cyan filter.]

I think somebody had a reason for making the whole season with a red bias. But what could be the reason?

(P.S. I also was very unhappy with Sheridan's hair style post Z'a ha d'um. The full beard worked better for him, but the sudden change to short hair on the back of his head was without apparent reason.) [Not sure about spellings, by the way!]

[bakana]

(P.S. I also was very unhappy with Sheridan's hair style post Z'a ha d'um. The full beard worked better for him, but the sudden change to short hair on the back of his head was without apparent reason.)

I'd suspect that Boxleitner got himself a new barber.

[Michael Malloy]

Possibly. The same way Talia's hair was suddenly MUCH shorter in the last scene of the episode with the young telepath she and Ivanova fought over. I don't remember the episode title right off hand, but I remember that dramatic shift in appearance at the end. It was in the first season.

And on the topic of strange hair days, why did they put silver in Dr. Franklin's hair for a couple of episodes around the time of the Shadow war? It was silly to assume he would go grey so fast! And when it went back to his normal color the effect was emphasized.

In the DVD interviewlets (ALL were extremely brief in my opinion!), Jerry Doyle's hair is back to whatever he wants...or wanted at the time. But as B5 progressed his hair got shorter. I think he looks better with his head shaved anyway. In spite of my uncut beard and no hair on top, I also trim what pathetic remnant of hair I have in the back because it looks awful if I try to let it grow out. [Tradition in my faith is the reason I have a full beard, but I've always had some sort of beard - even before I chose to become Orthodox Christian in 1996 after befriending some Russians and Serbs.]

[Michael Malloy]

Has anyone else noticed that the white streaks in Lond's hair disappeared in season five? And Dr. Franklin seems to have recovered from his brief premature grey hair.

The most remarkable character color changes were G'Kar's. In the pilot he was virtually copper in color. Season one his color was a bit better. From season two on they finally got G'Kar's make-up right.

Speaking of the pilot, I'm so happy they revised Delenn's look. The poor woman looked awful in the pilot with that chiseled chin and all.

[Dr Maturin]

<<Speaking of the pilot, I'm so happy they revised Delenn's look. The poor woman looked awful in the pilot with that chiseled chin and all.>>

I liked it. I thought it made her look more alien.

[Michael Malloy]

"I liked it. I thought it made her look more alien."

- Z'Ha'DumDweller

Yeah, a really ugly one! I prefer the revised Minbari look.

Speaking of Minbari, I think much more could have been done with Dukat. The actor was so strong on screen. Since he was Delenn's "Master" it would be great to one day know a lot more about him.