What's Next? Color? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

SawgrassSteve · 01-31-2005, 11:43 AM

I know I've asked this before, but it's been a couple of years now and we have many new readers on the board since then.
Given the continued success of the show and it's dvd sales, shouldn't the next step be to colorize the series? It would, in my opinion, open it up to a new millenium of fans. People who might not otherwise give the series a second glance could become new, lifelong fans by seeing Rob & Laura with their family, friends, coworkers and neighbors in living color. And anything that prolongs the tv life of this series, I'm all for!
What do you think?

Steve
These pics are courtesy of LikeTelevision.com

Carrie · 01-31-2005, 12:05 PM

That's a very interesting concept Steve. I for one am always wondering what color clothes they are wearing. It would be really cool to see the show in color, but to make sure that the originals stay in black and white and are not lost.

JudgeGarth · 01-31-2005, 12:08 PM

I agree with Steve. A lot of purists don't like colorization, but I don't mind it. In fact, I think it's better suited for classic tv than for old movies. Classic tv shows were generally in b&w for budgetary rather than artistic reasons.

Lolac · 01-31-2005, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudgeGarth

I agree with Steve. A lot of purists don't like colorization, but I don't mind it. In fact, I think it's better suited for classic tv than for old movies. Classic tv shows were generally in b&w for budgetary rather than artistic reasons.

I must be a purist then. I don't want to see this show colorized.

Lolac

algebra74 · 01-31-2005, 05:41 PM

Please correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't the "colorizers" of this show, or any show for that matter, have to "guess" at what these people were wearing? There really isn't any way to know what color these clothes were, other than the occassional colored photographs, which I am sure will not be dug out of the archives, as it would take too much effort and time. Therefore, wouldn't these new colors be nothing more than guesses?

Nora · 01-31-2005, 06:22 PM

As long as they got the colors TRUE (especially the flesh tones) I wouldn't mind. It's just that the colorizations I've seen always look "painted." I swore off colorized movies when they gave Ole Blue Eyes (Sinatra) brown eyes in a movie!

Dorothys BestPal · 01-31-2005, 07:03 PM

Its kind of interesting to see what color clothes they are wearing etc...
Generally I dont like colorization, as I feel the director filmed it as a black & white and it should stay that way. Something are just better in black & white(Gilligans Island, Bewitched,) There is a more mystical quality. I guess I am an old fuddy duddy.

hank18 · 01-31-2005, 07:03 PM

I think it would be distracting for me. Looking at those pictures above already make me *more* curious about what the original wardrobe and walls, etc, looked like. Seeing someone else's interpretation would take me even further out of the story because I would be thinking "Why do they think the ottoman is brown, I always pictured it as a light blue," or something like that.

I guess I'm just a purist. But growing up in the color-tv age makes me more appreciative of the black and white. That's what makes it distinctive to me. I always stop on B&W when channel surfing, precisely because it's unique.

And I would bet the creators feel the same way about toying with the show. They seem very protective of it.

SawgrassSteve · 01-31-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algebra74

Please correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't the "colorizers" of this show, or any show for that matter, have to "guess" at what these people were wearing? There really isn't any way to know what color these clothes were, other than the occassional colored photographs, which I am sure will not be dug out of the archives, as it would take too much effort and time. Therefore, wouldn't these new colors be nothing more than guesses?

Algebra74,
You're not wrong. That is, if you hired computer graphics students to do the job over the weekend, then yes, it would all be guesses. But the actual process of the digital colorization of b/w films takes into account the accuracy of the colors, when handled by professionals. There are research people employed for the express reason of getting the colors right. For example, Dick's skin will tan, whereas Mary's will not, so they should'nt have identicle skintones. Chartreuse was the preferred shade of green in the 60s as opposed to what we call olive green today. People who were on site at the time of production are intereviewed concerning walls, floors, carpeting, furniture, cars, and so on. Old photos are actually, "dug up" to see if the hues are off. If so, they are corrected.
You all bring up interesting points, especially the ones concerning you "purists" and the sanctity of the b/w shows being preserved. There are a couple of short articles at this link, Color Me Beautiful , on the subject where many of those issues are addressed.

Steve

Nora · 02-01-2005, 10:57 AM

Steve, that's fascinating!

jillm816 · 02-01-2005, 02:18 PM

I think I am a purist too. I always thought colorized versions made people's teeth look blue. We used to always turn down the color of the TV whenever we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" colorized on TV.

SawgrassSteve · 02-01-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nora

Steve, that's fascinating!

Thanks much, Nora.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillm816

I think I am a purist too. I always thought colorized versions made people's teeth look blue.

Oh, Jill! They do not!
(Or do they?)

Steve

jillm816 · 02-02-2005, 12:02 PM

Bonsai · 02-13-2005, 11:07 AM

Colorization never looks right and it almost always destroys any depth or lighting cues in the original B&W. I know TDVDS isn't The Maltese Falcon, but anyone who has ever seen the Gilligan episodes that Turner colorized will tell you not to allow those satanic computer minions to spread their pastel-colored vomit over any B&W show you treasure.

SawgrassSteve · 02-13-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonsai

Colorization never looks right and it almost always destroys any depth or lighting cues in the original B&W. I know TDVDS isn't The Maltese Falcon, but anyone who has ever seen the Gilligan episodes that Turner colorized will tell you not to allow those satanic computer minions to spread their pastel-colored vomit over any B&W show you treasure.

Whoa, Bonsai!
I love your vivid expression of the english language, but I think you're being a bit myopically pessimistic on this subject

.
Firstly, as in any technological field, huge strides are being made almost yearly in colorizing old film (which is now converted to a digital format before coloring begins). There's even a possibility of retroactively increasing the clarity almost to a point of simulating an "HD" format for these projects in the very near future. :nerd:
Secondly, Turner is not the only horse in this race. There are many companies capable of doing this job superbly, among them Pixar Animation Studios, and if you've seen any of their all-digital feature films released by Walt Disney Studios, and I'm sure you have, I'll bet you've had no problem with "depth or lighting cues" or "pastel" colors

.
Third and finally, I think a fair compromise between you, the Purists, and we, The Great Unwashed, is to simply indulge us. After all, it's not like you can't turn off the color and watch it in b/w anyway

!

Steve

01-31-2005, 11:43 AM	#1
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	What's Next? Color? I know I've asked this before, but it's been a couple of years now and we have many new readers on the board since then. Given the continued success of the show and it's dvd sales, shouldn't the next step be to colorize the series? It would, in my opinion, open it up to a new millenium of fans. People who might not otherwise give the series a second glance could become new, lifelong fans by seeing Rob & Laura with their family, friends, coworkers and neighbors in living color. And anything that prolongs the tv life of this series, I'm all for! What do you think? Steve These pics are courtesy of LikeTelevision.com Attached Images
	__________________ The Cult Of Laura

01-31-2005, 12:05 PM	#2
Carrie Dreamin' of Jeannie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Location: Cocoa Beach Posts: 1,768	That's a very interesting concept Steve. I for one am always wondering what color clothes they are wearing. It would be really cool to see the show in color, but to make sure that the originals stay in black and white and are not lost.
	__________________ psychedelicSiM Designs

01-31-2005, 06:22 PM	#6
Nora Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Location: Eastern Shore, Maryland Posts: 138	As long as they got the colors TRUE (especially the flesh tones) I wouldn't mind. It's just that the colorizations I've seen always look "painted." I swore off colorized movies when they gave Ole Blue Eyes (Sinatra) brown eyes in a movie!
	__________________ I am a fine musician, I practice every day...

02-13-2005, 11:07 AM	#14
Bonsai Gilligan Ambassador Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 12, 2005 Posts: 356	I'm a purist on this issue too... Colorization never looks right and it almost always destroys any depth or lighting cues in the original B&W. I know TDVDS isn't The Maltese Falcon, but anyone who has ever seen the Gilligan episodes that Turner colorized will tell you not to allow those satanic computer minions to spread their pastel-colored vomit over any B&W show you treasure.

01-31-2005, 12:08 PM	#3
JudgeGarth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 07, 2004 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 443	I agree with Steve. A lot of purists don't like colorization, but I don't mind it. In fact, I think it's better suited for classic tv than for old movies. Classic tv shows were generally in b&w for budgetary rather than artistic reasons.

01-31-2005, 05:41 PM	#5
algebra74 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2004 Posts: 337	Please correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't the "colorizers" of this show, or any show for that matter, have to "guess" at what these people were wearing? There really isn't any way to know what color these clothes were, other than the occassional colored photographs, which I am sure will not be dug out of the archives, as it would take too much effort and time. Therefore, wouldn't these new colors be nothing more than guesses?

01-31-2005, 07:03 PM	#7
Dorothys BestPal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 25, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 132	Its kind of interesting to see what color clothes they are wearing etc... Generally I dont like colorization, as I feel the director filmed it as a black & white and it should stay that way. Something are just better in black & white(Gilligans Island, Bewitched,) There is a more mystical quality. I guess I am an old fuddy duddy.

01-31-2005, 07:03 PM	#8
hank18 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 17, 2002 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 126	I think it would be distracting for me. Looking at those pictures above already make me more curious about what the original wardrobe and walls, etc, looked like. Seeing someone else's interpretation would take me even further out of the story because I would be thinking "Why do they think the ottoman is brown, I always pictured it as a light blue," or something like that. I guess I'm just a purist. But growing up in the color-tv age makes me more appreciative of the black and white. That's what makes it distinctive to me. I always stop on B&W when channel surfing, precisely because it's unique. And I would bet the creators feel the same way about toying with the show. They seem very protective of it.

02-01-2005, 10:57 AM	#10
Nora Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Location: Eastern Shore, Maryland Posts: 138	Steve, that's fascinating!

02-01-2005, 02:18 PM	#11
jillm816 Let's dance! Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 29, 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 82	I think I am a purist too. I always thought colorized versions made people's teeth look blue. We used to always turn down the color of the TV whenever we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" colorized on TV.

02-02-2005, 12:02 PM	#13
jillm816 Let's dance! Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 29, 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 82