Why Filmmakers Use the 60-30-10 Color Rule

Filmmaker Wolfcrow explained what the 60-30-10 percent color rule entails and how it is featured in great movies. Essentially, the dominant color (of various shades) is present in 60% of the frame, a secondary complementary color is present in 30% of the frame and the remaining 10% is an accent color. This simple formula provides a balanced color palette with a bit of visual contrast.

In most cases it feels like the colors are not randomly chosen. There’s an intelligence at work. …If a piece of furniture is a particular color in the scene that’s by design. …If the walls are a different color than white or cream, that’s intentional. The color of clothes, of umbrellas, of a car. It’s all done because the filmmakers want to make a statement to the clever and careful use of color one popular formula, To simplify the color design is the 60 30 10 rule 

via Boing Boing

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.