The cinematography of “Infatuation” explained

[Chasing Amy (1997) movie poster. Chosen for its color scheme which I will discuss later]

  • Overall Feel
    • Much like Dolores’ inconsistent feelings towards Mariko— oscillating between near-worship and admiration for Mariko’s creativity and ambition and her disgust at Mariko’s self-destructive tendencies and lack of emotional availability— I want the feel of the screenplay to vary just as wildly as Dolores’ feelings. Through this, I will be looking at various genres, mediums of film, and directors to figure out my colors, lighting, look, and feel for the different scenes. 
    • I personally want to create an aesthetic for “Infatuation” that is reminiscent of film and television from the era it takes place, as well as the genre. The late 90s, 2000s and early 2010s were chock full of urban fantasy shows, particularly within the CW. These shows often shared similar lighting and aesthetic aspects that are incredibly similar to how I picture “Infatuation.”
      • This image is the official promotional poster for season 1 of the CW’s television show “Supernatural” (2005-2021). You can see a multi-color sky while the characters tend to be drenched in blues, blacks, and grays.
  • Saturation Changes
    • This era of television and film often features changes in saturation depending on the mood. During spooky or somber segments, the film is often desaturated, while the lighting is brighter and notably warm during more positive moments.
      • The screenshot from “Supernatural” season 2, episode 20 on the left shows Dean exploring an abandoned warehouse where a djinn lurks and eventually attacks him. This scene is draped in blue and gray light with an almost muted appearance to Dean and his surroundings. Meanwhile, the screenshot on the left is during a tranquil, happy moment for Dean where he finally gets to experience a taste of normal life. The colors are more vibrant and the contrast between him and his background is much more noticeable.
  • Focus
    • Faces are often the focus of scenes with conversation, the background incredibly blurred to demonstrate where the focus should be.
      • For example, in this screenshot from “Supernatural” 2×20, Dean is the only person or object that is in focus, as he undergoes the realization that the “Sam” standing behind him is in fact not real. 
      • This focus technique can not only tell the audience where their attention should be but also emphasize the emotions of a character.
  • Usage of Primary Colors
    • Primary colors are used often in character introductions for the lighting. For example, in the CW show “Supernatural,” Dean Winchester is introduced in almost entirely blue lighting, which contrasts his energetic, vibrant personality.

[“Stand By Me” (1986). Reference for when Dolores and her cousin see the Lightstalker. In this image, Gordie is looking at a deer, with the colors vibrant and the deer also in focus, which is how I want the lighting and colors to be when Dolores and her young cousin see the Lightstalker— a bright moment for Dolores’ growth as a person that contrasts the doom of her losing her position on the Council.]

[“Jujutsu Kaisen 0” (2021). Reference for the beauty Dolores mainly observes around Mariko, and also for how natural light gives the space more life and vastness.]

[“Chasing Amy” (1997). Reference for the fight/breakup between Dolores and Mariko. The use of the rain and the dim, warm lighting is romantic, highlighting the love the two characters have for each other, but everything else points to their anger and Alyssa’s sense of betrayal, which is what I want to have with Mariko following the reveal that Dolores read her journal.]

[“Love Actually” (2003). The warm lighting of this scene presents Juliet in a glorified way that reflects how Mark views her, much like how I picture Dolores idolizing Mariko.]