Coraline: Colour and Lighting in the Worlds

 The difference between the colour of both of the worlds has contributed much to differentiate them from each other. The lighting that was used for the ‘real’ world at the beginning of the film was set into a colour theme that is quite dull. Dullness, it does not satisfy our views, nor does it satisfy what Coraline wants (as she is the only the real vibrant colour within the world). By doing so, we can infer quite quickly that the world that Coraline resides in is not the most inviting. The lighting was minimal, more so it was also cool. Including, grey, blue and pale. Many of the scenery was were also not very stimulating. At the very least it can stimulate the mind with its mysteriousness, yet, what should be given is that this place is not much for curiosity. The usage of such, the ‘Pink Palace’ the house should be one that will be something loved not by its mysterious, creepy, eerie feeling but a feeling of warmth and “home”.

The ‘other world,’ it felt, at least within the introduction, warm. The essence of lighting and colour was welcoming and inviting. Coraline fits in. It copies a feeling that is felt when we enter our houses and or places where we feel we belong. It feels very similar to home, it is somehow nostalgic. Not only does it feel very similar to home but also looks quite similar to many of the houses. The naturalistic lighting, which would’ve felt quite differently to a colour that was “blank” per se, like white. Natural colours--we tend to adore and enjoy such colour, feel at ease comfort whilst viewing them. A worth to mention the detail that adds to the feeling of home for Coraline was how the ‘other mother’ dressed. She copied how her real mother dress though more proper. This would then, later on, change quite dramatically.

As Coraline continued to enter and exit the other world she felt quite comfortable whilst doing so. But, the time matures and so does the intention shows. While Coraline continues to go back and forth the ‘other mother’s’ dress changes. It would then turn into skirts which got shorter, more grand and outlandish. At the scene that she was offered the buttons for eyes subsequent to refusing so, the feel and colour changes slightly. This would only get much sinister as the time passes. The lights began to look more artificial, brighter, more saturated lights. Which turns from the other end of the spectrum to the other. The warm colours began to mix with colder ones,  turning the lighting purple, still somehow inviting as it has an undertone of a warmer atmosphere. However, this soon transitions onto a very baleful green, a colour that is often viewed as the epitome of disgust. At the very climax of the film the colours ventures into the colour of black and white, a symbolism for the only two outcomes from the clash which we later know that it resulted in Coraline’s victory.

Finally, we come to the conclusion of the film. Where Coraline finally realises her misdeeds and how she wasn’t contempt. By realising so she begins to think differently about the world is more grateful and thankful for the things that she has in her life. This is shown through the then colours that the ‘Pink Palace’ changes into. Before such a scene we also see the garden, though may not be as better looking than the  ‘other world’s’ garden, it began as a new start for the characters. The characters also wore more vibrant colours, looking much proper than they were before. On the concluding shot, we see the ‘Pink Palace’, the dullness and the paleness of the colour that it was before changes. Almost as if it was cleaned, as if before a bad filter was implemented on it. The sky also changes, the grey overarching clouds were removed; revealing a blue clear sky. This comes as the resolution of how the lights have changed over the course of Coraline.