Creating Contrast

Each shot and each scene is like music. If there was only one note played for any time, it would become monotonous. Different, contrasting notes make music interesting. When planning shots and cutting scenes, it's important to consider how they will play out against each other, to create the mood required for the story. A less intense scene will need less contrast, and vice versa. If two similar scenes are put next to each other, the movie may drag.

Here's an example of different scenes next to each other in Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol. When planning the mission, the scene is in a confined interior space, with blue light. The scene after is bright with miles of clear view and a neutral color palette. Right after, however, we're in the middle of a dust storm that feels confining and has red colors throughout. The contrast makes the movie interesting and feels bigger.

Within a scene, each shot should be planned in regards to the contrast required for the story. Shot Contrast can be controlled based on how large subjects are in frame, angles, and color. I've put a Black color under intense shots, Grey for less intense and White for the least intense shots. As you can see, the beginning has sporadic intense shots, then at the end the intensity is ramped up. This subconsciously gives the viewer an orchestrated experience that they'll enjoy.