Effects of black and white

Classic films were grainy and in black and white, which wasn't very good quality or very clear to watch. Nowadays technology has improved, but for some reason black and white in film and photos create a very original atmosphere. They give a retro/vintage feel to the shot, and black and white can be used and is used frequently used to suggest a past memory, or how someone is feeling inside their head. Black and white allows the audience to see one subject in one light and another in a different light, making it more obvious to the film what is going on or suggesting a particular mood, eg. sad.

I would like to use black and white in my trailer for certain scenes, as I think it creates a dark, defined and eerie atmosphere to the shot, as it blocks away colour, which we associate with happiness. Because of the darkness, it creates a mysterious and suspicious atmosphere as the audience might not be able to see everything clearly in the frame.

I was inspired by German Expressionism, more specificially from the film "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and other classic horrors. "Night of the Living Dead" is a zombie film from 1968 and is filmed entirely in black and white, which made the story seem more realistic and eerie, caused by the shadows and darkness. I was also inspired by Schindler's List. In Schindler's List, the film is in black and white, taking us back to that era. There is also a girl in a red coat amongst the black and white. This creates so much focus and definition on the girl, and it draws attention to that person. You could also do this where everything is in colour and one person/object is in black and white.                                                                            
Below- Cabinet of Dr Caligari and Night of the Living Dead. City is an example of how black and white creates atmosphere. Girl in read coat from Schindler's List.