Wicked Director Explains How Color Grading Turned Oz Into a ‘Real Place’

Wicked Director Explains How Color Grading Turned Oz Into a ‘Real Place’

As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast with over three decades of immersive experiences under my belt, I must admit that the recent cinematic adaptation of Wicked has left me both impressed and slightly perplexed. Having traversed countless virtual worlds, realms, and dimensions in my gaming journey, I found myself drawn to the unique visual aesthetic that Jon M. Chu and his team have crafted for this film.


As a die-hard fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the big screen adaptation of the beloved musical, “Wicked,” penned by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, which finally hit U.S. theaters on November 22, 2024. It’s already raked in an impressive $114 million at the domestic box office!

Jon M. Chu explains why Wicked’s color grading was important

In a recent interview, Jon M. Chu explained the significance of the color grading used in Wicked. He shared that this approach was intended to create an immersive experience for viewers by fully enveloping them in the film’s environment.

When asked about the supposed muted appearance of Wicked, Chu explained to The Globe and Mail, “The film is actually full of color. Our intention was to make Oz seem tangible, to create a genuine location. If Oz were merely a figment of someone’s imagination or a dream, then the authentic emotions and struggles experienced by these two characters wouldn’t resonate as deeply.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “I, as a director, wanted to present Oz differently than ever before. Not just a painted backdrop or a digital game world. I wanted to immerse myself in the raw, gritty texture of it all – the dirt, the worn-out surfaces. That’s why our Oz isn’t going to be plastic; it will feel real.

Chu further elaborated on how the colors in the movie symbolize the storyline’s progression. “The setting is vital, with the sun being the dominant light source. You observe expansive sceneries, the atmosphere, and the inhabitants,” he stated. “The bond between the two main characters, who will appear in two films, is significant; their connection to this land and its supernatural nature, which the wizard controls, is crucial. The color contrast intensifies as time passes because that’s what Elphaba represents in this world,” Chu clarified.

Significantly, Alice Brooks (from Tick, Tick… Boom!) played the role of Director of Cinematography for Wicked. Earlier this month, she shared with Gold Derby that her goal was to narrate “the most profound love story ever” between the main characters using the visual vocabulary of Wicked.

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2024-11-25 14:40