In class this week we learned about production design. We defined production design as everything you see within the frame besides the performer, special effects, or natural occurrences. Production design includes things such as set design, location, props, wardrobe, hair and makeup, and possibly things like paintings and sculptures.

To help us understand production design we watched the 1989 Batman. This Batman film was directed by Tim Burton, who seems to be better known for directing animated films because of his very distinct illustration style and he is known to use mostly blacks and whites in his color palettes.

This adaptation of Batman casts Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Jack Nicholson as Jack Napier/The Joker. This film also includes many other notable characters from Batman such as Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale, James Gordon, and Harvey Dent. Batman takes place in Gotham City. This is the place where Batman lives and was born and raised. A lot of this film does take place in the streets of Gotham City, and it is a very dark city. A lot of the scenes in the city are very dull and gray. Another place where a few scenes take place is at Wayne Manor, which also appears very dark and dull. Below Wayne Manor is Batman’s headquarters, aka the Bat Cave. The Bat Cave is very dark and seems as though it is wet, with bats flying around. Batmans outfit is all black, with a gold belt and it casts yellow as the background of his bat logo that is on his chest. Even the other characters seem to wear a lot of black and gray, very neutral colors. However, one character in particular is very colorful. The Joker has very white skin with green hair, and his lips are red. He wears very deep purple and green. Even before he became the Joker, as Jack Napier, he still wore colorful suits. His character strays away from the whole color palette of the rest of the film. He is very bright, whereas everything else in the film is very dark.

This film was very helpful in learning about production design. I liked watching this film for this subject because Batman is something that I am already familiar with. While watching this film, I couldn’t remember actually watching this adaptation of Batman but I have seen other Batman films and cartoons and know a lot about Batman. I enjoyed watching this movie and I liked thinking about how the production design of this film is different from other film that I have seen.