The Atmosphere On Smallville

[KryptonX81]

There has been a problem with the show emerging recenty, clear evidence of it was shown in "Tomb" That problem is the shows atmosphere. I liked "Tomb", but I hated the feel of it that seems to be recurring in recent episodes.

I miss that " sentimental small town during the fall" feeling that the show used to have. The shot of main strret passing over the banner or the sunset from the loft, the shiny farm fields, a talon that dosnt look like a wierd nightclub where goths hang out. or even just the colors that people wear. That warm sentimental fall feeling has been replaced with a bleak, dark, empteyness.

The show used to use alot of oranges and yellows and reds in thier decorations which created that feeling, now it seems that they only use blues and blacks giving the show a more gritty, bleak feeling that I don't like.

I know the producers are trying to give it a more "real" look, but the reality is that te gritty feeling is just as much an extreme as the lights. You never see public places that dark anywhere.

The feeling of the show was what made it great.

What ever happened to the producer that siad on the season 1 DVD, " Bright, vivid, colors are a very important part of smallville"

What does everyone else think?

[SuperVan]

Jon Kent just died, I think the show is moving along well enough. The colors matches what the characters are going through.

[KryptonX81]

Even before he died this was happening.

[LionelLuthor]

A lot of darkness had plagued Smallville as of late, and this is indeed reflected by the colour scheme.
We have been seeing more of Metropolis this season, which has always been a very cool blue and black scheme- so its only natural that the show is 50% or more darker in colour.
We've also seen sleazy and dark strip clubs, more of Lex's warehouses and missile silos- not places that are usually going with bright warm colours.
The show has lost its season 1 and 2 innocence yes, but this is what makes the show more grown up and gritty.
Comic books are usually very dark and gritty so I guess as Season 5 has been more mythos based stuff, we are seeing comic book influences.

[KryptonX81]

Im not really a big comic book fan, but superman has never really seemed gritty. Superman has always been light, and happy, and colorfull.

I want that innocence back.

[superman79]

Superman has been light and colorful only in an exceddingly dark dreary world

[aoa4life]

I think the reason why you feel that way is that the show has changed. JK just died for one...They purposely change colors because it makes you feel how the characters are feeling...Gough and the other producers use colors to manipulate emotion...Clark has changed as well as MK, LL, CS everything has changed its what happens when people and shows grow up...Look at how many times Lionel has visited the farm lately...the atmosphere and attitiude at a place we all know and love will change just because of that fact..Its the best show on tv

[Videogamer49107]

Yeah, I dont' think that the show is going for that more "realistic" approach to colors...I think it's representing the world they live in now like others have said. I loved the fall colors too, but these characters are traveling on a dark road that will eventually turn into a bright light once again like it was before.

[red-K glory]

i have noticed that the show does have a different fell to it. S1-3 had a good fell to it, while S4 just seemed too different. S5 is doing pretty good but i have noticed the change in the feel to the show. especially when you watch an early episode and then watch a season 5 episode.

[KryptonX81]

Yea. Maybe it has to do with the fact that almost all episodes take place at night now. The only time this season I have felt the classic smallville feeling is that scene where they are rebuilding the barn.

[myankskent]

I think the classic smallville feeling is being replaced because the show is maturing. You will probably never see that again because of all that has happened. This is what makes the early episodes different than the new ones. I'm actually glad that they have made a change because no show can stay the same over time and still be good in the later years.

[FotW]

I've noticed that too, but it's not nearly as dark and spooky as some shows such as CSI where all the sets are so dark you can hardly see a thing and all the characters use flashlights! So far this season"Lexmas" was really bright and cheery, if only to contrast the darkness of the "real" Metropolis world with Lex's Smallville fantasy life. But seeing as Lex has been shot twice, Lana was killed, Jonathan was killed, Clark was killed, and Martha nearly died, I think the dark sets are appropriate and probably only part of the reason the show has felt so bleak. :lol:

Originally posted by KryptonX81
[B

The show used to use alot of oranges and yellows and reds in thier decorations which created that feeling, now it seems that they only use blues and blacks giving the show a more gritty, bleak feeling that I don't like.



What does everyone else think? [/B]

[jmf1]

It sure is an improvement over the high school bubble gum effect. The characters are growing up. When CK is on the farm, its warm and sunny. When he's in Metropolitis where crime happens every minute like NYC or Gotham, it should have a different feel - it should be scary like in Vengence.

[KryptonX81]

In metropolis I can understand, but even the farm and other parts of Smallville are now bleak and gritty.

[lozalauren]

well maybe the shows just moving on from that, as clarks in metropolis alot, and maybe he's just slowin turnin into that clark kent glasses look and not farm boy, so there taking the farm boy feeling away, like martha's becoming all businessy and lionel is in the picture alot, things are just moving on slowly into something else, clark can't be a farm boy forever. and we all know he's not going to stay in smallville forvever either.

[19smallville61]

i agree with KryptonX81, the show needs to slow down on shooting nights scene and making all the sets dark......but with Metropolis being blue and Smallville being yellow and red needs to continue more!

[superkent511]

it has only been like this since john kent died, early season 5 was very colorful. I do think that they have some reason to have a darker tone now but all these night scenes are a little irratading. and why is the talon always tinted purple???

[PowerofFlight]

Smallville has tones of amber and warmth. Metropolis has tones of blue and optimism.
I feel that the show moves on, and tries to be more dynamic than a small Kansas town would normally be. I am glad the show changes tone, it says something that fans get more involved as changes occur.

[puddinpiester]

I liked the innocence of Smallville. Too many tv shows lying in wait to rob innocence from young kids, teenagers, and blissfully ignorant (not stupid ignorant; but rather the unaware or naive ignorant) adults. The innocence, the good moral values depicted, the light and breezy plots, the Superman mythos, etc. are what got me interested in watching SV in the first place. I still manage to find those things, if only in a smalll measure, in every SV epi. Obviously, some episodes more than others. The ugly real world stuff, I can watch on most all tv shows, the news programs, or the newspapers. Guess the ugliness in the world is what really entices viewers and sells advertising. Luckily, I get to choose what I watch and what I read. Currently, I choose to watch SV. I think SV is good entertainment and often fodder for interesting conversations. Yes, the atmosphere is changing, but like someone previously said, everthing changes. We can hope for glimpses of innocence and happy colors in the future.

I'd like to add, the features which got me interested originally are what sets the show apart from other shows. I hope TPTB are smart enough to capitalize on what made the show such a stand out in the first place and not just go down the sex sells, the world is a dark place, or pretty people captivate mentality. That would be the easy route but, it would make the show ordinary, like so many other programs. If I want ordinary, I can just go out into my yard and watch the grass grow.

[KryptonX81]

Sorry for digging up my old thread, but I really wanted to expand on the idea.

Season 5 is now finished, and the season for the msot part has gone without getting any lighter.

Here are some ways that they can easily fix the atmosphere.

1. Have the show take place at daytime

2. Instead of using muted grey tones, make the show like it was. With bright oranges, yellows, and reds.

3. When they film in Metropolis, use bright blues and purples.

4. The show is called smallville. Make the show actually take place there.

5. The show should primarly feel like it is taking place during the fall. even when it isnt fall.

6. Instead of outside influences apon Smallville. Make the show more self contained. Explore the mythology of the town itself.

7. Use more outdoor shots.

8. Show something actually going on at the farm. The farm greatly adds to this atmosphere.

9. Film primarily when it is sunny and bright outside.

10. I know this might be hard, but involve the highschool in some way. For some reason, high school greatly enhances this fall feeling too. Maybe have Clark take Jason's old job as football coach.

11. Have the producers watch season 1. Make them take notes.
Then have them watch season 5 and make them see where they went wrong.

[myankskent]

Originally posted by KryptonX81
Sorry for digging up my old thread, but I really wanted to expand on the idea.

Season 5 is now finished, and the season for the msot part has gone without getting any lighter.

Here are some ways that they can easily fix the atmosphere.

1. Have the show take place at daytime

2. Instead of using muted grey tones, make the show like it was. With bright oranges, yellows, and reds.

3. When they film in Metropolis, use bright blues and purples.

4. The show is called smallville. Make the show actually take place there.

5. The show should primarly feel like it is taking place during the fall. even when it isnt fall.

6. Instead of outside influences apon Smallville. Make the show more self contained. explore the mythology of the town itself.

7. Use more outdoor shots.

8. Show something actually going on at the farm.

9. Film primarily when it is sunny and bright outside.

10. Have the producers watch season 1. Make them take notes.
Then have them watch season 5 and make them see where they went wrong.

But this is Clark's dark years, which is why the show needs to stay dark. You're never going to get those bright sets anymore because the glory days are gone. It's gloom and doom until the end of the series. Season 6 will probably be even darker than season 5. That being said, I hate the fact that the show has been darker because Lana is with Lex. That is ridiculous. If you're going to make the show dark, do it because Lex is evil and he is plotting to hurt people, not as Zod, but as himself. Season 3 was dark for good reason, because Lionel was a MB who took control of the show and got the job done. Let me see Lex actually look menacing instead of manipulating a 19 year old. I'm not impressed.

[KryptonX81]

The glory days dont have to be over. for all we know, season 6 could go back to the good ol days and be the best season. Its unlikely, but always possible.

Remember that humans control the fate of smallville.

And these arnt really dark years. Just diffrent.

The reason I am so attached to the atmosphere is becuase it was what got me into the show in the first place. The minute I saw that crane shot passing over the banner that sais "go crows" I knew that this show was special and that I had to watch it.

[MidgardDragon]

I like the show looking like Fall, but I want to see more episodes that take place in winter, with snow on the ground. The beginning of Reckoning felt so magical. In fact, I think if not for the ending scenes (the election party onwards) that the hatred for Reckoning from most people would probably be turned to love.

[myankskent]

Originally posted by KryptonX81
The glory days dont have to be over. for all we know, season 6 could go back to the good ol days and be the best season. Its unlikely, but always possible.

Remember that humans control the fate of smallville.

And these arnt really dark years. Just diffrent.

The reason I am so attached to the atmosphere is becuase it was what got me into the show in the first place. The minute I saw that crane shot passing over the banner that sais "go crows" I knew that this show was special and that I had to watch it.

The problem that you are going to be faced with is the fact that Al/Miles said back in season 3 that it was going to be the darkest season until Clark and Lex become enemies, and at that point, the show will remain dark. Season 5 has finally reached that point where Clark and Lex are at odds, so the darkness is not going anywhere as a result of it.

[KryptonX81]

Even if they dont go back to season 1, they could atleast go back to season 4. As far as the atmosphere goes, season 4 was fairly good.

Heck, even season 3 was pretty good. It atleast kept the color scheme and bright locations. season 5 felt like the set of a bad horror movie.

[KryptonX81]

I guess the reason that I am so mad is that Smallville's atmosphere set it apart from the rest of tv. Every other show on tv is about gritty city life. Smallville was diffrent. Why did it have to take away what was going for it?

[myankskent]

Originally posted by KryptonX81
Even if they dont go back to season 1, they could atleast go back to season 4. As far as the atmosphere goes, season 4 was fairly good.

Heck, even season 3 was pretty good. It atleast kept the color scheme and bright locations. season 5 felt like the set of a bad horror movie.

Well, I'm biased because I love horror. Anything gory and dark is what I am about, but as I've said before, if the reason why this show needs to be dark is because Lana is with Clark's enemy, no thanks. I hate the fact that Clark and Lex have to be at odds because of a girl neither one of them will end up with in the end anyway. What a waste of time.


Originally posted by KryptonX81
I guess the reason that I am so mad is that Smallville's atmosphere set it apart from the rest of tv. Every other show on tv is about gritty city life. Smallville was diffrent. Why did it have to take away what was going for it?

But you know what, I like the change. They are trying to do something different and not have the same happy thing all of the time. Plus, we all know that this show was going to get darker as the seasons went on because Clark and Lex were going to drift apart. I like stories that start out happy and end up in darkness. This is why I love The Lord of the Rings and why I love horror movies like Friday the 13th, which usually start out during the daytime and end at night. Smallville is kind of similar to this.

[KryptonX81]

Originally posted by myankskent
Well, I'm biased because I love horror. Anything gory and dark is what I am about, but as I've said before, if the reason why this show needs to be dark is because Lana is with Clark's enemy, no thanks. I hate the fact that Clark and Lex have to be at odds because of a girl neither one of them will end up with in the end anyway. What a waste of time.
Don't get me wrong, I love horror too. I just dont think it works for this show. Smallville and superman have always been about being light and happy.

It just sucks seeing the thing that you love most about the show being gone. It just makes it like any other show now.

[myankskent]

Originally posted by KryptonX81
Don't get me wrong, I love horror too. I just dont think it works for this show. Smallville and superman have always been about being light and happy.

It just sucks seeing the thing that you love most about the show being gone. It just makes it like any other show now.

But there's only so much happiness that you can have. Sooner or later, you need some dark times before you get the biggest and brightest moment that you will ever see on this show, Clark becoming Superman. The problem with Smallville is that the characters surrounding Clark have no place in his future, except for Lois and Martha. That means that Lana must be pushed aside as far as a romantic storyline with Clark is concerned. Chloe will most likely get killed off or move away. Pete already moved away. Jonathan needed to get killed off. And of course, Lex needs to become Clark's greatest enemy, something that has been continuously hinted at for a long time now, but before this series is over, we will most likely see that to the extreme. All of these things just have to make this show dark.

[Watching Smallville]

Originally posted by KryptonX81
I miss that " sentimental small town during the fall" feeling that the show used to have. Me, too. :\

[msw44]

I definitely have noticed that season 5 was much darker than other seasons, but I think it has to be. From the beginning they've made Metropolis have a blue, colder color scheme while Smallville has had warmer hues. They did that on purpose. Now that a lot more of the show takes place in Metropolis it's only fitting that we see those colder, darker colors.

I definitely miss the warm, cozy atmosphere of Smallville, but this season has been SO dark for Clark. I think it's been the most frustrating season so far because poor Clark is going through such a horrible and difficult time in his life. I mean, this is worse than anything that's ever happened to Clark by far-- losing his father, seeing the woman he loves fall for his ex-best friend, not to mention the phantom zone. It sucks that the atmosphere is so dark, but Clark's life is dark right now. Hopefully as Clark gets his life back together the atmosphere will lighten up once again.

[KryptonX81]

Hopefully.
Going back to the old feeling would be pretty easy. They can film the same stuff, just use diffrent lighting, colors, and times of day.

[KryptonX81]

Originally posted by msw44

I definitely miss the warm, cozy atmosphere of Smallville, but this season has been SO dark for Clark. I think it's been the most frustrating season so far because poor Clark is going through such a horrible and difficult time in his life. I mean, this is worse than anything that's ever happened to Clark by far-- losing his father, seeing the woman he loves fall for his ex-best friend, not to mention the phantom zone. It sucks that the atmosphere is so dark, but Clark's life is dark right now. Hopefully as Clark gets his life back together the atmosphere will lighten up once again.
The problem is, this happened even before these bad things happened. Smallville really hasnt been the same since season 3, and it really has never matched season 1.

I know that miller/gough occasionally drop by this site so Im asking them, if they read this to bring back the warm cozy atmosphere from season 1. There are enough drak gritty shows on tv. Smallville is diffrent. It is the warm, simple innocence that seperates it from the rest of tv and makes it great.

superman isnt a tragedy he is an inspiration, a shining light of hope in a world of tragedy. This is not supposed to be a dark story. It is supposed to be a light one.

[LionelLuthor]

I personally love darker episodes, but you can't help but love the classic season 1 feeling of goodness.
I think every one has said this, but the lighting and colours used reflect the current plot lines and character's emotions.
A couple of other things here, Lex Luthor is never the enemy of Clark, but Superman.....I think from all of the hints that we've had, it's safe to say that Lex and Clark will be enemies in Smallville.

Yes, the story of Superman is a light one, but at the moment we are seeing Clark's story. Superman doesn't exist yet.There's nothing light going on in Clark's life at the moment. It's appropriate for the show to look the way it does now, and it is still visually amazing.

[kal-el1513]

when clark turns into superman, the goodness and warmth will be back.

[KryptonX81]

Originally posted by LionelLuthor


Yes, the story of Superman is a light one, but at the moment we are seeing Clark's story. Superman doesn't exist yet.There's nothing light going on in Clark's life at the moment. It's appropriate for the show to look the way it does now, and it is still visually amazing.

Not really. It has basicly become just a normal tv show.

I know that alot of stuff is happening with clark right now, but even before all this stuff started the show has gotten darker.

[KryptonX81]

Well the season 6 premiere has come, and it doesnt look any better. If anything, it looks worse. So much for " this is just a dark time in Clarks life, im sure it will get better"

Thank you smallville production team for ruining the greatest element of what was my favorite show.

Did everyone decide to throw out all thier lamps after the second meteor shower?

[lilkoolmaria]

Season 5 was all dark and stuff. I think they're gonna light up the atmosphere this year, though.

[KryptonX81]

from the season 6 premier, it looks like it is only going to get worse.

Even if they bring it back to the way it was in season 4 il be happy, but they should shoot for season 1.

[KryptonX81]

Well the past 2 episodes are better than most of season 5, but they still have a very long way to go to get back to season 1.

Break out the lights that they apparently sold midway through season 3.

[Netwolf]

Originally posted by KryptonX81


I miss that " sentimental small town during the fall" feeling that the show used to have. The shot of main strret passing over the banner or the sunset from the loft, the shiny farm fields, a talon that dosnt look like a wierd nightclub where goths hang out. or even just the colors that people wear. That warm sentimental fall feeling has been replaced with a bleak, dark, empteyness.

The show used to use alot of oranges and yellows and reds in thier decorations which created that feeling, now it seems that they only use blues and blacks giving the show a more gritty, bleak feeling that I don't like.



I can't tell you how you hit the nail on the head with those thoughts.
I understand they are growing up and things can get dark. But there seems to be an overwhelming trend to want to be more, dare I say, X-Files-ish now. Just seems a little out of balance.

I so do miss that awesome 'orange glow' and that Fall feeling, especially on the Kent farm.

[InLove_with_Chloe]

Originally posted by KryptonX81
The show used to use alot of oranges and yellows and reds in thier decorations which created that feeling, now it seems that they only use blues and blacks giving the show a more gritty, bleak feeling that I don't like.

Well, blue and black are the colors of Metropolis, while orange and yellow was Smallville. The show moves to the city now that Clark is growing up. The DP has almost replaced the Kent Farm as one of the major sets. That's where Clark and his 'sidekick' Chloe solve mysterious situations, now...