How do they know what colors to use to change black & white photos and black & white movies into color?

Question

For example, the old Shirely Temple movies were changed to color for a DVD release. Wouldn't they have to be there on the set to know what color her dress or shoes were?

Answer 1

Costumers in the days of black and white actually tried to make the audience "see" different colors. They didn't necessarily use the actual color they wanted to reproduce. For example, brown was often used as a substitute for red. It simply came across to audiences as more "red" than the actual color did.

I think the first response to this question is also very good. Sometimes, however, they colorizers just go with what they "see".

Answer 2

1) Yes, all the information about the wardrobe was kept on file. This way, producers only had to do a little bit of research into that specific product and they'll be able to find colored versions of whatever they were wearing.

2) Best guess was used for skin tones, makeup, etc. This is done by looking at photographs of the actor / set that were in color. Even if they were faded, they can be restored to give a visual refence point.

Answer 3

Digitizing allows a computer to make a "best guess" as to the actual colors used. B & W contains a multitude of shades of gray as well. A computer can interpret these.

Answer 4

The script writers have people on set that kept track of all of that stuff. Even what the actors were eating & what they were drinking. It is really alot of information to consider.