To people who understand the lighting aspect of theatre....?

Question:I have a question for you. I am curious to know how to make people on stage appear black and white. You can see an example of what I'm talking about here:http://youtube.com/watch?v=I62F99PLyok

The singer is in color, but all the people behind her appear black and white. Could someone give me a detailed explaination or point me in the right direction to figure it out, because I want to do something similar to this for a project I'm working on. Thank you so much in advance :)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have a question for you. I am curious to know how to make people on stage appear black and white. You can see an example of what I'm talking about here:http://youtube.com/watch?v=I62F99PLyok

The singer is in color, but all the people behind her appear black and white. Could someone give me a detailed explaination or point me in the right direction to figure it out, because I want to do something similar to this for a project I'm working on. Thank you so much in advance :)

tinalc1 and dinnyfm are correct. This black & white effect was created after it was filmed or videotaped, not live on stage.

I once did a Broadway show called "City Of Angels" which had both color and black & white scenes in it. The color scenes depicted a writer who was writing a film noir type story (like from the 1940s). The b&w scenes were when they were actually acting the story he was writing.

The way we created the b&w scenes were... all of the sets were designed and painted in black and white and shades of grey (grayscale) and all of the costumes were also made of grayscale color materials. The actors and actresses had some white makeup to make it look more realistic.

The color scenes were, of course, done in full color.

It actually came off quite well. The musical play went on to win many "Tony" awards on Broadway including best musical of the year.

I assume that they use filters or these sheets of tinted, durable cellophane over the lights that are directed at the people on stage. Some get blue-white filters the others get a rosy tint. That is how they did it when I was in college, in our college theater.

It all has to do with lighting.. normally you put a thin sheet (plastic) in front of the light.. I would suggest a faded gray one.. but don't quote me on that.. look it up.. but im telling you it's all in the lighting

This particular film is edited to keep her in color, while the rest of the film is changed to b/w. If you'll notice the video screens on the side, she's in black and white.

it is special effects on the film. after it was made. when it was being filmed it was all in color