In July, AMC aired a black and white version of the Walking Dead pilot. The results must have been nice, because word has surfaced that AMC plans to all 18 episodes from season 1 and season 2 in black and white starting in February. Showrunner Glen Mazzara retweeted a fan’s photo of the article from what I believe is The Walking Dead Magazine, so it seems to have his stamp of approval. I hope Mazzara helps oversee the black and white conversion process, although the ideal scenario brings original show creator Frank Darabont back to design the B&W alternate version, as he did for The Mist director’s cut. Regardless, it’s a cool move, and I like to see a hit show experimenting with format like this.
Hit the jump to see the article screencap. Season 3 of The Walking Dead resumes on February 10.
Via Mazzara’s Twitter:
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It would be cool for future episodes that the producers would hire George A. Romero to direct an episode and either be in entirely in B&W or only for the cold opening. Food for thought.
Hey guys! I tweeted that to Glen, and yes it was from Issue 2 of TWD Mag that I got today!! Totally stoked to see some black and white.
Err, why?
Now all we need is for somebody to make a fan edit that strips down seasons 1 and 2 into a tight 3 hours or so and we’d be all set.
Damn you, sir! But what about all the totally motivated and riveting speeches, in which characters look into the middle distance and ponder the everything-ness of it all.
Everything is better in Black and White. Especially zombies.
Pointless. The black and white actually detracts from the shows feel.
Of course, just when I buy the blu-rays, they’re going to go back and Black and White ALL of the episodes! “It’s just broadcast” you say, for now it is sure, but just wait, there will be blu and DVD releases in full B&W, there will be…. there will be.
Newsflash: In what has been called the greatest technological discovery since the mute button, scientist in Malaysia have discovered a “menu” on TVs created since forever that allows you to change the color settings! Mamat Bak, lead scientist, accidentally detected this phenomenon while taking the remote out of his child’s mouth.
Erm…don’t we all have a button on our tv remote control that can do this or am I missing something? Next….the silent edition…
First the 3D craze is returning, now B&W. Next, cable execs will start charging extra for color.
EXEC: “We agreed to air the shows, but we never said it would be in color. If the suckers want color then it will be an added service charge on their bill. A $5 monthly fee should cover our color conversion costs.”
Sorry, this has so many softballs I feel like Manny Sosa.
Yeah, the thing is, to effectively be in black and white a movie or tv show has to be shot for black and white. You can’t just shoot in color and then tune down the ol’ chromagraph and Presto-chango, “The Walking Dead now with Chiaroscuro!”