I worked for David on House of Cards. MANY MANY MANY takes. He's not just obsessed with movement. He's obsessed with EVERYTHING in the frame. We were working in the Russo's Office set for 45 minutes getting everything right after rehearsing a scene with Cory. David enters. Room gets quiet. We were sure we had everything perfect. He says: "the desk is off by 1.5 inches." Sec decorator pulls his tape saying, "i just leveled the desk---oh. It is. 1.25 inches off." David goes "Great. Let's fucking shoot this." And walks to video village. Working for him is like being in film industry bootcamp, but it honestly holds you accountable for the quality of your work. If you're bad--he'll probably embarrass you a little. But when he says "I like this. Do this more." It validates all the hours of sleep you've missed while working 18 hour days.
This was really cool to read. Thank you. :) My husband and I were just watching Mindhunter and I muttered out loud how many takes it must have been during a scene with particularly snappy back-and-forth banter and he was just like "oh god" as the realization dawned on both of us that Fincher does zillions of takes. LOL Being aware of it makes you appreciate things more, but it's hard to get out of that "oh god how long did THIS scene take" headspace sometimes.
DeadlyDanDaMan Sometimes I hate to admit it, but it has made me my own "perfectionist" professionally. After two years on that show, you really learn how to make sure you always have your shit together.
One thing that is not said in this video is that Fincher shoots 6 or 8K but only uses 4K. So what is shown in the final film is only a part of the frame actually recorded. Which then allows him to adjusts pans, tilts and camera stabilization a lot more than if he didn't have all that wiggle room.
Yes! Even back in the day when Fincher shot on 35mm film. Se7en was shot on Super 35mm film, the theatrical release version cropped top and bottom to 1:2.35. So there is a LOT of headroom to adjust and re-frame.
In other words, Fincher doesn't know what he wants, and finalizes it in edit, and over shoots, and over frames so that he gets it right in "edit". Duh! anyone can do that. It's Hitchcock or Cameron who frame exactly what they want to frame, and don't shoot in 8k to "figure" out their scenes later. In fact 4k and 8k is making all the new filmmakers hacks and bad filmmakers, because they think they can go back and re-frame a larger crop to their liking, instead of framing the scene exactly the way it should be. They cover their lack of mise en sense because they have an 8k to play with. hogwash.
DE Fiverr well I would add lighting and color as well. Fincher heavily relies on color grading. BUT there is a lot that cannot (at least not yet) be done or changed dramatically in post such as tracking shots, blocking, perspective and depth-of-field. Yes: with film you need to get it right in camera - or you'll lose valuable real estate (resolution). I would mention Stanley Kubrick as a master of framing, lens choice, lighting/exposure and camera work in general.
DE Fiverr "In fact 4k and 8k is making all the new filmmakers hacks and bad filmmakers" Classic case of "It has to be hard for the artist to be good art"
+truefilm Funny, I've read the exact opposite was the case. Of course there is color grading, but from what I understand, Fincher makes sure that the biggest chunk of color grading happens in production design already by putting together scenes that overall match the scheme he's going for.
@@MrCoolRibhu I went to film school, made a shit film, then an okay film, then a great film. Then I made a masterpiece. Then I came back and watched the rest of this... on my deathbed.
Yes, I agree. Well, it's one of my favourite so far. Very interesting observation about Fincher. Such a basic technique that becomes so powerful through consistent and precise application. I love it!
Is it because he is a good video essay producer, or is it because there's so much Fincher Hijacking going on and we just like what Fincher is doing? Is NerdWriter re-hacking our eyes?!
Lol, I guess a little of both. Fincher is displaying a really interesting and effective technique, and Evan is picking up on its value incredibly well. While I enjoy most of his videos, there are some that I feel are making a big point out of nothing (the Norm Macdonald one for example). This particular video is maybe one of three of his that I've rewatched multiple times - and I think that's what I love so much about it.
Very cool video and it puts a finger on something I've definitely noticed - a side effect of 'binging' long form narratives is that they definitely stick with you, usually in the short term of a day max. After a season of Torchwood I realized I was being kind of an asshole to people around me because everything I said was an attempt at a quick, witty quip - after watching Limmy's show for a while I have to fight the urge to put on a bad scottish accent. After watching hours of American Horror Story I felt notably different until the next day, from the eerie and dramatic atmosphere that fills the whole show. Subjecting your brain to this stuff really does have a lasting effect.
If you kept those things to yourself, you would have such an edge over all of us aspiring to work in the film industry. But instead you chose to share them, and did so very well. For that I say thanks, and congrats for one more eye opening video. And please keep sharing, that's always the best thing to do!
Once you study film theory this stuff becomes very evident. Nerdwriter does a great job in packaging these lessons into a video essay format that isn't too long and easy to absorb. There is still much more about Fincher that Nerdwriter isn't telling you. The way he puts exposition at the forefront of his scenes as a means to exasperate drama as opposed to revealing exposition through subtext, or how sequencing frames in a scene can shift power dynamics between characters. Camera moves that highlight certain behaviours is just scratching the surface, Fincher has a very refined understanding of the relationship between the character and the frame and he can manipulate both to not only hold the audiences hostage, but also play with their emotions. I've alway thought of Fincher films as eerily interrogative. Not only does he hijack your senses, it's like he confronts you with ugly truths of the human condition.
There's a famous psychological test/question: You learn the secret of happiness. What do you do with it? Many people end up saying: Share it with everyone! - but whenever this happens, they keep the information to themselves. Let's remember that film making is art. We are not scientists trying to compete with one another, we are artists that collaborate together to touch humanity's soul, make them feel what they have never felt, teach them what life is all about. Share your knowledge and experiences with fellow artists, you won't be disappointed!
Fincher is a genius. I could re-watch his movies more than any other filmmaker. They’re so magnetic and engrossing, especially when he collaborates with Trent Reznor.
You know who else hasn’t got one? Some of the greatest directors in the history of film. Oscars or most award ceremonies for that matter are just circlejerk.
@David Hamilton Indeed, as the poster above, I agree. People just need something for reference to give a compliment, and Oscars are the imaginary "top" honors one can receive. Most of us know by now it's not just a worthless statue but the meaning behind it is so water down it really shouldn't matter.
Oscars are rubbish. They are full of prudes who won't award it to deserving artists because they don't like the contetnt. Make a boring movie about the queen and they will shower them with Oscars.
Instead of his camera capturing an image for your eyes, it becomes your eyes. It causes deeper immersion and pulls us closer to the characters by making it personal versus us watching an event.
THIS! I always notice how my eyes shake while I walk or run, ofc our eyeline doesn't stay dormant while we're moving, and now having seen this videos I'm blown away
Great video, never noticed Fincher's camera movements in relation to the character movements, thanks for making this! I would say though that Emmanuel Lubezki hijacks your eyes in a similar with his frequent use of Steadicam, especially in films directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and Terrence Malick; I feel their movies actually stabilize my vision and turn me into a walking Steadicam for a little while, which is amazing :)
Very true. I'm a huge Lubezki fan, but I would say his work on Children of Men with Alfonso Cuaron is still his most engaging and engulfing. He manages to do what Fincher does, bringing you into the character through synced movement, as well as know when to do the opposite and let you live in the scene as yourself through his camera rather than through a character as your avatar. He's able to add depth to the story and the world by just the way that he shows you things
Both Fincher and Lubezki are the best in what they do in my opinion. Their work is not easily comparable though, besides the one being a director and the other a cinematographer... Fincher's perfection lies on his steady (crane or tripod) shots, with the camera making only very smooth moves that are exactly calculated, while Lubezki stands out for his handheld shots and long takes. Fincher has done some pretty cool cgi long takes as well though.
We call this motivated movement, and try to do it filming live events like a wedding. When you're locked in with the person on camera it can be pretty fun, like a dance. And it's almost as if their body is moving yours and you're no longer in control.
I find that, apart from the director, the camera operator has to be the most in sync with the actors in terms of movement if any kind at all is involved even if it doesn’t move with them, per se.
I noticed it long ago in 7 when Brad Pitt finds the head in the box and goes through all of his emotions pointing the gun at Kevin Spacey. The camera moves with him in such a way it's like he wants to hide everything because he's so uncomfortable but the camera won't let him. Almost like the camera makes him shoot.
YES! That's EXACTLY how I took it. It was like following someone while doing a documentary and they're trying to avoid you like fuck off man. Lol. Watch the chase scene with Somerset, Mills and Doe. The camera flows with Doe, he's like a graceful ghost. The camera flails, hurries and stumbles about around Mills. Somerset's camera work is hurried too but not as wild as Mills. I LOVE Seven. Perfect in every way.
Ya kinda makes me think of a killer hiding from a cop he's running from this cop isnt a regular cop the cop is a crooked cop wanting to kill the serial killer
Oh. My. God. My mind just exploded. I've noticed this Fincher-effect myself just haven't known what was causing it. Brilliant. Essay. Best channel on youtube.
The scenes with the invisible cat, the tuna tin and homegirl are pure dope. But the scene where homegirl and the two dudes are in the elevator after coming from the boss's office...is so good ...that you know they are all going to break into a gang smile. Sublime.
David Fincher is so artistic. I wasn’t even born in the 70s but I honestly feel the nostalgia of the 70s when I watch this. It’s crazy. Don’t ask me to elaborate. He’s a genius.
This is insane. I just watched Se7en, which prompted me to rewatch Fight Club, and Zodiac, and Benjamin Button. And then literally 6 hours after I finished my partial Fincher marathon, this video shows up on my feed.
if you're watching Nerdwriter you owe it to yourself to stop watching CinemaSins ;) Just trust me, that guy has zero understanding of film or "satire". He's not good.
i think he does have an understanding of film, he's just a comedy channel that has to make two videos a day, so of course there'll be stupid sins in there.
Just binged Mindhunters over the weekend, and I loved watching for the subtle camera movements when I started feeling a certain way- especially those slow, subtle dolly-ins "drawing" you in.
Uhhmm.... Wouldn't anyone gonna mention how this video incorporated Fincher's technique by showing us the glass scene without camera movement at 0:20, then with camera movement at 4:35? It's smart moves like these that make me like this channel! ☺
Holy moly I was just about to write this. I also thought that the first one had the camera move with the glass both times. So that after watching the video we would notice the camera movement only after it was explained.
It's like in the beginning he was still learning what was Fincher's secret, so the camera movements are not perfect yet. At the end of the video he understood it, so he corrects the scene. Brilliant.
Wow! That's why I was so terrified when Ed Kemper of MindHunter stood up to Agent Ford. I was prepared to leap, but frozen in place. Dammit, I already binged Season 2. Thank you for the explanation.
Man, as an actor, i really appreciate videos like this- that not only tie in elements of filmmaking and editing and such- but how an actors performance ties in with it. Especially with the "emotion" bit near the end there.
David Fincher is a true artist living among us and I don't use the word 'artist' lightly...he should be among the greats in the future if he isn't already...thank you Nerdwriter for this video..will be waiting for the next one..
The connection between motion and emotion is so powerful. If we think of the camera like an eye, how the camera moves is how we as the viewer move as well. When we start to emotionally connect with a character we can slowly push the camera in, during a big reveal we can see things from a new perspective by changing into a bird's eye view.
This video essay was a revelation. In 5 minutes and 30 seconds, you managed to articulate what I have loved about Fincher's films since I first saw The Game in theaters in 1997, but could never put my finger on. Great job! 👏
It’s funny because I’ve always subconsciously noticed it, but it never became so obvious until you pointed it out. I wonder how it’ll effect my view of Fincher’s films now that I’m consciously aware.
Congrats you just hijacked my eyes did as well, I been searching for and long time why fincher’s film can leave me in such an shock after watching it despite it being full of simple action
Great Essay! I love Fincher's work and as a Director I've studied many of his films, but your breakdown was like the light bulb going off. You Nailed it! and I gotta say THANK YOU!
I also think that how we release certain bursts of satisfaction when we watch a dancer/stuntman/any choreographed act hit the cue perfectly. It’s the same with finchers camera movement, the actors hit the emotional and visual cue perfectly and it pairs up so nicely with the pacing he sets and ofc the editing that goes into creating the masterpieces that he does. This is the reason why I finished half seasons of Mindhunter in a day and you can’t skip his movies once you start watching them, especially fight club and the social network. It is very very difficult to take your eyes off of screen and the engagement certainly works for better story telling as the viewer is not missing any detail, Literally!
Great vid man, Fincher's style is extremely unique. To my knowledge he gets his shots by overscanning when he shoots. This means he can re frame in post and give it that "omnipotent" and "cold" feeling you talk about. Its awesome.
Rewatching this because it made the 9th spot on my list of best vides uploaded to RUclips this year. This made me change the way I watch Fincher films, which I love. Thanks for pointing out his camera movements!
I didn't like it.. too convoluted and while this may sound ironic given how perfectionist Fincher is.. I felt it was rushed.. But as you can tell from my name and picture.. I am a Fincher fan..
You outdid yourself again. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you devote to theses videos. You count among those who do this young media justice
I can't believe I never noticed that ! This seems so obvious after you realized all these camera moves. I think the facts that the movements are perfectly adjusted in post make them almost undetectable for the brain. Awesome video !
This was great! I recently watched all of Mindhunter (and rewatching it currently) to get more of an understanding of why I thought I was reading and understanding where characters were coming from and going before the show would outright tell me, and I think you answered that in this with Fincher's fascination of behaviour! I really need to start working on my own video essays though as I admire your work so much and really want to try my own. They'll be nowhere near as good but hey, gotta start somewhere :)
I read he does this on wikipedia, and the moment i saw the title of this video I knew it was about this. I didn't expect a video-essay so concise, with just the right amount of observations and posits. Bravo!
You can only win a popularity contest when enough people realize it is just that, and the popularity contest has to cover it's tracks and award the proper candidate or what's trending to come across as "progressive".
I actually tried to replicate it while doing my short film. It's pretty difficult, but the result speaks for itself. What's more, I now understand why he shoots his work on Red in crazy resolutions, since to achieve this effect sometimes you need to tweak your footage in post.
One thing you forgot is he shoots in 6k so that he can pan and zoom in post. So camera moves can be close but not perfect. What you have to worry about though is camera blur with these moves.
Good shit I forgot I was even watching a video and it felt a lot longer that 5 minutes first time watcher and I can already tell you would be a great writer
Tony, if you read this: F*** university! Make some new videos. Just live at your moms house and work in the local wallmart. That's totaly ok and respactable enough for me.
That choice of music for the video.. I started to listen to this percussion (just stumbled upon this channel), and 5 minutes after I was like 'what'. Captivating.
The speed of the cameraman and the actor keeping in sync is not some magical Choreography Between the cinematography artist and the actors. It's actually shot on a full frame and done post production with panning and tracking tools. Excellent effect though, I agree.
Raymond Stella and Robert Zemeckis did camera operation like that in the 80's and 90's before computers could even do that. A good operator can work magic, man.
Yes, he does that. But this technique covers only a fraction of the shots, if this was all there was to the effect he wouldn't manage the tracking shots, for instance.
Thats why the social network is why favorite movie from Fincher. It captures quick dialogue from Aaron sorkin, and the beautuiful camera usage from Fincher. Two Gods working together!
See I don't think it makes things more personal, I think it is part of the reason his movies are so unsettling and omniscient. When the camera follows them perfectly, more perfectly than my eye, it betrays an obsessive focus, a superhuman, voyeuristic gaze. I think it's the key to the strange omniscience we sense, the camera knows exactly where and how quickly the character will move.
I come back to this video again and again, it's such a great breakdown of this element of Fincher's style, and I think it highlights just why he's one of the best, if not the best, directors of his time. That shot with Downey Jr. sliding on to the office chair in Zodiac always stands out to me as particularly incredible, and I wonder how many takes they had to do for it.
The same thing happened to me after i read dostojewskis crime and punishment because he describes the reactions of the characters in the dialogs in such detail so he creates the same effect. Just with words...crazy😂
seriously...!! DAMN! I have noticed about Fincher's camera movements but never realized that YES... camera is totally bounded with the actor. Their motions are always registered in camera. DAMN! I am sitting here in all AWE. Too good man!
You might almost say, that Fincher has a very particular set of skills. Skills he has acquired over a very long career. Skills that make him a nightmare for people like you. If you watch his films now, that'll be the end of it. But if you don't, you will look for shots, you will find them, and they will consume you! Good luck.
After this and the Dylan videos on "All Along the Watchtower" (which I have always considered to be more of a painting than a song) and "Tangled Up in Blue" I can safely tell you that you have a lifelong subscriber. You never come off pretentious or haughty and are always informative. I can't wait to see more.
Benish Ben, Alien 3 doesn't count because Fincher knows it's shit and it was pretty much all the producers' fault that it was bad. They changed too much, Fincher didn't agree on pretty much all of it.
Every beginner Fincher wannabe filmmaker trying to copy Fincher by the greenish color grading, but every one of them missing his camera work. This is the best and most illuminating Fincher analysis I've ever seen.
I worked for David on House of Cards. MANY MANY MANY takes. He's not just obsessed with movement. He's obsessed with EVERYTHING in the frame. We were working in the Russo's Office set for 45 minutes getting everything right after rehearsing a scene with Cory. David enters. Room gets quiet. We were sure we had everything perfect. He says: "the desk is off by 1.5 inches." Sec decorator pulls his tape saying, "i just leveled the desk---oh. It is. 1.25 inches off." David goes "Great. Let's fucking shoot this." And walks to video village. Working for him is like being in film industry bootcamp, but it honestly holds you accountable for the quality of your work. If you're bad--he'll probably embarrass you a little. But when he says "I like this. Do this more." It validates all the hours of sleep you've missed while working 18 hour days.
This was really cool to read. Thank you. :) My husband and I were just watching Mindhunter and I muttered out loud how many takes it must have been during a scene with particularly snappy back-and-forth banter and he was just like "oh god" as the realization dawned on both of us that Fincher does zillions of takes. LOL
Being aware of it makes you appreciate things more, but it's hard to get out of that "oh god how long did THIS scene take" headspace sometimes.
"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right." Those are words to live by, and Fincher clearly does :)
DeadlyDanDaMan Sometimes I hate to admit it, but it has made me my own "perfectionist" professionally. After two years on that show, you really learn how to make sure you always have your shit together.
The way you look at it, is the way i wanna look at things for the person i work for when i find my dream job. Amazing.
Dr. House he’s a lot like Stanley Kubrick in that respect
One thing that is not said in this video is that Fincher shoots 6 or 8K but only uses 4K.
So what is shown in the final film is only a part of the frame actually recorded.
Which then allows him to adjusts pans, tilts and camera stabilization a lot more than if he didn't have all that wiggle room.
Yes! Even back in the day when Fincher shot on 35mm film. Se7en was shot on Super 35mm film, the theatrical release version cropped top and bottom to 1:2.35. So there is a LOT of headroom to adjust and re-frame.
In other words, Fincher doesn't know what he wants, and finalizes it in edit, and over shoots, and over frames so that he gets it right in "edit". Duh! anyone can do that. It's Hitchcock or Cameron who frame exactly what they want to frame, and don't shoot in 8k to "figure" out their scenes later. In fact 4k and 8k is making all the new filmmakers hacks and bad filmmakers, because they think they can go back and re-frame a larger crop to their liking, instead of framing the scene exactly the way it should be. They cover their lack of mise en sense because they have an 8k to play with. hogwash.
DE Fiverr well I would add lighting and color as well. Fincher heavily relies on color grading. BUT there is a lot that cannot (at least not yet) be done or changed dramatically in post such as tracking shots, blocking, perspective and depth-of-field.
Yes: with film you need to get it right in camera - or you'll lose valuable real estate (resolution). I would mention Stanley Kubrick as a master of framing, lens choice, lighting/exposure and camera work in general.
DE Fiverr "In fact 4k and 8k is making all the new filmmakers hacks and bad filmmakers"
Classic case of "It has to be hard for the artist to be good art"
+truefilm Funny, I've read the exact opposite was the case. Of course there is color grading, but from what I understand, Fincher makes sure that the biggest chunk of color grading happens in production design already by putting together scenes that overall match the scheme he's going for.
I started the video, stopped at 0:50 went and watched the entire Season one of Mindhunter series then came back and resumed from there.
I did the same. with gone girl and panic room
I just finished all of his film work and then took a shit, then resumed from there. Felt good.
Fincher fan dude. . I am just going to start mindhunter now
@@MrCoolRibhu I went to film school, made a shit film, then an okay film, then a great film. Then I made a masterpiece. Then I came back and watched the rest of this... on my deathbed.
Asshole
This is one of your best video essays yet.
Yes, I agree. Well, it's one of my favourite so far. Very interesting observation about Fincher. Such a basic technique that becomes so powerful through consistent and precise application. I love it!
You should really watch 'David Fincher & the Craft of Music Videos (video essay).' ruclips.net/video/esIFZnJqYow/видео.html
Already have haha. I'm a big fan of Willems' work!
Is it because he is a good video essay producer, or is it because there's so much Fincher Hijacking going on and we just like what Fincher is doing? Is NerdWriter re-hacking our eyes?!
Lol, I guess a little of both. Fincher is displaying a really interesting and effective technique, and Evan is picking up on its value incredibly well. While I enjoy most of his videos, there are some that I feel are making a big point out of nothing (the Norm Macdonald one for example). This particular video is maybe one of three of his that I've rewatched multiple times - and I think that's what I love so much about it.
Haven't had one of your videos fuck my shit up this bad in ages. Love learning that much in 5 minutes, incredible video 👍
absolute cookery 11/10
Very cool video and it puts a finger on something I've definitely noticed - a side effect of 'binging' long form narratives is that they definitely stick with you, usually in the short term of a day max. After a season of Torchwood I realized I was being kind of an asshole to people around me because everything I said was an attempt at a quick, witty quip - after watching Limmy's show for a while I have to fight the urge to put on a bad scottish accent. After watching hours of American Horror Story I felt notably different until the next day, from the eerie and dramatic atmosphere that fills the whole show. Subjecting your brain to this stuff really does have a lasting effect.
And then some! I just know I'll be looking for this everywhere in films now.
Breaking Banter David fincher is a badass
If you don't laugh you have no soul ruclips.net/video/Pbqr7jjUkDU/видео.html
If you kept those things to yourself, you would have such an edge over all of us aspiring to work in the film industry. But instead you chose to share them, and did so very well. For that I say thanks, and congrats for one more eye opening video. And please keep sharing, that's always the best thing to do!
this is why i love his videos :)
Once you study film theory this stuff becomes very evident. Nerdwriter does a great job in packaging these lessons into a video essay format that isn't too long and easy to absorb. There is still much more about Fincher that Nerdwriter isn't telling you. The way he puts exposition at the forefront of his scenes as a means to exasperate drama as opposed to revealing exposition through subtext, or how sequencing frames in a scene can shift power dynamics between characters. Camera moves that highlight certain behaviours is just scratching the surface, Fincher has a very refined understanding of the relationship between the character and the frame and he can manipulate both to not only hold the audiences hostage, but also play with their emotions.
I've alway thought of Fincher films as eerily interrogative. Not only does he hijack your senses, it's like he confronts you with ugly truths of the human condition.
There's a famous psychological test/question: You learn the secret of happiness. What do you do with it? Many people end up saying: Share it with everyone! - but whenever this happens, they keep the information to themselves. Let's remember that film making is art. We are not scientists trying to compete with one another, we are artists that collaborate together to touch humanity's soul, make them feel what they have never felt, teach them what life is all about. Share your knowledge and experiences with fellow artists, you won't be disappointed!
I wish more people made movies like Fincher! Great video essay!
Now imagine how many people are keeping that kind of things to themselves, and we don’t even know it!
Fincher is a genius. I could re-watch his movies more than any other filmmaker. They’re so magnetic and engrossing, especially when he collaborates with Trent Reznor.
Trent Reznor is great. The Social Network score that he did was amazing.
its really cool you went out of your way to reconstruct the techniques you are breaking down.
It's a crime Fincher hasn't got an Oscar
paul baker wait really ?
You know who else hasn’t got one? Some of the greatest directors in the history of film.
Oscars or most award ceremonies for that matter are just circlejerk.
@David Hamilton Indeed, as the poster above, I agree. People just need something for reference to give a compliment, and Oscars are the imaginary "top" honors one can receive. Most of us know by now it's not just a worthless statue but the meaning behind it is so water down it really shouldn't matter.
true
Oscars are rubbish. They are full of prudes who won't award it to deserving artists because they don't like the contetnt. Make a boring movie about the queen and they will shower them with Oscars.
Now that I’ve seen it. I cannot unsee it.
Instead of his camera capturing an image for your eyes, it becomes your eyes. It causes deeper immersion and pulls us closer to the characters by making it personal versus us watching an event.
THIS! I always notice how my eyes shake while I walk or run, ofc our eyeline doesn't stay dormant while we're moving, and now having seen this videos I'm blown away
Fincher is, essentially, using the camera as a spotlight...
Mixed metaphor...
that's genius
interestingly, Logan Paul does a very similar thing with camera moves and zooms and transitions that match his words and movments
Brock Brockwell Esentially
🤯
I love the way you used real life footage of yourself to mimic fincher. Really gives an extra layer to "finchers reality is your reality"
Great video, never noticed Fincher's camera movements in relation to the character movements, thanks for making this! I would say though that Emmanuel Lubezki hijacks your eyes in a similar with his frequent use of Steadicam, especially in films directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and Terrence Malick; I feel their movies actually stabilize my vision and turn me into a walking Steadicam for a little while, which is amazing :)
Like Stories of Old Haha I've had this too after watching stuff like Birdman
Very true. I'm a huge Lubezki fan, but I would say his work on Children of Men with Alfonso Cuaron is still his most engaging and engulfing. He manages to do what Fincher does, bringing you into the character through synced movement, as well as know when to do the opposite and let you live in the scene as yourself through his camera rather than through a character as your avatar. He's able to add depth to the story and the world by just the way that he shows you things
Brandon Letkeman Agreed
Both Fincher and Lubezki are the best in what they do in my opinion. Their work is not easily comparable though, besides the one being a director and the other a cinematographer... Fincher's perfection lies on his steady (crane or tripod) shots, with the camera making only very smooth moves that are exactly calculated, while Lubezki stands out for his handheld shots and long takes.
Fincher has done some pretty cool cgi long takes as well though.
Roger Deakins is better than Lubezki
We call this motivated movement, and try to do it filming live events like a wedding. When you're locked in with the person on camera it can be pretty fun, like a dance. And it's almost as if their body is moving yours and you're no longer in control.
*their
OMA!
smh
@@SssagaBenches4U OMG you caught a typo. I'm freaking out!
@@thefilmpoets not to be a hater but that typo lowkey bothered me too 😅
@@jennyB07 fixed it for ya
I find that, apart from the director, the camera operator has to be the most in sync with the actors in terms of movement if any kind at all is involved even if it doesn’t move with them, per se.
I noticed it long ago in 7 when Brad Pitt finds the head in the box and goes through all of his emotions pointing the gun at Kevin Spacey. The camera moves with him in such a way it's like he wants to hide everything because he's so uncomfortable but the camera won't let him. Almost like the camera makes him shoot.
YES! That's EXACTLY how I took it. It was like following someone while doing a documentary and they're trying to avoid you like fuck off man. Lol.
Watch the chase scene with Somerset, Mills and Doe. The camera flows with Doe, he's like a graceful ghost. The camera flails, hurries and stumbles about around Mills. Somerset's camera work is hurried too but not as wild as Mills.
I LOVE Seven. Perfect in every way.
The camera eats him.
Like representation of his wrath.
he could make a 90 minute movie about mowing your lawn incredible to view.
Is it only me or is the music choice for this video spot on ? :)
Ya kinda makes me think of a killer hiding from a cop he's running from this cop isnt a regular cop the cop is a crooked cop wanting to kill the serial killer
Because it's from a Fincher movie lol.
@@Yes123786 really? well that explains it then :D
@@janaberec7355 Yes, it's from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Didn't notice it at first ... now CANT STOP NOTICING.. AHHHHH
Fincher is easily my favorite living director.
Before The Credits I can't decide my favorite between Alfonso Cuarón, Fincher and Park Chan-wook.
Oh. My. God.
My mind just exploded.
I've noticed this Fincher-effect myself just haven't known what was causing it.
Brilliant. Essay.
Best channel on youtube.
Mindhunter is incredible! Not that I expected any less of Fincher.
Malia Intikhab You want a sandwich?
The scenes with the invisible cat, the tuna tin and homegirl are pure dope. But the scene where homegirl and the two dudes are in the elevator after coming from the boss's office...is so good ...that you know they are all going to break into a gang smile. Sublime.
videofullhd.info/48_ftsgbsns88.html
Too bad for Girl with the Dragon Tattoo :( wasted potential
PLEASE i am really trying to make my video series for My youtube if anyone could Check it out and tell me what you think that would be amazing 😃
Yes! Glad I'm not the only one whose life seems cinematic as fuck after I watch a Fincher joint
Sandy I was talking fast as fuck after watching Sorkin too
David Fincher is so artistic. I wasn’t even born in the 70s but I honestly feel the nostalgia of the 70s when I watch this. It’s crazy. Don’t ask me to elaborate. He’s a genius.
What I love, what I really love about this channel that you don't speak slowly. Some channels make me feel like their speaking to a two year old.
I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.
I am Jill's nipple.
I am Jack's colon. I get cancer and kill Jack.
I am Jack’s raging bile duct.
I am Jack's broken heart
Song: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross -"Oraculum" from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie, directed by...David Fincher
Legend, thank you!
Interestingly, this was a song that wasn't actually included in the movie
Don't you just love that
I'm so glad to have discovered this channel
same here
This is insane. I just watched Se7en, which prompted me to rewatch Fight Club, and Zodiac, and Benjamin Button. And then literally 6 hours after I finished my partial Fincher marathon, this video shows up on my feed.
Oh I'll make sure to check out Mindhunter.
Lol the same. Cinema sins made me watch Se7en. Note this
Check out mindhunter, not all the episodes are directed by him, but if you like the topics in his films you’ll like it anyways
if you're watching Nerdwriter you owe it to yourself to stop watching CinemaSins ;) Just trust me, that guy has zero understanding of film or "satire". He's not good.
i think he does have an understanding of film, he's just a comedy channel that has to make two videos a day, so of course there'll be stupid sins in there.
This channel makes me appreciate popular movies on a waaaaaaaay different level. Amazing!
Just binged Mindhunters over the weekend, and I loved watching for the subtle camera movements when I started feeling a certain way- especially those slow, subtle dolly-ins "drawing" you in.
TheStanishStudios funny, I just finished watching the first episode of Mindhunter not 10 minutes ago, and this pops up
Uhhmm.... Wouldn't anyone gonna mention how this video incorporated Fincher's technique by showing us the glass scene without camera movement at 0:20, then with camera movement at 4:35?
It's smart moves like these that make me like this channel! ☺
Oh, but what about 2:03? 👍 i only saw it the second time
Or how he looks left to be able to put the glass down on the left
Holy shit
Holy moly I was just about to write this. I also thought that the first one had the camera move with the glass both times. So that after watching the video we would notice the camera movement only after it was explained.
It's like in the beginning he was still learning what was Fincher's secret, so the camera movements are not perfect yet. At the end of the video he understood it, so he corrects the scene. Brilliant.
How did I not notice this? It is so deliberate yet so sly. It feels so natural to move with a central figure you don't notice it. Amazing skill.
Wow! That's why I was so terrified when Ed Kemper of MindHunter stood up to Agent Ford.
I was prepared to leap, but frozen in place.
Dammit, I already binged Season 2.
Thank you for the explanation.
I thought you were John Krasinski at 0:11
Andrew Leonardi i
Omg I cant unsee it
Me too omg
saaaaaaame
same!
Man, as an actor, i really appreciate videos like this- that not only tie in elements of filmmaking and editing and such- but how an actors performance ties in with it. Especially with the "emotion" bit near the end there.
David Fincher is a true artist living among us and I don't use the word 'artist' lightly...he should be among the greats in the future if he isn't already...thank you Nerdwriter for this video..will be waiting for the next one..
The connection between motion and emotion is so powerful. If we think of the camera like an eye, how the camera moves is how we as the viewer move as well. When we start to emotionally connect with a character we can slowly push the camera in, during a big reveal we can see things from a new perspective by changing into a bird's eye view.
Mssubbulakshmi songs
This video essay was a revelation. In 5 minutes and 30 seconds, you managed to articulate what I have loved about Fincher's films since I first saw The Game in theaters in 1997, but could never put my finger on. Great job! 👏
Great analysis!
It’s funny because I’ve always subconsciously noticed it, but it never became so obvious until you pointed it out. I wonder how it’ll effect my view of Fincher’s films now that I’m consciously aware.
Welcome to art. So much of art works on the subconscious that people dismiss its complexity. The more you learn the more fun it is.
Congrats you just hijacked my eyes did as well, I been searching for and long time why fincher’s film can leave me in such an shock after watching it despite it being full of simple action
Great Essay! I love Fincher's work and as a Director I've studied many of his films, but your breakdown was like the light bulb going off. You Nailed it! and I gotta say THANK YOU!
I adore Fincher and have been waiting for you to cover him!
I have, but I just watched again. Great video!
I have, but I just watched again. Great video!
I also think that how we release certain bursts of satisfaction when we watch a dancer/stuntman/any choreographed act hit the cue perfectly. It’s the same with finchers camera movement, the actors hit the emotional and visual cue perfectly and it pairs up so nicely with the pacing he sets and ofc the editing that goes into creating the masterpieces that he does. This is the reason why I finished half seasons of Mindhunter in a day and you can’t skip his movies once you start watching them, especially fight club and the social network. It is very very difficult to take your eyes off of screen and the engagement certainly works for better story telling as the viewer is not missing any detail, Literally!
Top notch video. David Fincher is by far my favourite director. Love your work man, keep it up!
The Trilogy is complete, the first director to be covered by all 3 of the best video essayists (nerdwriter, every frame, kaptainkristian)
Billy Moir what about now you see it
Cyber Cupcake oh damn, where is now you see it's fincher video
Fincher is my favourite director and I’d never really been aware of this. Every day is a school day, thank you for opening my mind a bit more.
Damn this was such an intense video
Love it
Arno Online as intense as Fischer’s movies
Thank you for this video. Really thought me a lot.
Already applied in my current shooting.
Love your mind.
Great vid man, Fincher's style is extremely unique. To my knowledge he gets his shots by overscanning when he shoots. This means he can re frame in post and give it that "omnipotent" and "cold" feeling you talk about. Its awesome.
Number 1 on trending. America waits every Wednesday.
I do!
he claims ever Wednesday but that Is a LIE
Finally, A video that actually Deserves to be on there... strange isn't it
Pakistani Reactions jo baat hai!
PLEASE i am really trying to make my video series for My youtube if anyone could Check it out and tell me what you think that would be amazing 😃
Haha maybe it's just me but watching this video was somehow really intense
It's the shitty soundtrack that made it faux exciting for no reason
Vincent Knight it was the African jungle music lol
You dont have to watch this in tents
The score is from one of Finchers films. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo I believe.
Rewatching this because it made the 9th spot on my list of best vides uploaded to RUclips this year. This made me change the way I watch Fincher films, which I love. Thanks for pointing out his camera movements!
People call his camerawork omniscient because it resembles a video game.
Thank you. Fincher is my favorite director.
Keep up the good work.
"Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" Is such an underrated movie.
Nah it's rated just fine
I didn't like it.. too convoluted and while this may sound ironic given how perfectionist Fincher is.. I felt it was rushed..
But as you can tell from my name and picture.. I am a Fincher fan..
I read the trilogy and it actually felt more faithful than the local adaptations. My favorite of 2011 and so disappointed they didn't make the rest.
"Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" Social Justice Warrior run amoke with ultra violence. We've got enough of that in the real world. No, thanks.
You outdid yourself again. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you devote to theses videos. You count among those who do this young media justice
Yesssss a Nerdwriter video on Fincher bless the fuck up 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
go back to collider
If you don't laugh you have no soul ruclips.net/video/Pbqr7jjUkDU/видео.html
THE SOCIAL NETWORK IS SUCH A GOOD MOVIE FUUUUUUUUUUCK
Braxx best movie of 21st century no joke
ivan denona k I don't know about that, but yeah it's really good
Agreed. It's honestly perfect, in my opinion. Can't find a flaw in it at all
It's my favourite movie ever
it really was. as tough of an idea to tackle, that movie was so well made that at times you felt like you were in the room with the people.
Almost every time I see a video you made I think to myself “I haven’t thought about it that way before” very refreshing!
Thanks
"Oraculum" from the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack is the name of the song for anyone wondering
Don’t think I didn’t notice “Painted Sun In Abstract” at the end... Love that song
I can't believe I never noticed that ! This seems so obvious after you realized all these camera moves. I think the facts that the movements are perfectly adjusted in post make them almost undetectable for the brain. Awesome video !
Now I understand where that weird immersive quality of his movies comes from
This was great! I recently watched all of Mindhunter (and rewatching it currently) to get more of an understanding of why I thought I was reading and understanding where characters were coming from and going before the show would outright tell me, and I think you answered that in this with Fincher's fascination of behaviour! I really need to start working on my own video essays though as I admire your work so much and really want to try my own. They'll be nowhere near as good but hey, gotta start somewhere :)
I read he does this on wikipedia, and the moment i saw the title of this video I knew it was about this. I didn't expect a video-essay so concise, with just the right amount of observations and posits. Bravo!
The fact that David Fincher has never won the Oscars for Best Director just shows how the Oscars is a big fuckin joke.
He should've at least won for The Social Network. Even with Sorkin's script that film could've easily been a boring watch if someone else directed it.
Calm down even Nolan didn’t. With all his stories and cinematography .
His day could still come. How many movies did The Coens have behind them?
He will win some day, he has an Emmy which is more important nowadays.
You can only win a popularity contest when enough people realize it is just that, and the popularity contest has to cover it's tracks and award the proper candidate or what's trending to come across as "progressive".
I actually tried to replicate it while doing my short film. It's pretty difficult, but the result speaks for itself. What's more, I now understand why he shoots his work on Red in crazy resolutions, since to achieve this effect sometimes you need to tweak your footage in post.
and also Fincher's camera movements are very smooth like there's barely even a shake !
One thing you forgot is he shoots in 6k so that he can pan and zoom in post. So camera moves can be close but not perfect. What you have to worry about though is camera blur with these moves.
John Ta true
Good shit I forgot I was even watching a video and it felt a lot longer that 5 minutes first time watcher and I can already tell you would be a great writer
These subtle details....... the camera movement.... make me want to go over Finch's entire filmography; my God you are good!
That would explain why the basement scene in Zodiac is easily the most terrifying and uncomfortable experience I have ever been through
Fincher rocks it every time - genius! "Dragon Tattoo" was incredible...
I'm an enormous fincher fan and this very thing is something which I've always been aware of but ever been able to verbalise. Excellent observation!
Awesome breakdown!
JRD , never knew you guys would be here
#DoTheThing
When does Tony start making videos again? He's just the best film school in the world.
Still snowed under with work at his uni
His work is done
Tony, if you read this: F*** university! Make some new videos. Just live at your moms house and work in the local wallmart. That's totaly ok and respactable enough for me.
He works for the criterion collection now. There are a few video essays by him on their channel
NOCTURNUS FILM mo
That choice of music for the video.. I started to listen to this percussion (just stumbled upon this channel), and 5 minutes after I was like 'what'. Captivating.
You’re my “Every Frame a Painting” nicotine patch
But I neeeeedd ittttt! The patches aren't doing the trick anymore.
John Dorian uhg so true
Need more
Lauren Bennett 2 years since last video! The humanity!!
Holy shit. You're right. Can't believe I never noticed this before.
Never looked at a Fincher movie that way. Now it’s impossible to unsee it. Thanks for this video and for the great work you’re doing!!
The speed of the cameraman and the actor keeping in sync is not some magical Choreography Between the cinematography artist and the actors. It's actually shot on a full frame and done post production with panning and tracking tools. Excellent effect though, I agree.
Raymond Stella and Robert Zemeckis did camera operation like that in the 80's and 90's before computers could even do that. A good operator can work magic, man.
Roberto Horacio De Lugo yeah but now thanks to cgi they don't have to, and fincher doesn't have to
One can tell when a digital effect in post and when it's good operation.
Is there a video showing this?
Yes, he does that. But this technique covers only a fraction of the shots, if this was all there was to the effect he wouldn't manage the tracking shots, for instance.
holy cow. awesome
Exactly my reaction.
Thats why the social network is why favorite movie from Fincher. It captures quick dialogue from Aaron sorkin, and the beautuiful camera usage from Fincher. Two Gods working together!
See I don't think it makes things more personal, I think it is part of the reason his movies are so unsettling and omniscient. When the camera follows them perfectly, more perfectly than my eye, it betrays an obsessive focus, a superhuman, voyeuristic gaze. I think it's the key to the strange omniscience we sense, the camera knows exactly where and how quickly the character will move.
"This isn't even my desk"
I watched this video maybe 10 times in the last month. I just love coming back to it. Great job.
Great insights as always 😋
This might be your most insightful video.
I come back to this video again and again, it's such a great breakdown of this element of Fincher's style, and I think it highlights just why he's one of the best, if not the best, directors of his time. That shot with Downey Jr. sliding on to the office chair in Zodiac always stands out to me as particularly incredible, and I wonder how many takes they had to do for it.
Thought it said "Finger" instead of "Fincher". Was not disappointed.
ok?
How finger hijacks your ass
Either way, you're in for a good time ;)
David Fincher also makes some really good Music Videos.Look up Nine inch Nails' "Only".That song and the music video featuring it is quite reflective.
Darkness Prevails indeed
The same thing happened to me after i read dostojewskis crime and punishment because he describes the reactions of the characters in the dialogs in such detail so he creates the same effect. Just with words...crazy😂
seriously...!! DAMN! I have noticed about Fincher's camera movements but never realized that YES... camera is totally bounded with the actor. Their motions are always registered in camera. DAMN! I am sitting here in all AWE. Too good man!
Top 6-7ish greatest directors ever IMHO.
Ole Okie Watson Really, that high up?
Thanks for bequeathing us your honest opinion
You might almost say, that Fincher has a very particular set of skills. Skills he has acquired over a very long career. Skills that make him a nightmare for people like you. If you watch his films now, that'll be the end of it. But if you don't, you will look for shots, you will find them, and they will consume you!
Good luck.
After this and the Dylan videos on "All Along the Watchtower" (which I have always considered to be more of a painting than a song) and "Tangled Up in Blue" I can safely tell you that you have a lifelong subscriber. You never come off pretentious or haughty and are always informative. I can't wait to see more.
#1 on trending! Congrats 🎉
Best director he has never made a bad movie and Alien 3 DOSENT COUNT
Along with Edgar Wright and Denis Villeneuve, fucking legends
HOLY SHIT those are literally my top 3 directors
Hahahah, good, they should be
Benish Ben, Alien 3 doesn't count because Fincher knows it's shit and it was pretty much all the producers' fault that it was bad. They changed too much, Fincher didn't agree on pretty much all of it.
Nicholas Borg Alien 3 is still better than Aliens, so...
Every beginner Fincher wannabe filmmaker trying to copy Fincher by the greenish color grading, but every one of them missing his camera work. This is the best and most illuminating Fincher analysis I've ever seen.
A Fincher picture pincher stitcher
24 Frames Of Nick Okay, Princess Carolyn 👍
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Fincher copies old film makers