He's right and wrong at the same time IMO. Amazing video, but, those two shots are not necessarily wrong or fake. If you know the dogs are coming, then the camera should? follow them and end with the reaction of the policeman. And the door to the broken car. It's designed to focus the attention on the actor and his surprise. If you put a Bale or whatever coming out that door that changes things a bit doesn't it. I found most of his analysis great though. Inspiring ...
I am film student learning how to direct I watch this video more than 50 times in deferent time everytime I watched I understood more, All I am trying to say you can’t test the knowledge that this video teaches you, I really appreciate the creator if this 4 years university knowledge in less than fifteen minutes I promise I will make shoutouts on big stage as I am your student, Thanks again
Thank you very much! Good luck with your studies and make sure you don't take anything for granted - particularly the hard work and stomaches of your cast and crew. No joke, treat them well and feed them well and they'll love you forever. Same with dogs.
This was truly an excellent exposition on the art of Directing. Clint Eastwood's simplicity is brilliant and Spielberg's synchronization of the camera movement and actor blocking always pulls the viewer to exactly where he wants you to be. As a martial arts enthusiast, I must say I HATE the quick cut, shaky cam, close up fight scenes. They show us nothing. Thanks Dan Fox for a fine piece of work.
Zsht I enjoy Abrams more as a writer than a director because I don't think he has yet figured out how to match his powerful characters with a shot that is just as powerful.
daniel Moulton This is a poor response to criticism. You don't need to be as good as someone else to be able to criticise what they're doing. Isn't that the point of giving the highest ranking jobs only to select well trained professionals? They're supposed to be able to do it better than everyone else, and we're supposed to hold them to a high standard, because that's the point of their being put in that position to do that job. To put it another way, we don't need to be hatted chefs to criticise a bad meal, or politicians to criticise the decisions of the president.
Yep. JJ Abrams can tell a good story, but this is a BIG reason why he hasn't been able to become a great storyteller. It's still early in his career and he's only directed 5 movies so far. So, we'll see. He'll probably improve somewhat. But he certainly has potential.
Excellent and to the point-this video on blocking was more instructive than entire hour-long "masterclasses" by established directors! Kudos to you Mr. Fox and thank you!
Excellent! I cracked up at the Taken 2 and the guy on the left walking into the light in Snowpiercer. Great stuff. You've earned one more subscriber sir!
JJ is mechanics over art. I love watching Jaws! The one block that didnt work howwver, was when the boat was heading to sea and the camera was in the jaw window.
Great points , I agree every great film has a flow throughout the film . Many of the greats understand this . I really apreciate your analysis! Keep it up
Dan you're awesome, you shed light on the true art of composition and blocking. I will never understand how filmmakers can be happy shooting 20-30 cuts on an action scene.....yes I'm talking to you TAKEN2! haha, more videos please Dan....Dan the man!:)
It is a matter of perception; if you as the director want a fight to feel like"i don't know exactly what the hell all happened , but in 10 seconds the opponent was on the floor" then make fast and chaotic cuts. If in contrast you want to emanate the feeling "I am a martial arts specialist , I am always in control and all moves are in slow motion for me, I exactly knew how to block and hit the opponent.. in 10 seconds" then you want more long shots, more overview, more control. It is a choice. Not a mistake.
I get that argument, but its also the same kind of logic that deifies every decision a director makes and says there's no bad decision any director can ever make. Sure art is subjective, but a film like TAKEN 2 is literally using that technique to hide its lack of stuntwork even more than it is trying to show its frenzy of energy and flurry of punches
Stephen Spielberg. Sadly underrated as one of the greatest Hollywood directors, probably because his shots are so seamless that they don't draw attention to his masterful creativity.
Amazing video. I think this video should be shown at film school when teachers are trying to teach their student how to direct a movie. Nice Man! Keep up the good work.
First off let me say this is down right brilliant. Dan I love lessing to ya. Your ideas are clear and comments very smart. With that said. Something to keep in mind when talking about GoG is it was in 3D. Things that look dull and flat in 2D suddenly pop out in 3. Once you add 3D to a shot placing something in the center of the screen does not become such a sin. In fact it gives the Audience room for their eyes to wonder around the scene. What I call soaking up scenery. Depth of field a real must have in 2D makes the audience feel trapped. and confined in 3D, as is if there head was strap to the chair. This can be a real problem in today market. It can be a lot like slow transitioning from driving on right side of the road to the the left. Movies that did really well at the box off sudden fall flat at home. This is why 3D took off so fast and has now faltered. It reminds me of the day of 4x3. People would go to the movies love every minute then come home and watch the same movie and scream what are these black bars on the top and bottom of my screen.! It is a new technology. Is takes time for people to get used to the change. Something to think about. Thanks again love the videos Dan. Please make more. I for one will be watching.
Great analysis on how to view Mise en Scene or, said here, composition and blocking. Great examples. I do not know about all the claims. Though it will get you thinking!
That video is awesome for my learning experience! Thank you for showing me completely new aspects to look at when watching movies! Great editing and explaining.
I love this video, although I do disagree with how you explained shaky cam in Snowpiercer. The shaky cam in Snowpiecer serves to highlight the chaotic nature of the fight scenes, as opposed to Chris Evan’s character’s fight scene towards the end, where you see him in a much more composed state than you would in the shaky cam fight scene. But overall, lovely video, and makes me more interested in directing than ever.
Thank you so much for this. You have opened up my Direction mind once again. This gentle reminder to be a conscious director in shot choice is a great need. Regards Maro Zimbabwean film Director
Merry Christ-mas, Dan Fox. A hearty well done for this essay. What we found most entertaining was the manner of your presentation. All too often one finds the odd essay presented in a grave manner as to sound un-agreeable to the palate. Cicero would have been pleased with your method. Well done, sir.
I'm going to have to flat out disagree with you on the scenes from SnowPiercer. The first fight scene is as choppy and hectic as it is to emphasis the panic and desperation of the risk being undertaken. While the second scene is much more tense and fearful. If that first fight scene were filmed in the style of the second, the feeling would be all wrong and the scene would project the proper feeling.
Yeah I agree with you. This was the first video I made and after bugging those around me with a few different drafts, I decided to just upload it and get it over with. This is one of maybe.. 2 or 3 things in this video I disagree with myself after spending time away from it, all because I didn't bother to put in more effort to iron out awkward or less-nuanced phrases/observations. Thanks for watching anyway Dave!
Dan, you are wrong, in that your observations about SnowPiercer were right the first time. Overly kinetic camera work combined with choppy editing seems to be the go-to style for high action scenes today (fights/car chases). Call it the lazy Paul Greengrass effect. A great example of a creatively blocked fight scene, as well as a masterful tracking shot, is Old Boy hammer fight scene (both Korean and Hollywood remake). Your videos are great. Please keep making them.
@@danfox4969 I agree with your first take on that shot. I don't need a shaky camera getting in the way of the hectic action it portrays. You shake the camera when you're, subconsciously most likely, overcompensating your scene, because you don't really believe the action will hold on its own, or because you're rushed or for whatever reason. And, IMO, no cut is needed from start to finish in that shot. He runs to kill a man. Woo starts open and closes in on the action as you'd expect, but the cuts cut the scene. They break it apart.
This is great. Fantastic analysis. Make me want to create! Comics, movies... stories. Well done Dan Fox. Keep it up, and make a Patreon campaign maybe? If you need any animation, let me know. :)
![ARGENTINA vs. PERÚ [1-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 12](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xtI25ENDDSY/mqdefault.jpg)
3:58 'The camera motivates the action, rather than the action motivating the camera...which is why it looks fake'- Brilliantly put!
He's right and wrong at the same time IMO. Amazing video, but, those two shots are not necessarily wrong or fake. If you know the dogs are coming, then the camera should? follow them and end with the reaction of the policeman. And the door to the broken car. It's designed to focus the attention on the actor and his surprise. If you put a Bale or whatever coming out that door that changes things a bit doesn't it. I found most of his analysis great though. Inspiring ...
I am film student learning how to direct I watch this video more than 50 times in deferent time everytime I watched I understood more,
All I am trying to say you can’t test the knowledge that this video teaches you,
I really appreciate the creator if this 4 years university knowledge in less than fifteen minutes
I promise I will make shoutouts on big stage as I am your student,
Thanks again
Thank you very much! Good luck with your studies and make sure you don't take anything for granted - particularly the hard work and stomaches of your cast and crew. No joke, treat them well and feed them well and they'll love you forever. Same with dogs.
This was truly an excellent exposition on the art of Directing. Clint Eastwood's simplicity is brilliant and Spielberg's synchronization of the camera movement and actor blocking always pulls the viewer to exactly where he wants you to be. As a martial arts enthusiast, I must say I HATE the quick cut, shaky cam, close up fight scenes. They show us nothing. Thanks Dan Fox for a fine piece of work.
+Paul Campanella Thanks Paul! I'm glad you liked it.
'Slick with nothing gained' perfectly sums up JJ Abrams directing.
Such an impatient director who doesn't know how to tell a story through the lens.
I'd like to see you do a better job
Zsht I enjoy Abrams more as a writer than a director because I don't think he has yet figured out how to match his powerful characters with a shot that is just as powerful.
daniel Moulton This is a poor response to criticism. You don't need to be as good as someone else to be able to criticise what they're doing. Isn't that the point of giving the highest ranking jobs only to select well trained professionals? They're supposed to be able to do it better than everyone else, and we're supposed to hold them to a high standard, because that's the point of their being put in that position to do that job.
To put it another way, we don't need to be hatted chefs to criticise a bad meal, or politicians to criticise the decisions of the president.
Yep. JJ Abrams can tell a good story, but this is a BIG reason why he hasn't been able to become a great storyteller. It's still early in his career and he's only directed 5 movies so far. So, we'll see. He'll probably improve somewhat.
But he certainly has potential.
Directors need to know DP work as well as Editing...
"...Camera is motivating the action rather than the action motivating the camera." Very important line!
Excellent and to the point-this video on blocking was more instructive than entire hour-long "masterclasses" by established directors! Kudos to you Mr. Fox and thank you!
i'm working on a short film myself and I must say this insipired me to change many of my shots. thank you dan for that well-spoken video :)
So so so so great! Great humor, great voice, great comparisons. Brilliant!!!!!
Great juxtaposition of what works and what doesn't. I am a huge Steven Spielberg fan so this was especially fun to watch.
Dude, this was great!
+KriscoartProductions Hey man, I have a channel just like this, perhaps you like to check it out??
Hugely helpful please make more as an aspiring filmmaker and mainly a director the composition part was something I didn't even think about thanks
Great, great video essay. Exactly the kind I'm looking for.
This is a criminally under viewed video. Great work!
Liked the little jab at "Taken 2" in the credits
It really shows when a director takes his time with the material in hands! This is an amazing video! Thanks a lot!
+Ivan José Hurtado Barón Thanks mate!
You make me want to watch even more films thanks :)
+z Haxeu Thanks mate!
Excellent! I cracked up at the Taken 2 and the guy on the left walking into the light in Snowpiercer. Great stuff. You've earned one more subscriber sir!
One of the best videos about directing on the net,thank you!
JJ is mechanics over art. I love watching Jaws! The one block that didnt work howwver, was when the boat was heading to sea and the camera was in the jaw window.
This is amazing! Thank you so much for making this video
Hi there, I also have a couple of video's about filmmaking, perhaps you would like to check it out? Cheers
I love that closing credit. Clever.
Brilliant brilliant brilliant brilliant
+Dan Fox Wow man this was really great. I wish you had continued to make more videos.
Great points , I agree every great film has a flow throughout the film . Many of the greats understand this . I really apreciate your analysis! Keep it up
Thanks for taking the time to share Dan - BRILLIANT Stuff!!!
Great video dude! Well put together and really interesting
Marvelous,marvelous piece of work.
Art Vandaley Thanks mate
Dan you're awesome, you shed light on the true art of composition and blocking. I will never understand how filmmakers can be happy shooting 20-30 cuts on an action scene.....yes I'm talking to you TAKEN2! haha, more videos please Dan....Dan the man!:)
It is a matter of perception; if you as the director want a fight to feel like"i don't know exactly what the hell all happened , but in 10 seconds the opponent was on the floor" then make fast and chaotic cuts. If in contrast you want to emanate the feeling "I am a martial arts specialist , I am always in control and all moves are in slow motion for me, I exactly knew how to block and hit the opponent.. in 10 seconds" then you want more long shots, more overview, more control.
It is a choice. Not a mistake.
I get that argument, but its also the same kind of logic that deifies every decision a director makes and says there's no bad decision any director can ever make. Sure art is subjective, but a film like TAKEN 2 is literally using that technique to hide its lack of stuntwork even more than it is trying to show its frenzy of energy and flurry of punches
Stephen Spielberg. Sadly underrated as one of the greatest Hollywood directors, probably because his shots are so seamless that they don't draw attention to his masterful creativity.
really helpful in understanding many aspects of filming, especially about composition, thank you so much
Amazing video. I think this video should be shown at film school when teachers are trying to teach their student how to direct a movie. Nice Man! Keep up the good work.
This was a brilliant video! Thanks a lot for this.
First off let me say this is down right brilliant. Dan I love lessing to ya. Your ideas are clear and comments very smart. With that said. Something to keep in mind when talking about GoG is it was in 3D. Things that look dull and flat in 2D suddenly pop out in 3. Once you add 3D to a shot placing something in the center of the screen does not become such a sin. In fact it gives the Audience room for their eyes to wonder around the scene. What I call soaking up scenery. Depth of field a real must have in 2D makes the audience feel trapped. and confined in 3D, as is if there head was strap to the chair. This can be a real problem in today market. It can be a lot like slow transitioning from driving on right side of the road to the the left. Movies that did really well at the box off sudden fall flat at home. This is why 3D took off so fast and has now faltered. It reminds me of the day of 4x3. People would go to the movies love every minute then come home and watch the same movie and scream what are these black bars on the top and bottom of my screen.! It is a new technology. Is takes time for people to get used to the change. Something to think about. Thanks again love the videos Dan. Please make more. I for one will be watching.
Great analysis on how to view Mise en Scene or, said here, composition and blocking. Great examples. I do not know about all the claims. Though it will get you thinking!
7:12 that was really clever. That character switch had the right line.
With the separated head the video become pouring jokes out of nowhere. Loving it.
Great, great video. Thank you for uploading!
Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Love your avatar!
Cheers VDSW!
this is yeoman's work, much appreciated
Fanatic video and humor. Wish I met you sooner.
superb teaching, truly excellent !
You made me so inspired:)) Thank you very much! You are doing amazing creations!!!
Best video on the topic I've seen so far.
What a way to learn directing so informative thanks mate
Dan...You are the man!!! I hope you continue to make more : )
+George Michael Bluth Thanks George Michael. I'm still sorry about that banana stand fire
This Breakdown was brilliant
That video is awesome for my learning experience! Thank you for showing me completely new aspects to look at when watching movies! Great editing and explaining.
Thanks a lot for this video.
Watched it again. This is great. Never gets old :)
Excellent study! Thank you.
Fantastic. Thanks so much for this.
Nice work! I hope you continue with more of these.
Murphington Cheers!
loved it! one of the best essays I ever saw!
you deserve more subscribers, much better than everyframeapainting, nerdwriter, and much much better than channel criswell.
I love this video, although I do disagree with how you explained shaky cam in Snowpiercer. The shaky cam in Snowpiecer serves to highlight the chaotic nature of the fight scenes, as opposed to Chris Evan’s character’s fight scene towards the end, where you see him in a much more composed state than you would in the shaky cam fight scene.
But overall, lovely video, and makes me more interested in directing than ever.
Amazing! Thank you for putting this together.
Thanks Javier! Glad you enjoyed it.
GREAT JOB SIR!
Thank you so much for this. You have opened up my Direction mind once again. This gentle reminder to be a conscious director in shot choice is a great need.
Regards
Maro
Zimbabwean film Director
Wow I loved this I'll be checking out what more you got
WOW you are brilliant in your presentation!
Merry Christ-mas, Dan Fox. A hearty well done for this essay. What we found most entertaining was the manner of your presentation. All too often one finds the odd essay presented in a grave manner as to sound un-agreeable to the palate. Cicero would have been pleased with your method. Well done, sir.
excellent
shaky-cam is definitely the trend in action movies
Well done - bravo. And thank you.
Awesome info!!! Cant wait for more.
Thanks! Great work!
thank you for the advice and detailed explanations x
Great presentation brother
Cheers!
Awesome sir, video.
Awesome video, sir.
***** Thanks Martin.
Thanks for the video! I've saved it.
omg i learn so much only in 1 video. thx!!!
more videos like this please!
Awesome Work, Please keep on More :)
Amazing!!!!! Well done!!!!!
This is outstanding.
Excellent, thank you.
Great work!! kee it up.
A very interesting look at directing! Thank you (:
Very inspiring.. Thank you very much!
Excellent video, I learn't a lot from it!
AC Films Thanks mate! I'm glad you got something out of it.
Wow! That was awesome! Especially the old guy ruining the shot on the left. :D
Wow, this is great!
I learnt a lot thanks!
I'm going to have to flat out disagree with you on the scenes from SnowPiercer. The first fight scene is as choppy and hectic as it is to emphasis the panic and desperation of the risk being undertaken. While the second scene is much more tense and fearful. If that first fight scene were filmed in the style of the second, the feeling would be all wrong and the scene would project the proper feeling.
Yeah I agree with you. This was the first video I made and after bugging those around me with a few different drafts, I decided to just upload it and get it over with. This is one of maybe.. 2 or 3 things in this video I disagree with myself after spending time away from it, all because I didn't bother to put in more effort to iron out awkward or less-nuanced phrases/observations. Thanks for watching anyway Dave!
I can definitely commend you on putting this together. Certainly better than anything I've put out in the world! Will definitely watch more! cheers!
Cheers Dave!
Dan, you are wrong, in that your observations about SnowPiercer were right the first time. Overly kinetic camera work combined with choppy editing seems to be the go-to style for high action scenes today (fights/car chases). Call it the lazy Paul Greengrass effect. A great example of a creatively blocked fight scene, as well as a masterful tracking shot, is Old Boy hammer fight scene (both Korean and Hollywood remake). Your videos are great. Please keep making them.
@@danfox4969 I agree with your first take on that shot. I don't need a shaky camera getting in the way of the hectic action it portrays. You shake the camera when you're, subconsciously most likely, overcompensating your scene, because you don't really believe the action will hold on its own, or because you're rushed or for whatever reason. And, IMO, no cut is needed from start to finish in that shot. He runs to kill a man. Woo starts open and closes in on the action as you'd expect, but the cuts cut the scene. They break it apart.
Very informative video. Thank you.
Great video Dan. I'm going to post it on our site if that's ok.
Go for it!
Good video man! I love the comparisons
Amazingly explained, thanks!
Great Breakdown and advice, thanks!
This is great. Fantastic analysis. Make me want to create! Comics, movies... stories. Well done Dan Fox. Keep it up, and make a Patreon campaign maybe? If you need any animation, let me know. :)
You make such amazing videos! You taught me so much in this one. Please keep on making such great content. I definitely subscribe!
beautiful essay
What a lovely video! Especially loved your advice at the very end. Thanks for this, Dan - It's one of the best filmmaking "how-to's" out there 🤘
This was an excellent video.
That was incredibly helpful! Keep up with the good work!
Great video for true filmmakers
enjoyed this
Amazing work!
Glad to see Wong Kar Wai represented
Thanks, this'll really help (I'm working on a wed series) :)
Amazing! Definitely subscribed!