Paul Thomas Anderson Directing Style Explained — 7 Ways He Builds Real Characters in Real Worlds

StudioBinder October 3, 2022
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Paul Thomas Anderson directing style explained — how PT Anderson directs a movie, covering his most recent films and the singular ways he creates authenticity. Anderson Filmmaking Style ►► http://bit.ly/ds-pta Anderson's Best Films ►► https://bit.ly/ds-bf StudioBinder Blog ►► http://bit.ly/sb-bl ───────────────────── Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to PT Anderson 01:02 - Evolution of Style 01:58 - Story 04:37 - Production Design 06:24 - Color 08:35 - Camera 12:53 - Editing 17:35 - Sound 21:23 - Music 24:56 - Takeaways ───────────────────── If you’ve been tracking PT Anderson’s career, you may have noticed a significant stylistic shift between Punch-Drunk Love and There Will Be Blood. That is why we broke up his Directing Styles videos into two parts — he’s basically become a different filmmaker. In Part One, we covered his first four films and their hyperactive, formalist style. This time, we’re covering his latest five films which are more observant, letting the performances become more interior. One thing that remains consistent between these eras is his themes based on family. A new layer to these stories is his protagonists, who have an extraordinary amount of ambition, which becomes the greatest roadblock in their search for family. With his production design, Anderson is clearly aiming for authenticity. All of these films are period pieces, so their worlds needed to match. Using real locations, vintage costumes, and everything else necessary to recreate the past. Color also is used more for atmospherics than any sort of overt symbolism. Exceptions are the Master’s glowing red pajamas and Reynolds’ pink socks, which illuminate tiny corners of their personalities. PT Anderson’s cinematography in these films is much more observational. Close-ups linger on the characters’ faces as a direct way to understand their inner turmoil. Wide shots give us a full-body performance of the characters surrounded by their environment. And the push-ins keep an observational distance but unobtrusively bring us closer to the characters. Furthering these techniques is how PT Anderson and his editors assemble the shots. Long takes give us an uninterrupted perspective that places us in the space with the characters. The other noticeable editing technique is how we get glimpses into their thoughts, memories, and visions. Since Anderson is focused on authenticity, the sound he uses is exactly that. He barely uses ADR and even realized the benefit of shooting on location in films like Phantom Thread, where the “sound” of the location could give the scenes a layer of authenticity. Finally, music plays a major role in Anderson’s storytelling, both in his early and latest work. Jonny Greenwood’s symphonic dissonance or his lush romanticism gives these already complex characters additional layers. Overall, there is no other filmmaker quite like PT Anderson, whose dedication to creating real, authentic characters in real, authentic spaces. #FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking ───────────────────── ♬ SONGS USED: Life on Mars - David Bowie Proven Lands - Jonny Greenwood Nothing is Good Enough - Instrumental Version - Aimee Mann Alethia - J. Greenwood That's As May Be - J. Greenwood Open Spaces - J. Greenwood Shasta Fay Hepworth - J. Greenwood For the Hungry Boy - J. Greenwood Stumblin' In - Chris Norman The Chryskylodon Institute - J. Greenwood House of Woodcock - J. Greenwood Cherish - The Association Fratres (Version for Cello & Piano) - Avro Pärt Catch Hold - J. Greenwood Greensleeves - Mason Williams Spooks - J. Greenwood Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day - Taj Mahal Back Beyond - J. Greenwood Time Hole - J. Greenwood Alma - J. Greenwood Blue Sands - Chico Hamilton The Hem - J. Greenwood Dreamin' on a Cloud - The Tornados Oil - J. Greenwood Atomic Healer - J. Greenwood Sometimes I'm Happy - Johnny Guarnieri Shasta Fay - J. Greenwood Changing Partners (feat. Helen Forrest) - J. Greenwood Licorice Pizza - J. Greenwood Harvest - Neil Young Sweetness of Freddie - J. Greenwood I'll Follow Tomorrow - J. Greenwood Never My Love (Remastered Version) - The Association Overture - Jon Brion Future Markets - J. Greenwood Let Me Roll It - Paul McCartney and Wings De-Tuned Quartet - J. Greenwood Henry Plainview - J. Greenwood Able-Bodied Seamen - J. Greenwood Vitamin C - Can Journey Through the Past - Neil Young Sandalwood I - J. Greenwood Application 45 Version 1 - J. Greenwood Les Fleurs - Minnie Riperton Lisa, Listen To Me - Blood Sweat & Tears [What A] Wonderful World - Sam Cooke Music by Artlist ► https://utm.io/umJx Music by Artgrid ► https://utm.io/umJy Music by Soundstripe ► http://bit.ly/2IXwomF Music by MusicBed ► http://bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq SUBSCRIBE to StudioBinder’s YouTube channel! ►► http://bit.ly/2hksYO0 Try StudioBinder for FREE today: https://studiobinder.com/pricing Instagram ►► https://www.instagram.com/studiobinder Facebook ►► https://www.facebook.com/studiobinderapp Twitter ►► https://www.twitter.com/studiobinder

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