The unusual and enlightening process of Paul Thomas Anderson’s celebrated film.
In Depth Cine‘s detailed and insightful “Cinematography Breakdown” series examines the tools and approaches of feature film directors of photography, as well as the visual motifs across directors’ filmographies. The film that is the focus of this episode, Phantom Thread (2017), has a cinematographer-shaped hole in its making-of story:
Here is some of director Paul Thomas Anderson‘s camera test footage, as mentioned in the breakdown above (via Cinematographers on Cinematography):
Further Viewing
Of course, Phantom Thread is an exception to the rule – but it does speak to the question: how do directors and cinematographers (normally) collaborate?
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Film School: Colour in ‘Euphoria’ "Sometimes, in order to get to the deepest emotional depths of a character, capturing a feeling, rather than reality, is more important."
Film School: How Directors Collaborate With Cinematographers Where does the director's job end and the DOP's begin?
Film School: the Cinematography of Bradford Young A masterclass in the director of photography's ambient, low key visual style.
Film School: The Cinematography of Roger Deakins A collection of videos on the cinematography of Roger Deakins.
Film School: Colour In Film with Lawrence Sher Cinematographer of 'Joker', 'The Hangover', and 'Garden State' gives a masterclass accessible to beginners - in 15 minutes.
Film School: Reed Morano Breakdowns, interviews and workshops with the director & DOP behind 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'I Think We're Alone Now'.
Film School: Who’s Who of Cinema Lenses An introductory overview to the glass through which commercial feature films are captured.
Film School: Directing Actors A roundup of videos about the ways, good and bad, that directors of major features work with their performers.