This movie is a prime example of the superiority of filmmaking by fledgling but intelligent creators as opposed to the over-produced automated products of today. I was blown away by this movie when I first saw it on video in 1985 … and immediately became an intense follower of the Coen brothers’ art projects to follow. They are peerless in their craft, especially the modern noir genre.
This in sheer informative value equals four years of film school. I wasted my money! This is just magnificent. If Ms. Spielberg, Scorsese and Fincher could just do the same thing, I would not have to die anymore. I ´d be in heaven already.
1:02:54 Kathryn Bigelow/s first feature as director was actually The Loveless (1981) Near Dark, the film Barry Sonnenfeld is referring to, was made six years l8R in 1987
I think this is their best film. Loved it! Becoming better at operating the cameras or the lights, doesn't make a better film. Blood Simple has a distinctive look, and they do more experimentation with the camera (successfully) than most of their other films. I think they were having fun! Cool, cool film noir.
You know, I agree with you. I like all their films, but the "simple" elegance of Blood Simple is so charming, so refreshing, you can never forget it. And their use of color works perfectly to set the mood. I don't know what they're complaining about.
I lived in Midland for a few years. That photo at 0:47 seconds gives me chills. I literally have seen that shitty skyline from the same angle, most likely the same road.
It's funny - I love the strong, high contrast, often unmotivated coloured lighting, the uncomfortable close-ups and the janky camera effects. So interesting to hear them say how it was the budget and the inexperience / ignorance of youth, and how they would do everything differently now. So much great art comes from the creative overcoming of low budget and young people breaking 'the rules' because they haven't learned them yet.
Scary how much they seemed to know about lighting and lenses for it being their first film in any case, I feel so intimidated, what ever looks cool would probably be my idea.
What they are pretty much saying is that they didn't knew. There's a lot of discussion about unjustified lights, which means "somebody didn't know how to naturally light the set". The lesson that I got from this video is to storyboard really well, with drawings of shots that you probably saw in other films, and try to replicate them on the day of the shooting. In other words, to be really prepared and to know your material, instead of trying to wing it
23:10 > Joel -- that's the focus puller, we can't figure out why he wasn't behind the camera. Barry -- but it might explain why the shot's out of focus 🤣🤣🤣
at 51:00, they describe the shot that starts with CU of Fran and ends with her head hitting pillow.... producers stole that and used it in Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Every single discussion with Sonnenfeld and the Coens is mostly the brothers subtly calling out his hackiness as a DP. 👌 Also, at 19:06 we get the exact moment Barry decided not to mention his work as a porn cameraman, "industrials, and . . ."
Instructive that the mistakes and flaws they point out as seasoned professionals are the very things that give the film its style and character. Mixed color temperatures, unmotivated camera movements and light sources, aggressive color... They almost sound like rule-bound film school professors discouraging a freshman (their younger selves).
This is an incredible, informative conversation. The exact thing other filmmakers are interested in. Thank you.
This movie is a prime example of the superiority of filmmaking by fledgling but intelligent creators as opposed to the over-produced automated products of today. I was blown away by this movie when I first saw it on video in 1985 … and immediately became an intense follower of the Coen brothers’ art projects to follow. They are peerless in their craft, especially the modern noir genre.
so great seeing these guys pick apart a masterpiece.
This in sheer informative value equals four years of film school. I wasted my money! This is just magnificent. If Ms. Spielberg, Scorsese and Fincher could just do the same thing, I would not have to die anymore. I ´d be in heaven already.
Jesus, Fincher has hours of BTS on GWTDT...
I really enjoyed this! I've seen "Blood Simple" 7 or 8 times and remember every scene, so it was fascinating to hear how it was filmed and produced.
1:02:54 Kathryn Bigelow/s first feature as director was actually The Loveless (1981) Near Dark, the film Barry Sonnenfeld is referring to, was made six years l8R in 1987
This is AMAZING!!!! Thank you for posting this.
I think this is their best film. Loved it! Becoming better at operating the cameras or the lights, doesn't make a better film. Blood Simple has a distinctive look, and they do more experimentation with the camera (successfully) than most of their other films. I think they were having fun! Cool, cool film noir.
You know, I agree with you. I like all their films, but the "simple" elegance of Blood Simple is so charming, so refreshing, you can never forget it. And their use of color works perfectly to set the mood. I don't know what they're complaining about.
The self-deprecating trio, haha. Plus, it's pretty funny how much they razz Barry. And Barry's "Over-the-shoulder was difficult for me."
I lived in Midland for a few years. That photo at 0:47 seconds gives me chills. I literally have seen that shitty skyline from the same angle, most likely the same road.
It's funny - I love the strong, high contrast, often unmotivated coloured lighting, the uncomfortable close-ups and the janky camera effects. So interesting to hear them say how it was the budget and the inexperience / ignorance of youth, and how they would do everything differently now. So much great art comes from the creative overcoming of low budget and young people breaking 'the rules' because they haven't learned them yet.
Scary how much they seemed to know about lighting and lenses for it being their first film in any case, I feel so intimidated, what ever looks cool would probably be my idea.
What they are pretty much saying is that they didn't knew. There's a lot of discussion about unjustified lights, which means "somebody didn't know how to naturally light the set".
The lesson that I got from this video is to storyboard really well, with drawings of shots that you probably saw in other films, and try to replicate them on the day of the shooting. In other words, to be really prepared and to know your material, instead of trying to wing it
legends
23:10 > Joel -- that's the focus puller, we can't figure out why he wasn't behind the camera. Barry -- but it might explain why the shot's out of focus 🤣🤣🤣
This is hilarious.
Why?
@@carlosalonsoperez2445 self-deprecation.
13:12 The part where Joel complains about not getting rid of the orange sign.
at 51:00, they describe the shot that starts with CU of Fran and ends with her head hitting pillow.... producers stole that and used it in Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Every single discussion with Sonnenfeld and the Coens is mostly the brothers subtly calling out his hackiness as a DP. 👌
Also, at 19:06 we get the exact moment Barry decided not to mention his work as a porn cameraman, "industrials, and . . ."
they keep talking about the house in East Hampton...I assume they mean NY or is there an East Hampton Texas?
Instructive that the mistakes and flaws they point out as seasoned professionals are the very things that give the film its style and character. Mixed color temperatures, unmotivated camera movements and light sources, aggressive color... They almost sound like rule-bound film school professors discouraging a freshman (their younger selves).
28:42 LMFAO
This from the criterion disc?
Yes.
The amount of times they all fret about "motivated' lighting greatly illustrates how UNimportant that is if the lighting is following the drama.
4:06 --- "Isn't Fran soft?" You betcha, yah. X3
Oh yeah?
I think it's their best movie because they hardly knew what they were doing. A lot of competent mediocrity, with spectacular exceptions, followed!