Master the Art of Cinematography in the Style of Wes Anderson

Every great cinematographer has a signature style. You can develop yours by studying the experts, beginning with Wes Anderson.

Cover image from Wes Anderson‘s American Express commercial.

From Bottle Rocket to Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson has consistently delighted cinephiles with his whimsical sense of humor and signature visual style. Whether you’re a fan or not, you’ve seen it both analyzed and parodied. However, it’s more than just tableaux and dead dogs. Anderson’s recognizable mise-en-scène is a combination of homaged compositions and coming-of-age motifs that requires a strong understanding of cinematography, color, and style.

Let’s look at several ways to experiment with footage to see how Wes Anderson established his signature style.

Flat Compositions

Image from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou via Touchstone Pictures.

One aspect of Wes Anderson’s cinematography (which is heavily tied to his go-to director of photography, Robert Yeoman) is the stark flatness of his compositions. As much as he possibly can, Wes creates his worlds by lining everything up directly in front of him. That is to say, he doesn’t use awkward angles. The camera can move, but if it does, it creates a new flat composition.

• The Basic Rules of Composition
• Observations on Film Art: Shot-consciousness
• 9 Composition Techniques That Will Make Your Images Eye-Catching on a Biological Level
• Video Tutorial: Composition, Framing and the 180° Rule

Create Lines

Image via The Grand Budapest Hotel (Fox Searchlight).

Wes Anderson then uses his flat compositions to create lines (which in turn creates symmetry — more on that below). For his style, it’s important to shoot with long lenses to make the lines as straight as possible. As a result, there are not many fish-eye angles in his films. For his most famous shots in films like The Royal Tenenbaums and The Grand Budapest Hotel, for example, Anderson shot on 40mm anamorphic as much as possible (Wolfcrow). Once these lines are steady, you can start placing them strategically in your composition.

• Static and Dynamic Compositions
• Cinematography Tips: Mastering Foreground, Middleground, and Background
• How to Craft a Cinematic Frame Within a Frame
• The Most Common Framing Mistakes in Cinematography

Find Symmetry

In this aspect, Wes Anderson is by no stretch the first director to make heavy use of symmetry in his films. His style, though, seems to be so popular that he seems to get the lion’s share of credit for it these days. (Stanley Kubrick would beg to differ.)

To get good symmetry, you need to be aware of three things. One, mentioned above, is to avoid angles where the lines aren’t parallel. The second is to shoot long and tight shots without a fisheye curve. The third is your rule of thirds. Wes likes to center his subject perfectly in the middle of his shot but uses the thirds to divide up all the information on either side. Once you find symmetry, you can create stylistic imbalance. Here’s an example wherein he loads one half with a small army of short scouts, contrasted against just two stark characters on the other side, creating a contradiction.

• The Art of Perspective and Symmetry in Cinematography
• The Perfect Symmetry of Wes Anderson’s Movies
• From Kubrick to Anderson: One-Point Perspective
• The geometric perfection of Wes Anderson films

Bright Color Palettes

After he has composed his shots, Wes Anderson’s signature style really begins to flourish. In the commentary of Bottle Rocket, there are anecdotes about how Wes would spend hours poring over magazine spreads during pre-production to search for the perfect color palette for his film. From Bottle Rocket on, colors have become one of his hallmark features as he uses his signature dusty pastels to create timeless image qualities.

Image of one of the Reservoir Geeks on location at the Bottle Rocket motel (Dallas Observer).

You can work some on your own, but here’s an example of a free LUT created by SmallHD called “Moonrise” dropped onto a rnrnLooking to capture the unique style of Wes Anderson in your own filmmaking? Look no further! We’ve got some tips and tricks to help you achieve that signature Anderson aesthetic.

First up, let’s talk about color. Anderson’s films are known for their vibrant and carefully curated color palettes. If you want to achieve that same look, consider using LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to enhance your colors. You can download a variety of LUTs for different film styles, or even create your own. Check out our recommended resources for Wes Anderson-inspired color palettes.

But color isn’t the only technique that sets Anderson apart. One of his most noteworthy techniques is his use of slow motion. Unlike other filmmakers who rely heavily on slow motion, Anderson uses it sparingly and strategically. He often starts a shot at normal speed and then seamlessly transitions into slow motion. If you’re shooting digitally, you can achieve this effect by filming at a higher FPS rate and then adjusting the speed in post-production. However, if you’re shooting on film, you’ll need to use a process called “over cranking.” Learn more about this technique and how to master it.

Another iconic aspect of Anderson’s style is his use of overhead tableaux shots. These shots, featuring carefully arranged inanimate objects on a table, have become a popular trend on Instagram. But it’s not just about placing objects on a table – it’s about the spacing, lighting, and selection. Anderson’s attention to detail is evident in every shot, and even the table itself becomes a character in the scene. Discover more about the art of overhead tableaux and how to create your own stunning compositions.

Next, let’s talk about stop motion animation. Anderson has a knack for incorporating this technique into his films, whether it’s in full-blown examples like “Fantastic Mr. Fox” or more subtle moments in films like “The Life Aquatic.” Stop motion animation requires careful planning, creativity, and patience. Learn how to create your own professional stop motion animation with our helpful tutorial.

Finally, let’s not forget about fonts. Anderson’s font selections are an integral part of his visual style. While he doesn’t stick to one font throughout his filmography, he does have a few favorites that he frequently returns to. From the simple yet stylized Helvetica and Futura to the more decorative Didot and Tilda, Anderson’s typography choices add a unique touch to his films. Explore the world of Wes Anderson fonts and how they can enhance your own projects.

For more insights into Wes Anderson’s visual styles and how to recreate them, check out our recommended resources. From breakdowns of his directing style to behind-the-scenes looks at his films, there’s plenty to inspire and educate you on your journey to capturing that Wes Anderson magic.

So go ahead, embrace your inner Anderson and start creating your own visually stunning films. The world is waiting to see your unique take on this iconic style.

• Discover the 15 Absolutely Necessary Ingredients For Making a Wes Anderson Film