Get ready to be blown away by Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking style, which has transformed Hollywood like no other. With a consistent visual and thematic approach, Nolan’s films are a masterclass in storytelling. But what’s his secret?
Firstly, Nolan’s style is deceptively simple. Unlike the flashy Hollywood norm, he prefers minimal movement and restraint in anything that distracts from the story. He uses computer graphics as a last resort, opting to shoot practical versions of stunts and effects before enhancing them with VFX. This creates a veneer of realism that’s crucial for a filmmaker who wants to keep the audience questioning what’s real.
Nolan’s use of practical locations is also noteworthy. He and his production designers travel extensively to find exotic locations with a real patina of time, rather than creating something on a sound stage. This approach enhances the realism of his films, making them feel more authentic.
When it comes to lighting, Nolan likes to keep faces in rich shadows rather than over-illuminate the subject. This mirrors his characters, who often have hidden agendas or a dark side. He also prefers to shoot on celluloid and is a huge proponent of large-format shooting and projection. This wide field of view, combined with spectacular locations, creates visuals that seem out of this world.
Nolan’s dialogue scenes are also unique. Rather than shooting a lot of wides and close-ups, he prefers to let the dialogue play out in a medium single shot that shows the speaker’s face, the head and shoulder of the person they’re talking to, and the environment around them. This creates a single performance that can play out over a single take without becoming too cut up in the edit.
In short, Nolan’s shooting style is anything but simple. He saves complexity for how he tells the story, with intricately layered timelines and nested narratives. If you’re a fan of cinematography, you won’t want to miss out on these insights into Nolan’s method.
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