A Film With No Cinematographer: Phantom Thread

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When cinematographer Robert Elswit was unavailable to shoot Phantom Thread Paul Thomas Anderson made the unusual decision to shoot the film without an officially credited Director of Photography. In this video I’ll break down the cinematography in the film and attempt to answer the question of whether Anderson not using a DP makes cinematographers unnecessary on a film set.
Phantom Thread Camera Tests: • "Phantom Thread" Camer...
Source: thefilmstage.com/lighting-pha...
Source: www.indiewire.com/2017/12/pha...
Source: nofilmschool.com/2017/11/paul...
Source: • Lighting Phantom Threa...
List Of Films Featured:
There Will Be Blood (2007)
The Master (2012)
Inherent Vice (2014)
The Crown - Season 1 (2016)
Radiohead - ‘Daydreaming’ (2016)
Phantom Thread (2017)
0:00 Introduction
1:13 Forming The Team
2:27 Pre-Production
5:27 Production
8:47 Are Cinematographers Necessary?
Music:
Emmit Fenn - ‘Alegro’
Esther Abrami - ‘No. 9 Esther’s Waltz’
Esther Abrami - ‘No. 7 Alone With My Thoughts’
Esther Abrami - ‘No. 1 A Minor Waltz’

[@ouioui1104]

I think that the movie is even more personal to Paul Thomas Anderson. He made a movie about a tailor that is obsessed with every single detail of the making of his dresses while he himself was controlling every single aspect of the way his movie looked

[@VincentStevenStudio]

I'm pretty sure the movie is inspired by his own life. Maybe he has the same experience with his wife when he is sick, he took that idea and changed the character's career from his filmmaking to tailoring.

[@Scarlett_Azure]

​@@VincentStevenStudiohe confirmed it actually 😂

[@matthewventures]

TLDR: You need a Cinematographer, in this case the DIrector was ALSO the Cinematographer

[@blase1854]

TLDW *

[@mariopacheco5556]

Who is TLDW?

[@PioRaschHalvorsen]

@@mariopacheco5556 TLDW = Too Long Didn't Watch. As opposed to TLDR (Too Long Didn't Read)

[@seangalvin3196]

I was thinking the same thing. Video essays have become out of hand when this is the theseis of one. Some directors are super hands on even when they hire a DP and Ive been around some that have no idea how lenses work and leave after blocking a scene. PTA is obviously one of the former.

[@PierrePotonnier]

How the preproduction is described here is the normal preproduction process for any cinematographer. PTA took the place of the cinematographer. Also, having a camera operator that is not the dp is helpful in that case.

[@Hospitaller]

That doesn’t mean the film had no DOP, it just means PTA was the DOP.

[@fremma]

I agree, Pta understood and carried out the role of DOP accurately.

[@Oceansta]

Yup.

[@Trakinasnove]

I always find it interesting when a director shoots their own movies, Steven Soderbergh and Robert Rodriguzes do this a lot, but I think that having someone to focus on this stuff so the director can worry about one less thing is better, and it's always great to have amazing collaborators. But I can't argue with the results, I love the cinematography of Phantom Thread, but would be cool to se what Robert Elswit would do different.

[@jpd4real]

Totally agree.

[@fayewestwood4193]

Cuarón did cinematography for Roma I believe, great stuff

[@ronanmcgurn8062]

Ah yes Robert Rodriguzes Spy Kids has my favorite cinematography

[@withnail-and-i]

Franco Piavoli would be another good example, although most contemporary filmgoers will more likely know of commercial directors like Soderbergh.

[@vb8428]

Scorsese does this too and makes his cinematographers into lighting crew

[@RamiroEloy1997]

Alfonso Cuaron was his own DP on Roma. He definitely learned a lot from Chivo

[@grisoli521]

Mmmmmm................

[@AntonActions]

No, it was Galo Olivares

[@foglias]

@@AntonActions He was his assistant. The look and style of the film is pure Cuarón.

[@CharlieA24]

While Cuaron's own cinematography work on Roma was good,I always think he fell short of what Lubezki could've done on that film. Still really dug those wide and expansive tracking shots. Really immersive stuff. That's what Cuaron had over Lubezki.

[@FramesPerSecond]

Some of the crew think Galo Olivares should have been co-credited

[@matthewpart943]

I love that filming a 'small project' for PTA is a music video for Radiohead. You love to see it.

[@jgseg6828]

Indeed, I laughed here. "Well, you know, it's just a small side project"...🤣🤘😎

[@nikolatesla9384]

I cant believe this content is free. I hope you get all the recognition you deserve for such quality work.

[@neburarieiv]

You can give him money on his patreon account

[@elitsagospodinova7241]

... and may this occur in his lifetime!

[@Eralen00]

Yep, this youtube video is up there with Tesla's plan to give everyone free wireless energy

[@lyne3783]

1:06 patreon: indepthcine

[@oliveribasta5929]

I love cinemagraphy of Phantom Thread. I think is up there with There Will Be Blood

[@arshsabir]

All credit goes to PTA for his lovely visuals

[@SkyLukewater]

The master looked beautiful too

[@bw-xv2rz]

I love it, but it's nowhere near There Will Be Blood. It's very constrained and it's not really show-offy, unlike There Will Be Blood.

[@carissanami5824]

the visual: eye gasm the story: emotional

[@droughdough]

@@bw-xv2rz I think there's a clear argument that constraint does not inform quality. In this case a good analogy would be a piano suite. There are many ways to compose it, but the version with the most notes and complexities won't necessarily be the best. In fact, it's an understood principle that the notes you choose not to play are just as important. There Will Be Blood was a bombastic full orchestra. Phantom Thread was a quartet of virtuosos. Undoubtedly different, but impossible to qualitatively compare. In short, apples and oranges.

[@_sayan_roy_]

Cinematographer denies filming due to schedule Director : I am going to end this entire career

[@johntavers6878]

I saw this movie 3 nights in a row when it came out in theatres. It's one of those movies that changes your life perspective for a brief period of time.

[@theconsciousobserver6829]

I just rented this from the library a week ago. It's one of my favorite films. The scene at the party when the balloons fall from the ceiling? Magnifique

[@davidlean1060]

Are you a PTA fan anyway? Have you seen his other films? I ask as that scene made me think of The Master. I couldn't help but think Anderson was referencing Lancaster Dodd n The Master by having people dressed in over sized animal head costumes. It's a strange scene too, almost hallucinatory, which makes sense when you think Woodcock has been fed mushrooms by Alma.

[@Pomeray8]

@@davidlean1060 check out David lean's the Passionate Friends.

[@shirishdesai8328]

So in short he himself became a Cinematographer.. so the facts stands that you cannot shoot without a Cinematographer..

[@samuelbungo4339]

Kubrick would be proud of Paul Thomas Anderson

[@ruly8153]

Samuel Bungo He’s not his das

[@MacaulayFergusson]

Anderson is better

[@windowsmizu416]

Kubrick was a pretty big fan of Boogie Nights.

[@ruly8153]

windows mizu I know

[@windowsmizu416]

@@ruly8153 Okay.

[@anthonypc1]

This gave me even more admiration for this film. I was very struck by the relationship and acting when I saw it in the theater. Not the kind of movie that's typically "fun" to watch multiple times -- but I think it's been long enough I want to watch it again now.

[@TheAlienGangster]

After Every Frame a Painting went away, we need more channels like this studying cinematography and filmmaking.

[@desanctisapostata]

It reminds of the controversial music question and it's answer: Are orchestra directors really necessary? R: No... But you better be you sure that every single one of your musicians is at the level of one

[@MichaelSBaram]

I disagree. The conductor is responsible for the interpretation of the music, and with dozens of different players there has to be one person in charge .

[@desanctisapostata]

@@MichaelSBaram I know. I did'nt say that i agree but that there's a parallel There are orchestras without conductors, and plenty of professional musicians consider that the role of the conductor is no longer needed and is a remnant of archaic practices and conventions. Again, i don't agree completely

[@davidlean1060]

A conductor is absolutely necessary! The reason being the size of the stage footprint of a band of musicians that big. Let's say a percussionist, standing right at the back of the orchestra, has a part to play after the first violinist, who stands right at the front. Sound can only travel so fast, so relying on his ears alone, by the time the perc player hears the last notes of the violinist, he will in actual fact be a fraction out of time when he plays himself. This is why classical musicians train so hard, you have to learn to play out of time with what you hear. You have to learn to following the conductor visually acting as the overall time keeper, rather than following the musicians around you. It's only a fraction of a fraction, but an audience would hear that something was wrong.

[@matthewbrunson3409]

The difference is with this movie, it’s just one person having enough experience to do another job. In the case of an orchestra, especially a large symphony orchestra, many of the musicians will be capable of conducting well, but the group as a whole may struggle to conduct itself. This can change based on the size of the ensemble and acoustics of the room. A full orchestra of 90 players in a concert hall would struggle to play everything in unison without error, even if many or all of the players can conduct.

[@danielortega2441]

This is really super incredible breakdown....I would comment again after really rewatching the film and getting a deeper understanding

[@TheEnveRockStudio]

How to be a good cinematographer: You hire a good gaffer, camera operator, ACs, DIT and Colourist. Done, ahaha

[@TheEnveRockStudio]

BTW, 40k already! Congratulations! I remember you had 500+ subs when I subscribed on you. Keep it rolling!

[@BombshellCelluloid]

How to be a good director: You hire a good dp, good production designer, makeup designer, costumer designer, etc. done.

[@maxcoseti]

@@BombshellCelluloid was going to write the same comment

[@Frontigenics]

@@BombshellCelluloid No. If all a director does is hire "good people"... they are by definition, a talent-less hack. The best directors know every aspect of film-making and could basically do every job if they had to (i.e. PTA). Directors who just "hire people", are again, hacks. Allot of working hollywood do fall into this category though... with nepotism, money, connections, ect.

[@BombshellCelluloid]

@@Frontigenics Yes, that's obvious. This was a bit of sarcasm to the person claiming that to be a good cinematographer all you had to do was hire the right people. I was being circumspect. I fully well know being a good director is not JUST hiring the right people.

[@AnthonyRecenello]

great video. you broke it down so well

[@saikatchattopadhyay8263]

You’re really a gem of KZbin,don’t know how I came across your channel but now I am feeling lucky. Looking for a channel which understand and describe the technical aspects of cinematography and the practical side of film making . Cannot thank you enough!!

[@ThongNguyen-fl9jp]

Thank you so very much for your channel. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite channels on learning about cinematography. I’m amazed at how much content you’ve pumped out so fast! Thanks for helping us see stories better!

[@thesoundofcoolness]

Great video, your analysis of the filmmaking on such a technical level is really helpful.

[@samcooper-drake4732]

Thank you for sharing! So happy getting a technical look into the film, to be able to put its beauty into words with proper understanding is something to treasure!

[@theartist_harlivi]

This was fascinating. Thank you for the intelligent and in depth breakdown of the incredible work the entire team put into this movie.

[@SongvilayFilms]

Love every video man, I learn so much!

[@RM-uy3yp]

Thank you so much for this amazing breakdown. Phantom Thread, is my absolute favourite movie with DDL and PTA being my favourite actor and director respectively. As an aspiring writer and filmmaker from South Africa, your videos are immensely insightful and wonderfully produced. Thank you!

[@Successfueledintent]

I just came across your channel and subscribed immediately. I love the way you breakdown and explanation how PTA went about shooting his own film. Keep up the great work!

[@gsapriza]

Amazing, so glad i found your channel, loving the content.

[@shannonlouise6953]

Fantastic channel - such an amazing resource! Thank you!

[@artielukas888]

Oh, I’m so glad you did a video on this movie! I watched it a week ago while it was up on peackock and was in awe of cinematography and acting in this movie! Thank you!

[@samwalsh4357]

Would love a similar breakdown of Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA

[@schnoosel]

I don't usually leave commentaries, but your channel is simply amazing. As a small professional advertising director, I'm super impressed by the technical precision of your commentary, and learning a lot with your videos. Great videos..

[@elgringoperdido.]

Agree with you ;)

[@alexanderashmore]

Really glad you made a video on this! Once I watched Roma I always wondered if there had to be a DP and if I could be DP/Director.

[@David-CoolDave]

Beautiful video. Thank you for all of your work

[@pakofajer838]

Fantastic, informative video, the level of detail you discuss is mind-blowing

[@tylerkoch601]

You shined an entirely new light on the beauty this film provides. Incredible video!

[@olegtriers8882]

Such good research! Love this to pieces

[@MrsScorpionette]

Great video - a lot of the camera details went over my head, but you made the technical aspects interesting and engaging. Thank you 👍

[@JayCubPerk]

My favorite director is Paul Thomas Anderson and that's because of the stories he tells. After watching this, which you do a great job at explaining the thought that goes into shooting, I feel as if I want to be that good. I love your videos because they do not discourage creativity but spark it. Thank you for the videos you create.

[@SemanticallyObscured]

I love cinematography but i also love directing and i never liked having to answering to the director and i feel like if i hired a cinematographer all they would do is choose gear and lighting

[@jas_bataille]

That's your perception... if you go with this philosophy from the beginning then yeah, maybe don't work with a DOP. But filmmaking is a team effort at the core. I you feel like you have to "answer" the director instead of making the film with them, that sucks. However, that doesn't mean you should avoid working with a cinematographer. Most directors would totally be able to shoot their own films, and probably did shoot some as well. However, in all cases, you have to work on your teamwork skills to make movies. Whether it follows the traditional hierarchy or not, you will work with a crew, even in it's most minimal form.

[@lux7835]

This is a fantastic behind the scenes look on filming. Thank you.

[@teresatkacik1123]

Amazing photography. I loved the use of lighting for each scene. It set the mood.

[@Nic4K48]

Such a great resource to have access to these vids , thank you In Depth Cine

[@PeterCleff]

Genuinely fascinating. Good job!

[@colewalliser]

so insightful!! thank you!

[@ahighnoonduooooo]

Been watching your videos for a while now and while watching this one I doubled checked to see if I was subscribed and realized I wasn't. I've never clicked that sub button faster in my life. The level of detail and work and information in your videos is just unbelievable. Can't believe you are not at a million subs. Thanks so much for what you do in this community.

[@ishitamathur1614]

Watched the film twice and loved it!! This video made me appreciate it even more! Great work xx

[@Hipster_In_Denial]

Love your work. Thanks so much for sharing these videos. They're a wonderful resource for someone (like me) who has very little technical knowledge. PTA's a gem.

[@rupeshkokitkar1877]

Very Informative ♥️ Thank You So Much♥️✨

[@zeetstweets]

I love this film. Really love the photography as well. PTA is good at that. All his films are beautifully shot

[@CJSPARKES]

Without a doubt my new favourite youtube channel! Love your work

[@CafeCreativeYT]

Wonderful analysis, thanks for the insights!

[@jgseg6828]

Another amazing video! And strikingly inspirational to anyone who, on the other end of the spectrum, have only an entry level camera and no budget for a DP: master your craft and work with your team. Because in the end of the day, it's not about how expensive your gear is, it's about being able to build your view on a screen.

[@fastscreenplay]

This video is extraordinary. To those who fixate on the semantics of the title (“PTA was the cinematographer”), focus on the point and the nuance here. Excellent work.

[@Gasconauxolives]

This is a good production breakdown, thx man.

[@DulinaChandrasiri]

Hey man great content, I don't go to film school so these are my saving grace. Never stop.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Great video! I really enjoyed the research and the pictures. Nicely done! Subbed.

[@notsohandy_]

So Awesomely done. please keep on making these videos. youre the best.

[@afterfall8133]

Well this is basically the same case as Stephen Sodenbergh, he work as Director and Cinematographer. Yes you need Cinematographer because sometimes if you work on 2 sector you could forgot a tiny detail you have made for the movie, and the reason Cinematographer exist is for assisting, providing advice that could enhance the quality of image and the appropriate information they will show inside a frame.

[@Frontigenics]

I agree. While cinematographers certainly bring allot to the table... they're mainly in charge of overseeing and executing the directors style. If a director's work would, otherwise, look like garbage without the cinematographer.. then. they shouldn't really be the director.

[@georgebeech-bank]

I'm curious to know your opinion on Steven Soderbergh, who no only shoots his films but edits them as well.

[@comicsguru2574]

What fascinating look at one of my favorite films, terrific work!

[@beatrizdpc]

Amazing video! Congrats!!

[@elgringoperdido.]

I was always blown away by the beauty of this movie cinematography, couldn't imagine there no DoP in it! Very interesting video, thank you!

[@sakhumzimati2665]

Happy to watch your explanation something learning from us.

[@amandajonesssssssssss]

Amazing video, so informative and well narrated

[@eric.almeida]

I think that this May be the most beautiful movie of PTA. The production design is so accurate, so detailed, that's art at it's best. Every shot looks like an awesome paint.

[@srinivassridhar5151]

the master is up there as well, alongside there will be blood..

[@terencebaelen6374]

PT Anderson is def one of my fav director ever ! Such a talentuous artist !

[@bookeblade]

Personally I find most of his films boring.

[@dejomrsic6093]

@@bookeblade If you havent seen boogie nights, watch it, it might change your mind

[@mikeletaurus4728]

I just found your channel, and how nice that I did. Your analysis is at a very high level, at least for the layperson like me. Thank you for your fine effort.

[@diegoarias7662]

OMG!!! This video was delightful!! Amazing

[@fabriziobotto4217]

Very interesting and well explained! 👏💙

[@PiotrekPomorski]

After first seconds of the video I knew that you, sir, have earned my subscription. Love the style!

[@arindamdebnath6782]

lovly one thankx for the hardwork

[@thewill4611]

I didn't even know I needed a channel like this. Amazing.

[@nerdbot4629]

This is one of your most informative video yet!

[@chrisperry7963]

Excellent job on this!

[@kevinwatson234]

Thank you for this, great insight

[@trivikramhirlekar9261]

Thank you for great detailed video

[@yk3786]

Thank you for this, great work as usual! Another suggestion - I'd love to get a look at Łukasz Żal's process. His frames are always so dynamic.

[@mohammedmahmoud8667]

Honestly love these videos. So helpful in understanding different cinematographers processes. It would be cool if you could do a video on peter andrews aka steven soderbergh.

[@KevsShwaShwa]

By and far my favorite Daniel Day film and Paul Thomas Anderson film. There's something mysteriously incredible that keeps me coming back, and that Jonny Greenwood score is simply god.

[@davidcruz7221]

your work is amazing, keep at it.

[@derg6222]

love your channel. such informative content presented very precise, understandable and compact. great stuff. can you do a video about the cinematography of larry fong? definetely the DOP with a distinctive style who I personally adored the most during my cinematic adolescence.

[@FrenchingAround]

Great video man 👏🏻

[@marichristian1072]

How I love this film. PTA had a major part in the photography and everything else about the production (with music and costume specialists).

[@philipk917]

Fabulous Video! Thank you for sharing it! Very Best Regards, Philip

[@superduperjoi6800]

/ Thread (2017) 0:00 Introduction 1:13 Forming The Team 2:27 Pre-Production 5:27 Production 8:47 Are Cinematographers Necessary

[@kobusjnrduplessis466]

One of my favourite films from probably my favourite director. Absolutely astounding cinematography

[@kylemayo-blake995]

this was fantastic, thank you so much

[@salmanaleyan7521]

Your content is outstanding keep going pal ❤

[@dogdrovenorth]

So...I've watched that Daydreaming video and immediately I'm filled with warm, fuzzy The Radioheads feelings toward the rest of the video.

[@aberzvideo2285]

Just want to say thank you. Amazing knowledge.

[@sdawsonz]

You are a revelation IDC! thank you,

[@rsvjr12]

Great work man

[@user-mp3lr9ox1d]

Honestly...so good. Your content is first class.

[@shupengwen8489]

This is honestly the coolest thing ever, knowing how movies are actually made.

[@waveoflight]

Here in the states we call, what you refered to as litetiles, "Litemats". Made by Litegear, Litemats come in various sizes as you pointed out, and one of the size is the 4'x8' which is refered to as the litetile. They make a 10'x10' RGB called Aurora. I know in different Geographies names are different, but the concept is the same.

[@devanshkamdar8244]

Man, this was fascinating. I was unaware filmmaking was this complex.

[@davidlean1060]

You should check out the Making of Magnolia. Just search for 'That Moment'. It'll give you an insight into just how much work went into that 3 hour movie.

[@shivangigarg9280]

REAL INTERESTING. THANK YOUU

[@lluismartinez7878]

maaan so beautiful thanks so much ❤❤

[@avinandanbanerjee2820]

An extremely well tailor-made video on the eccentric tailor