The Kubrick Files Ep. 5 - Where does Stanley Kubrick's style come from?

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I’ve often wondered, why is it that Stanley Kubrick’s visual style seems to stand out as one of cinema’s most interesting eyes for storytelling? Kubrick’s unique style was formed in his photography. Today we are going to take a journey around New York City where much of Kubrick’s photographic work for Look Magazine was captured to see if we can recreate some of his photos. We’ll take a look at some of his photographic techniques that would later help him as a filmmaker and we'll look at his influences and hear his thoughts on photography in order to better understand how Kubrick became one of the most visual filmmakers in cinema history.
Thanks to Sophie for her camerawork and modeling.
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This video essay was written, edited, and narrated by Tyler Knudsen.
Sources:
Kubrick’s Kaleidoscope - Kubrick Exhibition by Alexandra Von Stosch/ Rainer Crone
mcny.og
blog.mcny.org/2011/06/21/the-...
blog.mcny.org/2012/04/24/a-ri...
blog.mcny.org/2011/08/03/the-...
“Camera Quiz Kid: Stan Kubrick,” The Camera, October 1948
Henri Cartier Bresson - The Decisive Moment: bit.ly/2BTOySh
Kubrick at Look Magazine By Philippe Mather
Weegee Tells How: bit.ly/2l3kTLZ
Music:
Acid Jazz by Kevin MacLeod

[@scentline]

I have loved SK's movies since I was 14 year old. It's not just about morals and his viewpoint about human society and essence. I loved his images. My father was a journalism photographer and I used to read a lot of photo magazines since I was a kid. Bresson was one of my favorites. I just knew how amazing his movies were when I saw the famous violent ballet scene clips from "Clockwork Orange(!)" on a art movie TV program. One day, I saw a notice of some underground college film students' study group cinematheque would show all of SK movies in Seoul, Korea in the 90's on a movie magazine. I went there for days wearing my high school uniform and I watched all of them with joy and wonder. What a genius he was!

[@CinemaTyler]

What a cool way to be introduced to his films! Thanks for sharing!

[@SpyanLord]

I know the feeling. I was one of the kids you barely see in FMJ, the saigon scenes. Actually the guy that drives the bicycle is my uncle. I'm totally lying. It's pretty easy for losers to make shit up to get attention.

[@SpyanLord]

"kubrick was such a genius !" did you actually watch any of his films ? Because people like you find he's pretty boring and shining is too scary to watch. Do you think the end of 2001 meant the next step of human evolution that STAN meant to wake up in every human beings, and human beings just went "meh" ?

[@scottpatonlevin2686]

This channel is a hidden gem

[@JindieProductions]

This is like, free film school. Thank you so much.

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

You mean useless?

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

@Jeff Miller I am a filmmaker. I'm not watching this video again to figure out what was useless about it however.

[@jackruefli8163]

I am about to finish film school and everything they teach you there can be learned for free on KZbin and by making your own projects

[@drown_n]

@@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat lol one year later and still only you liked that comment

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

@@drown_n Jokes on you then, I'll like my own comment right now to bring the number of knowledgeable people to a whopping TWO.

[@mitchellpowers5749]

Finished the your Kubrick series today. Specifically the making of 2001: A Space Odyssey and I found it tremendous. I have always wanted an in depth series of the film, and it delivered. Fantastic. So, when I saw in my subscription feed another Kubrick file, I clicked instantly.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

I just saw Paths Of Glory for the first time last week...it is SO impressive 'for it's time' and feels incredibly modern. Really Great movie.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

Watch Lolita again and realize Peter Sellers' Clare Quilty is a pitch perfect impression of Stanley Kubrick's voice. It's elusively obvious!

[@tonywords6713]

hidden in plain sight! so is much of eyes wide shut (kubricks father was a doctor for instance)

[@SpyanLord]

oh look, an actual fan. I thought "the killing" was way ahead of it's time and I never saw Barry Lyndon. I think strangelove is sk's best film because he's obviously having such a fun time with it.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

@@SpyanLord I really want to see Barry Lyndon, but I strongly dislike Ryan O'Neal.

[@SteveSmith-ze5mw]

Watch it anyway. It’s a period masterpiece, probably the best cinematography in history arguably, and O’Neal plays a total douchebag so you’ll have an excellent time hating him more than usual.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

@@SteveSmith-ze5mw Total douchebag is his wheelhouse. He excels in that talent in Paper Moon... I love that movie. Madeline Khan kills me in that scene when she's climbing the hill.

[@Uriel.Cinema]

Imagine getting to eat lunch with Kubrick

[@robinl5549]

Imagine play chess with him

[@R0kushi]

If he enjoys the conversation, then lunch will be going till dinner

[@Leo-ws6cp]

UrielCinema I wonder wha I would eat....

[@stewartbloomfield8035]

and tea and and cake with Stanley at 4 too. stew fmj crew.

[@backlandlands5793]

I love how you cover the history of how things were done and how it created a style. I have a greater appreciation of Kubrick. I knew he was great , I just didn't know why.

[@sclogse1]

"The ideas have to be discovered by the audience, and the thrill of discovery makes it all the more powerful."

[@Uriel.Cinema]

SO MUCH PRODUCTION QUALITY, good stuff Tyler

[@thomasmacisaac1503]

Nothing better than losing internet over the holidays and coming back to a new episode of Kubrick Files n_n

[@patrickclamrod9454]

I might just have to congratulate you on every new video. Amazing insight. Thank you for the care and research.

[@olivia1207]

So great to finally learn more about his influences. Love this series!

[@TheStockwell]

You know you're a Cinema Tyler groupie when you click the thumbs-up button as soon as the video starts. Thank you, Maestro! This latest essay of yours is impeccably written and presented. I'll look into Skillshare - having to hand over my credit card information before a two month trial is one thing; not even knowing what Skillshare is, is another! :)

[@10--50]

This is great! I live in Boulder Colorado and live one block away from the location shot at the beginning of the shining where danny and wendy lived. I only had my Iphone but did a pretty good job replicating the same perspective and view from where kubrick stood.. Even the cars were in the same parking spots, unfortunately the trees had grown at least 50 feet, obstructing some of the view of the flat irons. But it was fascinating just to stand there, especially after re-watching the shining one night and suddenly recognizing thats exactly where I live lol

[@MoncoField]

That's awesome! only problem is Kubrick never took that shot in Colorado...he had a crew fly over to the U.S and get all the shots. He was deathly afraid of airplanes. That's still awesome though that you live so close to that location

[@gzappoli]

Loved it! So well produced! Professional quality!! I enjoyed how you recreated his pictures... Must have been quit an experience.

[@bddonovan7818]

I really enjoyed this series on Kubrick. Thank you immensely for taking the time to make it for us.

[@pacogh6185]

Great work as always! thanks for taking so much care into making these videos. I'm looking forward for the next episode ;)

[@SimonBergeron1977]

Kubrick is one of my all-time favorite directors. Discovering this channel has been like uncovering new infos on an old friend. Your work is great! Comments that say your channel is a hidden gem are right. Keep it up, I'll be back for much more.

[@GiveEmHellMCR]

Dude your videos are so well made and insanely insightful. I love how you went out to recreate or experience the train and street photography situations. Great stuff.

[@1CONOCLA5T]

I really love all these Kubrick videos. I appreciate how in depth they are. Lots of really great information I didn't know before.

[@kylecloete676]

Loving the Kubrick files so much. Keep up the good work!

[@arminprinslooprojects4026]

I've been watching Kubrick content on KZbin for years now and this channel is the the best out there. This is some great work.

[@ArnoGoldfinger]

Fascinating, I had no idea that so much of his photographic work had been preserved. Really enjoy the way you've presented all this - kudos to you.

[@tylereston5264]

Your videos get better and better Tyler! & thanks for the info about the museum :) planning a trip to NY now

[@thokeJackass]

Really high production value! Thank you for some thought provoking content.

[@arsenalrocka16]

I've been finding a lot of video essays tiresome and samey recently, but yours are packed with factual and visual details as well as good editing. Have subscribed!

[@JenniferM13]

Great episode. Seen many of these Kubrick photos before and it was cool seeing what the locations look like today!

[@Deepbluecat]

Awesome work Tyler! Great research, editing,music and of course excellent subject! Thanks so much

[@ufffilm5222]

I love your videos on Kubrick, much respect for your overall expenduture. I can only imagine how long you work on a video like this.

[@erickhernandez6389]

I've been waiting for this for so long

[@Halkin85]

Amazing, you can really tell the effort you have put into this video. Thanks for your hard work!

[@JustinWarrenProductions]

Tyler, please make a new Kubrick files soon. I love your work and just can’t get enough of them.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! Writing a video on A Clockwork Orange now, but I'll definitely consider making another Kubrick Files soon!

[@standrosik]

Beautiful video, you deserve way more recognition for such a great work!

[@ccalvac18]

This series is awesome brother! Super inspiring, thank you so much!!!!

[@dudde1999]

Where does the behind the scenes clip come from at 0:13? The Kubrick files is one of my favorite series on youtube. I love that you go in depth on smal subjects because those are the ones that interest me the most.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! That is from the "Kubrick Remembered" doc.

[@newenglisharchitecture1012]

I have been getting in film cameras a lot lately, and I have to say this has been a very interesting video to me. And Kubrick is probably my favourite director of all time. Great video, looking forward to the next one.

[@KutWrite]

That was fun! Good idea recreating some of Kubrick's shots. Thanks for the tip on where to find his archives.

[@aliensoup2420]

One stylistic approach that I have noticed in all Kubrick movies that I have seen, from Paths of Glory on up, is that he continually relies on long, uninterrupted takes, and uses minimal cuts. I imagine this stems largely from his still photography background, in which a single image had to tell the story. A well timed and conceived photograph contains a plethora of information, and so it is with all of the shots in his movies. He always allowed the actors tell the story as much as possible, while his camera filled in the details and the mood. I think it is part of the reason why his films feel so immersive, because the long takes allow the audience to fully absorb the scene and internalize it. Most average directors rely far too heavily on editing, and use it more as a crutch. They rely on editing to create mood or energy for lack of a compelling image.

[@somethingaboutthemovies5116]

Very insightful and well-made presentation! Thanks a lot.

[@toyfreaks]

Great series! I just started a deep dive into Kubrick and love the level of detail you present.

[@Petroocrazy]

Great video! Thank you for all your work, especially Kubrick related ❤

[@ogier1]

Nice that you showed up in your video! Greetings from Munich.

[@DJAboodiMc]

Man your videos are so good !!! we need more videos about the shining though !

[@joshscobey]

I can see you put alot into this, and it was worth it. This was great.

[@deckofcards87]

Man, I just want to say this is a great series. I watched this one again a second time and have learnt something about Stanley's work method a second time. What also strikes me is the amount of care you put into your production, the cutting's well timed and it's presented in a clear and tidy manner. And while I've got your attention, what do you think of "Eyes Wide Shut"? Is it a symbolic work that is mostly misunderstood? Or is it more of a disasterpiece? Thank you.

[@CinemaTyler]

I loved Eyes Wide Shut! That said, I feel like I'll probably appreciate it much more in a later era of my life (if that makes sense).

[@artbrutfilm]

This is amazing. Thank you for making this.

[@brosephdudeguy]

Your videos rock man! You really have an eye for film. Love your content. Hopefully in the future you create an amazing film.

[@robertzverina7181]

Slightly underrated and slipping into obscurity is Andre Kertesz, a contemporary of Cartier-Bresson whose photos always struck me as being more candid and humane while also highly formal. Some of his most famous shots are of Washington Square in winter.

[@1dbanner]

Well done, Tyler. I'm a massive Kubrick aficionado and this is superb

[@drewpearson4582]

keep going! your kubrick work is awe inspiring. great recreations!

[@chrisperry7963]

Excellent job on this...I'll need to get to that show in May!

[@Skanda1111]

Awesome !!! Amazing! Can't have a better start to my new year!

[@veerchasm1]

Great video, a huge Kubrick fan and this showed me aspects of his career I knew little about

[@CoreyMorrison]

This is just wonderful, great work.

[@jartladder15]

This video really digs into the past of an important artist in an illuminating and evocative way. Thanks!

[@bobfish7514]

This is amazing! Such dedication!

[@purplestonehenge4501]

This is probably my favourite video of yours, very, very nice.

[@lennycarl0099]

Great stuff, thank you for this!

[@Mrmorlam1]

Excellent docu man. Really great to see into this art. Nice use of old cameras. I did something similar with a 70's Olympus ECR camera. Fun isn't it.

[@chopin65]

You have a great future. I can't wait to see your movies on the big screen.

[@hauntedhose]

I love this tribute to SK ! Really well done efforts sir!

[@JoshuaCraigStrain]

Good job , as usual . Keep up the good work !

[@EddieLensweiger]

Yeah i can see the photography gave so much influence in kubrick's films, feels like his movies are moving photographies from his skill in selecting the best shot of an ordinary moment. thank you for this analysis.

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

Great video ---thanks for your hard work

[@twilson90]

Excellent video (as always)

[@duantorruellas716]

If you pause it at 18:37 you will see a diagonal line going across the whole screen , from the upper right corner down across the top of his head , down the awning to the lower left , down the building. As a photographer these are things I have been trained to see. I would have shot this for the angle as well as the off centered subject and contrast . Though many photos and paintings use the rule of thirds as well. To me Kubrick was the pinnacle of those who can see great compositions in the real world and capture them.

[@Matt534Dog]

Hello, CinemaTyler! Fantastic work! These are the best film documentaries I've seen on KZbin, and I am an avid watcher of these types of videos. I was wondering if you would ever do a video on Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. I am very curious to see what you can uncover from the making of the film -- especially in regards to R. Lee Ermey's performance, and how Kubrick worked with him and allegedly allowed him to improvise most of his lines. Thanks again for the amazing content!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! I have a folder on my computer for FMJ that I've been throwing resources into for a while. I definitely want to do something on FMJ someday!

[@jeremyjohnson8844]

This series is a fine, classy journey. Thank you.

[@jeffkay2011]

Excellent video work...thanks!

[@melpoond2265]

Phenomenal effort and content and production.

[@patrickblake7296]

That was brilliant, well done mate

[@MakeSomeEcho]

The photo at 8:01 is not by Cartier-Bresson, it's actually by Rui Palha, a portuguese photographer. The photo is often attributed to Bresson due to its similarities in style and composition but, in fact, it's not by the french photographer.

[@HeathcliffBlair]

Another great insight into Kubrick's work. Thanks.

[@R0kushi]

hey, really amazing content that you putting out, congratulations

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

Great, great work you’ve done.

[@Vujo357]

Great video, well done!

[@Camalamtrom1]

I love this series. Mahalo Tyler!

[@robby_skaz2167]

dude i just found you channel and have been nonstop binging while doing tasks on "escapefromtarkov" you make amazing videos dude. had me entertained and constantly tabbing out to watch scenes throughout all these boring ass missions lmao

[@madameversiera]

Your explanation on ambiguity is perfect, and that's why most people those trying to impose a theory on his films are wrong, his movies simply didn't have one big meaning! When I saw the shining I thought that was ambiguity itself, the twin remind you of Diane Arbus, but also of the twins tortured by the Nazis. The viewer can see different things in his movies

[@Waxalousgalaxy]

I'm really getting to love this channel

[@JoaoSilva22222]

aMAZING tyLER!!! Congrats!!!

[@rid71k]

Awesome video

[@KevinBingham]

Great stuff. Thanks!

[@kenanmorg4677]

I think Stanley Kubrick would be flattered that you hunted down all the locations depicted in this video. Thanks for this.

[@choozlife2419]

Awesome work

[@gedeles4476]

Fantastic video

[@sabritasricas]

Haces un trabajo increíble, porfavor edita más.

[@bigcrackrock]

To top off his brilliance he was also the godfather of the up-skirt. Wow!

[@ProjectE1even]

Fantastic Documentary. Here's to you.

[@warholcow]

What a wonderful video!

[@HanoiHustler]

Owen Harris Shining code nice to see you used some of his stuff.

[@eddienom]

Amazing Video!

[@Frisenette]

Damn you’re good! I can only think of John Hess when thinking of equals.

[@gliderpilot8882]

You have become my favorite KZbin channel.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@zeronightex]

I was wondering where you had gone, nice video.

[@robonick3607]

I’m going to a Boston comic expo this summer. And Keir Dullea is going to be Signing there. You guys can bet your bottom dollar I’m going to ask him as many Kubrick questions as possible.

[@pjr5913]

hey tyler hope you geek out on lola montes someday, keep up the awesome work..thanks.

[@1989Goodspeed]

briliant video!

[@StreamZOfficial]

Great content Tyler. You helped me a lot. Just one small mistake you made. At 8:02, that photo isn't from Bresson but Rui Palha

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks for the correction!