Directing Styles Explained: How Paul Thomas Anderson Directs a Movie (Early Career)

We explore Paul Thomas Anderson's movies and the trademark style of his early films like Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Punch Drunk Love, and Hard Eight.
Paul Thomas Anderson's Directing Style ►► bit.ly/ds-pta
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01:39 - Chapter 1 - Story
03:56 - Chapter 2 - Production Design
05:52 - Chapter 3 - Color
08:12 - Chapter 4 - Cinematography
10:01 - Chapter 5 - Editing
13:36 - Chapter 6 - Sound Design
16:29 - Chapter 7 - Music
19:47 - Recap
Paul Thomas Anderson is a singular filmmaker with a voice that feels familiar and wholly original at the same time. His passion for film and filmmaking is visible on-screen and his constant evolution is something most of us are still trying to wrap our heads around. In this episode of our Directing Styles series, we turn to the first four features in Paul Thomas Anderson’s career. Naturally, we’ll cover his later work in Part Two.
Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Punch-Drunk Love - if PT Anderson’s career had ended there, we would still have a lot to talk about. But what can we learn from the way Anderson directed these movies? This is our humble attempt to understand Paul Thomas Anderson movies by looking at them through the seven main elements of film directing.
If we look at the stories he’s telling, Paul Thomas Anderson is clearly interested in the family, in all shapes and forms. From broken homes to surrogate families, and from nagging sisters to finding true love. If we consider Anderson’s production design, we also find a pattern in how he uses domestic spaces (homes, apartments, motel rooms, etc.) as the natural environment for these stories and characters. Think about the interior of Eddie’s bedroom in Boogie Nights, how his walls are adorned with not just “typical teenager stuff,” but with very specific content that illustrates Eddie’s backstory without a single word of dialogue.
Nobody uses a moving camera quite like Paul Thomas Anderson, from the subtle adjustments to the extreme push-ins. But these aren’t flashy techniques for their own sake - they’re always in service of the character and their particular emotions. In Magnolia, on an extremely awkward date, Jim and Claudia kiss as the camera rushes in to match the adrenaline Jim must be feeling at that moment. PT Anderson certainly has his fair share of heavily-edited moments but it is his long takes that are truly special. Again, he’s not trying to show off, it’s just that to cut away from a character in a moment of emotional catharsis would be to deny them that release.
Music plays a huge role in Paul Thomas Anderson movies, both in their integration with the plot but in how entire sequences are presented. Look no further than the clicks, pops, scratches, and chaos on the soundtrack in Punch-Drunk Love. As Barry flails in his anxiety, Anderson puts us in the same exact and literal headspace as Barry. But then it smooths out completely when Barry finds love and we are transported into something like a classic musical.
So, what can we learn from Paul Thomas Anderson movies? Much more than we can cover in this video. When it comes to filmmaking and especially directing, we have in PT Anderson a wealth of inspiration that we can return to often and still find something new.
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[@StudioBinder]

Color eBook ►► bit.ly/2OFIMYb 01:39 - Chapter 1 - Story 03:56 - Chapter 2 - Production Design 05:52 - Chapter 3 - Color 08:12 - Chapter 4 - Cinematography 10:01 - Chapter 5 - Editing 13:36 - Chapter 6 - Sound Design 16:29 - Chapter 7 - Music 19:47 - Recap

[@CheesyChipDip]

The drug deal gone bad scene where the camera is locked on Marks face for 40 seconds is absolutely brilliant. Mark acting simply with his eyes and mouth gives me chills everytime. Him realizing he's hit rock bottom is such a great moment for his character. Boogie Nights is one of his best movies. Mark and PTA both.

[@jasonleetaiwan]

Yeah, that seemed unscripted.😊

[@akshatpathak1193]

you guys are my film school. Trust me, I mean it.

[@StudioBinder]

We believe you :)

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

What I found interesting about Anderson's direction style is that he uses emotion as a guide for his stories, but others use plot but include emotion just for the icing on the cake.

[@anubisizzy]

erofeb taht draeh reveN

[@StudioBinder]

good point!

[@lifeoffilms1859]

Even Scorsese

[@nrajeswari7683]

What i like about paul thomas anderson is that he prefers characters over plot. The characters define the plot and not the other way around. I have watched other filmmakers who just use plot so much to amuse us. I say stop that and let us focus on the characters. Every time i come out of a pta movie, i feel like i just exited another realm and that's how powerful and memorable his characters are

[@ramdevcalope7653]

PT Anderson is so amazing they needed a part 2 to tackle his cinema

[@StudioBinder]

Yup, exactly

[@Bandstand]

Perfect timing. Just finished Phantom Thread

[@ruly8153]

Do you have a gun?

[@Bandstand]

@@ruly8153 I wouldn’t drive behind them

[@ruly8153]

@@Bandstand Wha?

[@Bandstand]

@@ruly8153 🙏🏻

[@ruly8153]

@@Bandstand Still Wha?

[@shashsrivas]

Paul Thomas Anderson - Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the best collaborations and not many people talk about it.

[@neilisalive4892]

It's a shame PTA, PSH, and DDL didn't get to make a film together.

[@StudioBinder]

one of the best in cinema for sure

[@Scarlett_Azure]

​@@neilisalive4892instead we got JP, PSH, PTA film The Master which is a masterpiece

[@LuisOliva95]

Every PTA movie is a true work of art, it's a journey through the different stages/feelings of the human psyche. For those, and many other reasons, he's a one of my favorite directors working today.

[@Hari-gl2pv]

God please take the studiobinders team to Heaven after death for teaching

[@StudioBinder]

We could use the shout-out 😂

[@Hari-gl2pv]

@@StudioBinder die hard fan of Studiobinder from india🇮🇳

[@seanward]

What if they're immortal?

[@neimanbar2701]

You should do a video essay on Francis Ford Coppola and how he directs a movie

[@ruly8153]

You god damn right

[@insanejughead]

I've been analyzing his films for myself, so I have a nice headstart. I just need to get his less popular films to finalize my own research.

[@StudioBinder]

he's a prime candidate!

[@jothishprabu8]

He directs like a 10 year old

[@avanishdutta2658]

@@StudioBinder what about george lucas?

[@lukeormond9912]

I literally just finished his filmography yesterday, then I stumbled upon this video, damn, magnolia is my all time favourite movie as well, I love PTA

[@captainicealvarado1677]

Oh my god. Just the fact you added Radiohead’s “Daydreaming” deserves a like.

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@pranavp.narayanan316]

I instantly became his fan after seeing There Will Be Blood. According to me, it is one of the greatest films to be ever made.

[@StudioBinder]

one of the best according to a lot of people :)

[@emudeko]

Just had a second watch on that movie everything is perfect.

[@mjacinto]

I loved PT’s early work...Magnolia is probably my favorite movie and PDL was amazing. He’s made finely crafted movies over the past 10 years, but none that I’ve wanted to watch repeatedly.

[@StudioBinder]

They're all great viewings 👌

[@hayleybleho]

Been waiting for this one-looking forward to part 2!

[@shalykxd]

One of the best living directors,I watched punch-drunk love today :)

[@StudioBinder]

What did you think?

[@faiz7180]

Can you do one video about how Wong Kar Wai directs his movie. I'm really interested on how his movies always had this "special" aesthetic to it.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@OziMan81]

Boogie Nights remains an example of a perfectly paced and fully realised tale across changing times. Film school condensed into one film.

[@scottmumford8295]

Brilliant take on a brilliant filmmaker. Can't wait for Part II.

[@SmileForward]

Each video on this channel is even better than the last. Keep up the amazing work.

[@dhrunad]

Have been waiting for this eagerly. Thank you for this one! You guys are doing an amazing work, really appreciate it. The way you untangled different aspects of filmmaking, it really becomes a learning experience. Thank you again.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad the video helped!

[@panchos2156]

Big PTA fan, this has to be one of the greatest KZbin videos I’ve ever seen it has helped me to understand why I love Paul’s films so much :)

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tturnquest1]

Thank you StudioBinder. I never thought I needed this video. PTA is a filmmaking god.

[@StudioBinder]

Well worth a Director Styles

[@joshuamunluo2506]

Thank you studio binder. I have been waiting for this longer than anyone can imagine.

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it was worth the wait!

[@saicharansinganmala658]

Waited waited and here it is the PTA special 😍

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it was worth the wait!

[@cristiandonadi1561]

I love how he uses Altman's style in his own unique way

[@StudioBinder]

What's your favorite way he uses it?

[@rhythmoriented]

So looking forward to part 2. Several other great films, including those which which Imho are the best films of their respective decades: There will be Blood and The Master.

[@StudioBinder]

on its way!

[@teaMmMate]

What a great video :) Looking forward to see your take on his later movies, specially TWBB, Inherent Vice and Phantom Thread!

[@rossjennings8264]

Probably the best of PTA is Punch-Drunk Love, just the composition to see Adam Sandler isolated and trapped in his box. Many of us have had that situation when we’re feeling hurt. And the music breaks out when you have the chance to figure out your true self, finding your true power. And I agree for emotion to drive the story. Plot in a movie like his doesn’t follow. I want to model after him for character driven stories

[@alejandrovargasaguilar6180]

Ready to see this again. I am doing an analisis of all his movies. Now that i watched punch drunk love, i am ready to see this. I love Anderson style and this is very helpful. Waiting to see the second part, i need it now. Come on studiobinder, keep doing more videos PTA. Also, i connected so much with Barry of punch drunk love and dirk of boogie nights.

[@santhoshmurugesan7105]

The most awaited one...pta master

[@StudioBinder]

He is The Master

[@daveedmilann]

@@StudioBinder when's part 2 coming? 😬😬

[@Hugo-tf5gh]

Boogie nights is a perfect film, one of my fav of all time

[@StudioBinder]

it's a great film!

[@kenilmonpara6320]

Ofcourse they had to make two seperate videos on the guy . His style took a more matured and different turn after punch drunk love

[@StudioBinder]

Exactly!

[@tonywords6713]

Kubrickian/Bergman esque.. frustruating endings lmao but endlessly rewatchable and layeref

[@kenilmonpara6320]

@@tonywords6713 agreed!! All the before films puts you on the edge and never lets that punching go throughout and at the endings are pretty satisfying . While all the other films especially the master leaves you as you said confused but has so much rewatchability. And are layered and has GREAT direction . Probably even better as they come

[@buffalo.blackk]

I hope StudioBinder does a similar video on later-career PTA as well!! Great stuff!!

[@StudioBinder]

That's the plan 👌

[@RM-uy3yp]

Studiobinder I'm patiently waiting for Part Two so you can explain how his career evolved!

[@seankovacs4917]

Just in time for my birthday, thx studiobinder, love PTA

[@sprasannamanikandan]

I was waiting for this video...Man..you just dropped it!!!

[@StudioBinder]

better late than never!

[@thegreatgatzby1997]

I have been in the process of watching every PTA film in order, one every weekend. I just re-watched Punch Drunk Love two days ago. This could not have come out at a more perfect time

[@StudioBinder]

Glad we added to the experience :)

[@michamarkuszewski4546]

Please, do a David Lynch one.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@canvasengineer3823]

These are so so helpful. Thanks a ton!

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@ayubnor0]

Fantastic analysis guys.

[@kalle3879]

What great timing. I watched all PTA films this month

[@StudioBinder]

They're all well worth watching!

[@DebangshuChakrabarti_]

Filmography of Yorgos Lanthimos and David Lynch is quite unique and one of the best of our time .. A complete breakdown of their works will be quite a treat..... Btw... I was waiting for PTA's breakdown from studiobinder for a long time.... Thanks for the video... Loved it.....

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@dinanikto]

Your videos are so helpful! Thank you very much!

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@marioturcotte7938]

Patiently waiting on part two. Depending on the day I switch between which era of pta I like the most but there’s clearly a line of demarcation before there will be blood and after. So I’m very interested to see how he changed as a director from early to now

[@chandrasekar03]

Rip philip seymor Hoffmann one of the most wonderful actors i have ever seen

[@StudioBinder]

one of the best of his generation ❤

[@Corrooo]

You should post the second part this was really good

[@deneme56]

To be honest, I did not know about P.T.Anderson, but after watching the scenes in this video and seeing his use of visual storytelling, especially his wonderful depiction of gradually increasing violence scenes resulting from deep moral conflicts, I realized that he is one of the auteurs with his original style.(And his excellent choice of method actors such as Joaquin Phoenix, Paul Dano, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Daniel Day-Lewis in his movies). Thank you very much StudioBinder for this excellent video.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad we were able to introduce him to you!

[@CriticasDeCineEn2Minutos]

Very nice info! Love it.

[@emifuentes7684]

We need the second part!

[@dheaakbarhistory1541]

Can't wait for next video about PTA

[@StudioBinder]

stay posted ;)

[@neeladribanerjee2985]

Best director working today.❤️

[@Jo_SW]

This study is just one of the best pieces of work you've ever done! Can't wait for the the part 2.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@anieltavares7991]

God I was waiting for this one thank you you’re work helps to become so so INSPIRING 🙏🏼♥️

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@seanward]

Early PTA is prob my fave director so I can't wait to watch this

[@georgeco2351]

just watched Punch-Drunk Love and it was amazing !!

[@StudioBinder]

It's a great film!

[@waltermanson999]

This channel is AMAZING !!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@jackscottmovies1636]

You guys have helped so much! even without seeing a movie (Like I haven't seen reservoir dogs but i know how to make a movie exactly like it using specific shots and dialogue thanks to ya'll)

[@arthurandre3740]

Waiting for the second part!!!!

[@StudioBinder]

on its way!

[@krypticunlimited6925]

This entire video just felt like one big love letter to Punch Drunk love, and I'm all here for it

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for

[@StudioBinder]

hope it was worth the wait!

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

@@StudioBinder it was I even clicked on the article and began reading and taking notes on how to make a film and shoot a scene like PTA. Very informative indeed. Much appreciated 😃

[@reshavchowdhury7443]

I am glad to see you guys do this fantastic job as always. But I would love if you guys do directing style on Wong Kar-Wai and Krzysztof Kieslowski ❤🙏.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Antaegon]

"I have a competition in me. I want no one else to succeed."

[@Leo-ws6cp]

PART TWO PART TWO I’ve been watching all of his films and they’re perfect. I’m obsessed with him and I already want to watch all his films again (have Hard Eight and Inherent Vice to go, the films that aren’t as praised but oh well)

[@drewo.127]

1:21 STAN BUSH TRANSFORMERS!!!! YOU GOT THE TOUCH!!!

[@Kyloui]

THANK YOU!

[@ruly8153]

This was ALTMAN-pta The other one is KUBRICK-pta

[@StudioBinder]

solid 👍

[@starchington]

Demme

[@jothishprabu8]

Magnolia floored me!

[@deneme56]

I admire your videos and analyses and I would like to see your analysis of "Once upon a time in America" by Sergio Leone, I think he is one of the founders of the modern cinema.

[@rahulgandhi3010]

Hi, this video was awesome. I really learned a lot from all your content. Just a small request, could you make a video on Clint Eastwood's directing style? He has made some incredible movies like unforgiven and the bridges of madison County, and to me he's really an inspiration. I would love to learn more about his overall style and approach.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@iankobefernandez9458]

yes finally my favorite writer director

[@StudioBinder]

one of ours too!

[@a.dmccormack9097]

Does anybody know what the song at 3:00 minutes in is? I cant find it anywhere. Great video btw. Love the series.

[@brandonscullion]

It's a song called Daydreaming by Radiohead. Music video directed by PTA, check it out, it's really beautiful.

[@tonywords6713]

LOVE The Master. one of the most underrated movies ever

[@starbvuks7171]

Radiohead over Magnolia is something I didn't know I ever needed

[@StudioBinder]

us too

[@holasoyjuansm]

Thank you!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@imatlock7250]

I would love to see one of these videos on the Safdie Brothers perhaps whenever they have made a few more films to dissect! Great vid as always

[@StudioBinder]

definitely keeping an eye out on them. we have a vid on how they adapted true stories you should check out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpTPlpSHZ656nbc

[@aadisharma9972]

please make part2. its been a year since this video

[@craigadams4143]

Perfection!!!!!💯😻👍🙌🤸

[@Srinivas-ne2uf]

We want part 2

[@beingcrazy1250]

Punch drunk love got me on my feet....so much chaos!!!!!

[@StudioBinder]

It's fantastic!

[@bibhuranjandutta470]

Sir directing style of Akira kurosawa

[@shiladitya_chatterjee]

Great video. Can we have one on Richard Linkletter?

[@atila1356]

Say whatever you want, in the part of editing and the long take on Tom Cruise's character, that masterful scene was not possible to achieve without Cruise's amazing acting job. One of the best of his long career if you ask me. PTA is one of my favorite directors, his early style is something to cherish and his change in his latest films is something to study and love, what an amazing director.

[@stickwoodthebrand]

I said it once, I’ll say it again: PTA is the best director of all time

[@gabrielesimone1372]

yes.

[@shashsrivas]

Arguable but definitely right up there with other greats.

[@fruitsy3020]

TWBB is the most perfect film ever made in my opinion

[@StudioBinder]

He's up there

[@ptaramson1553]

I dont think he is rignt now, but he has so many films left that he will probably be

[@Lotsolov4u]

Amazing

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@africanultra271]

Never bought anything on Amazon but first thing am being are all movies made by PT Anderson.

[@vaneyck8186]

Quite good videography

[@StudioBinder]

More editing than video production

[@owlfact8525]

Hey Studio binders your videos are really awesome but 🎉 am excited to know who is the narrator for your videos... There voice is 🔥

[@StudioBinder]

Paul Gregory 👍

[@TheStevekhattar]

Can you please cover more international directors/ directing style? 🙏🏻

[@StudioBinder]

would love to! Any suggestions?

[@jaysvlog9803]

I love these videos

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Just Awesome :)

[@StudioBinder]

glad you liked it!

[@AdeebHamad]

Finally!!

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it was worth the wait!

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

Superb

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidbramslev8165]

YES MY FAVOURITE DIRECTOR

[@StudioBinder]

one of ours too 👍

[@pratikmore6359]

Why you are not covering David Lynch!

[@StudioBinder]

He takes special work

[@filmstonereviews4018]

Hay, I’m just wondering when part 2 is gonna come out.

[@jothishprabu8]

Magnolia is a masterpiece

[@deneme56]

Thank you very much. Please make a video of the directing style of Sergio Leone. You put too much emphasis on Tarantino (I mean generally, not in this video), I think Tarantino uses Sergio Leone's (especially in shots and creating characters) and Alfred Hitchcock's (creating suspense) directing styles in his movies.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@vayamupadhyay966]

Hi big fan of your page can you do a series of videos for actors?

[@StudioBinder]

We might! Anything in particular you want covered?

[@vayamupadhyay966]

Yeah like how actors prepare for different roles , breaking their characters

[@elijah4785]

Need a Wong Kar Wai video ❤️