Fincher on Fincher - How David Fincher Directs a Movie [The Director’s Chair]

Director David Fincher explains his personal approach to film directing.
David Fincher on His Filmmaking Process ►► bit.ly/dfin-dc
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Variety's David Fincher Interview ►► bit.ly/va-dod
Escuela Universitaria de Artes TAI ►► bit.ly/eu-dat
BAFTA Guru ►► bit.ly/bfta-gu
FilmIsNow Movie Bloopers & Extras ►► bit.ly/gdt-vfx
Moog Music Inc ►► bit.ly/mo-og
Akai Pro Video ►► bit.ly/ak-pv
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro - How David Fincher became a Filmmaker
02:01 Early Career & Return of the Jedi
03:18 Shot Composition and Blocking
06:19 "Relentless" Number of Takes
11:02 Directing with Precision
13:43 Color Theory & Creating the Look
15:48 Create a Feeling (Production Design & Music)
19:35 Final Takeaways
David Fincher is a director’s director. His reputation for having complete control over his work is well-known but many directors have had similar power. So, what makes his approach to film directing so captivating? In this David Fincher video essay, we’ll let the man speak for himself. Through a collection of interviews from throughout his career, Fincher guides us through some of the strongest characteristics of his directing style.
To date, over the past four decades, David Fincher has directed a plethora of music videos, commercials, and 11 feature films. Along the way, he has refined his directing style which can be summed up in two words: precise and purposeful. When watching any David Fincher movies, you would be hard-pressed to find an out-of-place camera movement, or a lazy frame composition. One lesson we learned from Fincher is how he balanced and imbalanced the frame during Nick and Amy’s first meeting in Gone Girl to show the “push and pull” of their flirting.
Another well-known staple of the David Fincher directing style is his predilection for shooting multiple takes. He famously shot 99 takes of the opening scene in The Social Network, for example. But there’s a method to his madness - he wants the actors to move “beyond muscle memory” especially in their domestic environments. In Fincher’s logic, when the actor sits on their couch, they need to have sat in it a hundred times to make it look like they’ve sat in it a hundred times.
Fincher also explains how he creates mood and tone with lighting, color, and music. With a darker frame, desaturated color, and the brooding tones of Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor, there certainly is a distinct experience watching David Fincher films. While all of this sounds extreme, the proof that he’s doing something right is visible on-screen.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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♬ SONGS USED:
"Father / Son" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Subdivide" - Stanley Gurvich
"Switchback" - Nu Alkemi$t
"Battle in the Forest" - Charles Gerhardt - National Philharmonic Orchestra"
"Chasing Time" - David A. Molina
"Sugar Storm" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Soul Sacrifice" - Santana
"Graysmith Obsessed" - David Shire
"Intriguing Possibilities" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Wendy Suite" - Jason Hill
"Under the Midnight Sun" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"14 - Ghosts II" - Nine Inch Nails
"Corporate World" - The Dust Brothers
"Appearances" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"With Suspicion" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"What Have We Done to Each Other" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Cowboys and Indians" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"San Simeon Waltz" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Fool" - Ryan Taubert
"Where Is My Mind" - The Pixies
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Chapters: 00:00 Intro - The Filmmaking Style of David Fincher 02:01 Early Career & Return of the Jedi 03:18 Shot Composition and Blocking 06:19 "Relentless" Number of Takes 11:02 Directing with Precision 13:43 Color Theory & Creating the Look 15:48 Create a Feeling (Production Design & Music) 19:35 Final Takeaways

[@JeffreyBarkdull]

Do you take video requests?

[@diproaich236]

Hey studiobinder, i love the intro of the director's chair, but it was better when the dialogues from pulp fiction and the grand budapest hotel wasn't there, so can you please use the old intro which has only the music, plzzz

[@DARWINZOO]

Thanks for the breakdown. Great director annoying human.

[@Leonardoeditor37]

*_"Relentless Number of Takes."_** As many directors, he was really inspired by Stanley Kubrick, wasn't he? Who hasn't been doing it in the last three decades?*

[@outlawdfs8196]

"I never wanted to be the guy that was victimized by other people's laziness!" Man what an amazing quote. I wish I had heard this when I started out. It would have saved a lot of headaches on set!

[@slimyelow]

Anya Taylor-Joy said she appreciates doing many takes in order to achieve perfection. I'm looking forward to a marvelous collaboration some day.

[@StudioBinder]

Only a matter of time 🙏

[@benjamincorteslyon6777]

What is perfection? It doesn't exist.

[@MetalFacedGamer]

@@benjamincorteslyon6777 Tell that to your significant other 😜

[@jesusrox0903]

Considering how much I love her (on screen), this seems like an absolutely ideal fit.

[@chiefinasmith]

@@benjamincorteslyon6777 the social network would like a word

[@Dev-fo7oi]

David Fincher is one of the greatest modern day directors. The Oscars don't deserve him.

[@LuisSierra42]

Correct sir, the oscars suck

[@StudioBinder]

His work speaks for itself

[@WhiteLivesMatterPL]

David Fincher is the best director ever.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Alfred Hitchcock never won an Oscar. Sidney Lumet never won an Oscar. Ridley Scott never won an Oscar. Christopher Nolan never won an Oscar. Paul Thomas Anderson never won an Oscar. Mary Harron never won an Oscar. Guillermo Del Toro never won an Oscar. David Lynch never won an Oscar. Penny Marshall never won an Oscar. Wes Anderson never won an Oscar. Fincher's in good company.

[@chrismaple779]

@@PhantomFilmAustralia I think Oscar’s are more about timing than anything.

[@subhashpsamy]

"Directing is not so much what you want to see.. On the day it's about limiting all the stuff that you don't want to see." This guy has an absolute control over what and how things to be on a frame.

[@StudioBinder]

And the rest of us benefit from his precision 💖

[@lydia5649]

@@StudioBinder Thanks for this one. One of my favorites with S. Kubrick

[@yu-chinchang711]

He is a demanding director, that’s why every time we see his work is totally perfect . Truly master indeed.

[@LuisSierra42]

Precisely, he's like a sentient AI with complete mastery of every aspect of filmmaking

[@StudioBinder]

Yup, method to the madness

[@mikelambo7133]

Facts 😂😂 he wasn’t playing at all

[@chiefinasmith]

He’s the modern day Kubrick

[@chiefwitz7547]

I like his reasons behind multiple takes tbh. I also enjoy his color tones, the green has always been my favorite. Thanks again Studiobinder!

[@StudioBinder]

Yup, and his reasons are proven by the result!

[@LycanVisuals]

Still waiting for Mindhunter to come back like a child at the door.

[@StudioBinder]

😂

[@tonydalat6790]

How are you doing Lycan Visuals?

[@dariolivaja978]

Me too!

[@needamuffin]

I'm still waiting for the Girl Who Played with Fire.

[@roykim5559]

You guys make incredible videos with a lot of thorough research. Truly amazing to me this is all free content with the level of effort you guys put in. Any filmmaker is genuinely appreciated by this.

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you for that 💕

[@benevans2014]

@@StudioBinder I was looking for this exact comment sentiment. I could not agree more. Your content is supremely superb and you should be very proud of yourselves. Keep up the amazing work.

[@tyrionlannister7378]

Being concise is one of the hallmarks of directing. - David Fincher

[@StudioBinder]

Perfect quote

[@DeadRingerVideo]

David Fincher is my favorite director. I stopped doing what I was doing to watch this. This isn't even my desk.

[@StudioBinder]

haha, we appreciate that

[@KZanim]

I love Fincher's work. He taps into the audience's emotions in every film with very precise, conscious choices that yet seem so effortless. Letting us dive deep and experience the world he's built.

[@StudioBinder]

Hallmarks of a great director 👍

[@riseabovesupremefilms2072]

Favorite director right here. He literally never misses in my opinion. Love his style & precision. Thanks for this episode ❗️❗️

[@StudioBinder]

Always knows what he wants, and it's usually something really good haha

[@riseabovesupremefilms2072]

@@StudioBinder Lol! For sure

[@joaosantos5503]

Thoughts on Mank?

[@senshai1267]

One of my favorite directors. Just love his aesthetic.

[@StudioBinder]

Endlessly rewatchable

[@elvibora6218]

Fincher is such a gift to cinema. every time I find a new favorite movie or show and find out it was directed or produced by him. house of cards, love death and robots, zodiac, mindhunters are all in my top 7

[@StudioBinder]

We're lucky to watch him work 👍

[@TheMisslili8]

I didn't even know the guy I got obsessed when I watched the intro of mindhunter. I'm a virgo I am perfectionist and crazy about details. Watching my hunter was a sensory stimulating experience. It feels like leaving the experience. Then I realized he made house of cards and zodiac. I have not watched the rest yet but its my goal for 2022

[@enzobuso5933]

@@TheMisslili8 hows your progress?

[@robertobuatti7226]

I first watched Se7en back in 1995 when I was 14 and that climatic ending was so intense, the suspense of it and the build up kept me on the edge of my seat, just top notch filmmaking.

[@StudioBinder]

The man hasn't slowed down since!

[@robertobuatti7226]

@@StudioBinder No he definitely hasn't, and he keeps making masterpieces, one after another.

[@RogueWolfArtist]

He elevates details in darkness so well. Thanks for making this one.

[@StudioBinder]

Great point!

[@nabeelmirza6060]

Damn! I did not want this video to end. Studiobinder always giving us golden stuff.

[@StudioBinder]

We do our best 💕

[@karakurie]

I've been studying games, writing, art, design, etc and something that keeps coming up from the best artists, developers, writers is the idea of 'reiteration' repeating with slight adjustments until the idea matches exactly what the story needs. So I feel like the number of takes is just iteration in another form and it feels bad because the props are human beings, not 3D models, lines, etc etc. I don't think Fincher's number of takes is perfectionism, its just how art works. It makes it easier to make high quality work.

[@StudioBinder]

That's a great take!

[@PedroCunha23]

20:22 That transition was amazing!

[@StudioBinder]

You noticed 😉

[@ranganath-1619]

The people who are involved in the making of this video are literally genius! OMG I've never scene such a incredible editing! Love from India

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to hear! Thanks for watching :)

[@AnkitSharma-fu9io]

Fr .

[@Dayvit78]

After watching this, I won't ever mistake David Fincher for David Lynch again. Thanks StudioBinder :)

[@StudioBinder]

Glad we could clarify for you haha

[@LuisSierra42]

I used to do this at one point, but Lynch and Fincher have very different styles. Fincher is more about capturing the moment and Lynch is more about capturing the feeling

[@Dayvit78]

@@LuisSierra42 Yea, for me it was more just a name thing and that they're both amazing directors. But now I'm much more knowledgeable.

[@nobodywashere1234]

fincher talking about the ipad and no excuses is literally what I needed to hear. i'm 17 right now, hopefully, I can come back here few years down the line and say, hey, you made it- the iPad worked :)

[@movielover828]

David Fincher is an amazing director who makes complex thrillers in the modern age. Also, the idea of many takes is hassle but necessary. We’re also nearing David Fincher’s birthday in the 28th of August, just like mine.🙂👍🏻

[@joaquinhernandez6940]

That's amazing that you and Fincher share the same birthday.

[@StudioBinder]

One of the great modern directors 👍

[@davidle4936]

Loyal fan of Mr. Fincher and his movies!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Always a good time with Fincher 👌

[@RM-uy3yp]

Absolute legend, I love how he says there are no excuses. All you need is an iPad ( and Studiobinder videos) and you're good.

[@StudioBinder]

And you can watch the vids on the iPad too 💯

[@papakufi]

I truly adore and love these videos! I would love to see one on David Lynch.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@joaquinhernandez6940]

Favorite thing I learned from Fincher: you don't need to be limited to just one master shot. :-)

[@StudioBinder]

It's a good tip!

[@alexanderfedderly]

This literally gives me goosebumps. When they show him meticulously directing all these little nuances and details in the behind the scenes footage, and then they show the final shot in the film, I can feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

[@asishmarandy]

Just, love the intro. wow

[@StudioBinder]

That's why it was made ;)

[@THE.N1KO]

This has to be one of the greatest and well crafted videos I've ever seen in my 23 years of life. Thanks.

[@samiritbanik1504]

One of the best filmmakers of our generation. Studiobinder made my day again. 💙

[@StudioBinder]

Lots to learn from the master

[@AbdallahBotan]

Thank you StudioBinder. You kill all excuses we make to be reluctant on bringing our ideas out. That iPad idea summerizes everything.

[@kinotochishi3083]

I remembered being one of the early subscriber to this channel and thinking, the contents this channel provide need for much larger audience, and safe to say now seeing the exponential growth I prsonally feels very relief, it's like seeing something you nurtured with much care bear the fruit of your expectations: thank you studio binders much love from Cenima nerd ❤️

[@StudioBinder]

❤ We've grown well haha

[@wowflower]

this channel gets better and better. thank you!!!

[@StudioBinder]

That's the goal!

[@crapshot]

Dude this is so informative, thank you guys. Keep em coming 🙏

[@StudioBinder]

Will keep them coming!

[@abeeeshen3852]

I appreciate y'all putting this together. Super insightful. Im paraphrasing but i loved how he said, we do about seven takes before the actual take so that we build muscle memory, to build a sense of comfort in that scene, and when it come down to the actual takes it will come natural to the actor.

[@StudioBinder]

Things that most filmmakers don't even consider, very useful

[@bertiebrown581]

To date myself, as a kid of 9 or 10 watching Alien 3 when it first came to HBO was my first realization that a director could have a unique visual aesthetic or style. Before that it felt to me that directors just stayed out of the way of the story they were trying to tell. Less “director” and more “facilitator”. Fincher was the first to make me take notice.

[@StudioBinder]

He is one of the best examples of the auteur theory 👍

[@DARWINZOO]

Big baby. Lol date yourself

[@daniellatteo_thefilmmaker]

Then I can only guess you haven't watched a lot of films, because there are lots of filmmakers out there with a very unique and distinctive style... Much more so than Fincher's! Verhoeven, Cronenberg, Barker, Leone, Scott, Argento... just to name a few.

[@bertiebrown581]

@@daniellatteo_thefilmmaker I hadn’t watched a ton of films……at fucking 9. Reading comprehension.

[@drewo.127]

3:13 This quote right here is a PERFECT example of a mindset to have when doing anything, especially anything creative!!!

[@helgafever768]

Fincher was the director of Madonna's iconic videos like Vogue, Express Yourself, Oh Father and my prefered Bad Girl 😍

[@SurajThakur-rj6qt]

That was what I needed today Thank you StudioBinder and Team

[@StudioBinder]

Hope you like it!

[@SurajThakur-rj6qt]

@@StudioBinder Ofcourse I like it

[@siddheshmisale3904]

Great job compiling this!

[@pabloelsenpai]

Thank u so much, as a David Fincher fan this is pure gold.

[@StudioBinder]

We hoped it would satisfy you guys ❤

[@creativityreimagined]

What a wonderfulllllly edited video❤

[@alexusyoung629]

Thank you for posting; It’s all falling into place and making more sense. Edgar Wright was brilliant and proves there is no age barriers in the world of filming. Even someone like Wright himself can make an impact in the world of film productions which is a testament to the unlimited potential itself!

[@jiancourt4083]

about time... Great work, man. Thanks for this too.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@robertobarasa4095]

These videos are brilliant, it’s insane that they are also free

[@quatriememur]

you're doing incredible videos fellas.

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

Best StudioBinder video yet. The focus was all on the subject and none on the delivery.

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

I watch 10 video every and learn film making very glad thanku very much Studiobinder

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to help!

[@karthiksrini7178]

Well a perfectionist got a perfectly edited video for himself... 😍😊 This channel and the amount of detail goes in each scene is [speechless] moment... StudioBinder💕💕

[@shivamdeshpande2879]

What a beautiful and insightful video.

[@StudioBinder]

Beautiful comment 😍

[@leontom9948]

I just love studio binder

[@StudioBinder]

We love our viewers!

[@areyoufriendly]

Great video as usual, Studiobider. For anyone interested, the full interview with Affleck and Fincher is quite good.

[@nilmour]

Oh my god this is the best thing in this month of my life

[@nayeebG]

Wow. The 50-50 shot aspect is really interesting.

[@sahlemus]

my absolute favorite director

[@StudioBinder]

One of ours too!

[@DawidDgk]

the opening of StudioBinder. I'm speechless :O

[@StudioBinder]

Enjoy!

[@DawidDgk]

@@StudioBinder every video that you upload! 💎

[@vishnunair7623]

20:22.............ooh that cut gave me chills

[@vikasraj2797]

*Thank you @studiobinders now and forever*

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@tamirflor6258]

Man, that was just Beautiful. Beautifu!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@mrblue2]

Why aren't you over a million subscribers yet man 🔥

[@caubrey]

I don’t know if he’s given any directing tips but can you do a video of spike lee. He’s one of my favorite directors

[@StudioBinder]

We might! Thanks for the suggestion :)

[@kellymulligan2304]

This has made my day. Plus I’m first

[@saulgoodman1236]

Does anyone care you’re first?

[@joaquinhernandez6940]

@@saulgoodman1236 I care. It is a good feeling to be first to comment.

[@StudioBinder]

Welcome!

[@kellymulligan2304]

@@saulgoodman1236 someone’s having a bad day. Maybe go to bed earlier

[@mattceccotti]

great stuff guys!

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@topicruben]

Amazing! Thank you 🙏

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrFabeman]

Great director. I wish he would continue with Mindhunter season 3 :-(

[@StudioBinder]

Man has to keep moving 🔥

[@Ambar42]

Well, David Fincher is the director of my favourite film (Fight Club) but I didn't know he also worked on my third-favourite film (Return of the Jedi). Makes him even cooler! :)

[@StudioBinder]

Man has been everywhere haha

[@rangoononline]

Really well made video

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the feedback :)

[@raulgama2579]

Professor Fincher! Amazing vídeo StudioBinder! ❤️

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it helps!

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome content :) & Nice edits :)

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@dhmendonca]

What a great video!

[@eydok5114]

Very well done!

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@jaggi6985]

The animation in the beginning is sick.

[@cpt33studios59]

First I must say how fucking bad ass this Studio Binder intro to this segment is... Man, very, very nice! Oh, and of course, Fincher's AMAZING!

[@roddyross5531]

Ending with Pixies 👏👏👏👏🎬 So Perfect.

[@StudioBinder]

😉

[@niteporter]

The goat to me. Love all his movies. He has never did a bad movie. Alien 3 was brilliant . Fincher is aces. 👏

[@kavalisaidaiah1200]

PLEASE,MAKE A SERIES ON ALFONSO CUARÓN CAREER.HIS" Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN" IS MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE FILM.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion! We have a video on his long takes you would like! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3qsf3aeibmsntU

[@crazyfilmmakers7045]

One of my favourite directors 🎉 try to be like him.

[@fynnanoop8322]

Hey StudioBinder I love your dircteor's chair videos so much. I was wondering if you could do one on Denis Villeneuve, got to be one of the best directors of the 2010s

[@matteggsbenedictgamer5310]

Can you guys make the next one with spielberg please, that will be great, im a big fan of his films

[@StudioBinder]

We might, thanks for the suggestion!

[@Radi0nFE]

The way Somerset hands the two photos to Mills and then says "Envy" is great foreshadowing.

[@arieelloo]

good as always

[@StudioBinder]

Nice!

[@mason9497]

any chance we'll ever get a lynch video in this series? you've done almost every other one of my favorites already lmao

[@BenWells95]

On point lads.

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@philemotion8876]

👏 👏 👏, Thanks a lot !

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@pbcreative6388]

Fascinating. Multiple takes, I love it. I always thought it was control freaks who did them, like some directors seem to be. David Fincher is not one of those, he's simply a perfectionist who wants things filmed exactly how he envisioned. And why not indeed.

[@AliMalik-jp3qs]

My Favorite Director

[@StudioBinder]

One of ours too :)

[@one_man_community]

Perfect Imperfection.

[@preejithbnambiar7735]

Thanks for this...

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@showguy8701]

They way he is talking about the amount of takes it reminds me of theatre rehearsal

[@dgamer2655]

Plz put Paul Thomas Anderson’s present career breakdown

[@StudioBinder]

Part 2 is on its way!

[@kavalisaidaiah1200]

Really,there should be part 2 breakdown of PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON. Now,he is on top of his game.

[@phucphamcong2279]

Thank you

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@harshavardanthummala9817]

I Think he's Hollywood National treasure. Love from India ❤️❤️

[@StudioBinder]

I can agree with that ❤

[@wangjimbo]

*Talking about how he hates magenta and pink * *Interviewer shot/graded that video with the exact said tone *

[@StudioBinder]

Would've been cool if they graded the footage to Fincher's color palette 💯

[@flumerc6273]

BRILLIANCE!

[@ripanpreetgill454]

truly a master

[@StudioBinder]

One of the best!

[@p.santoshkhan4685]

David fincher ❤

[@StudioBinder]

The best!

[@firehot006]

Love hearing him talk about his artistry/craft. Fight Club is my absolute favourite film, but I don't know why, I just don't feel such a love and connection with any of his other big films. I hope he finds another amazing story to tackle and nails it in just the same way he achieved for Fight Club. (Didn't like Panic Room, didn't like Mank, found some of his other big films fairly average in terms of entertainment/appreciation of them). Edit: forgot to say I love Seven as well.

[@StudioBinder]

He doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon so it's definitely possible!

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

Very nice video

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!