How 'Barry' Created a Perfect Chase Scene Without Music for Bill Hader's Vision | Making A Scene

As the executive producer, creator, writer, director and star of “Barry,” Bill Hader wears a lot of hats. One hat he doesn’t wear, however, is motorcycle driver. So, during a pivotal chase scene where Barry drives a motorcycle across the freeway, he stuck a helmet on a stunt double and dressed him up to look like him.
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[@SwimmingRobot]

this show needs to be talked about more. It's as good as shows like Game of Thrones, Succession, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, etc. I know it's won a lot of awards recognition, but the general audiences don't talk about it enough. This episode was so amazing!

[@alejandrocastillo9209]

Good ! It can become a cult classic and not suck like GoT eventually

[@anonymous-mp5rm]

One of the best right now , can't understand how it's not popular. I mean it's so entertaining , deserves more recognition

[@JaneDoe-tm2ex]

Succession is trash

[@FarhanMehmood]

its defo on the same level as succession in my opinion

[@kylecook7187]

I'm always telling people to watch it, this show is so fuckin good.

[@xanthelinhs2143]

I didn't even notice there wasn't music, never occurred to me because the scene is so good its sucks you in.

[@ItsJustJakieG]

it LITERALLY sucks you in. the noise that bikes made as they were lane splitting was so tense and also scratched my brain so nicely

[@keithpatrick156]

It felt like I was watching someone play GTA V

[@MrBrain4]

If you listen closely during the lane-splitting part of the scene, you can actually hear radio programs from the various cars they are passing.

[@SuperSpasticNinja]

You don't consider Barry's humming music?!

[@barcalona55]

Opposite for me. I was like usually there’s music but nah

[@KillerTacos54]

I was blown away by this scene. Just like the fight scene in season 2, I can’t believe how freaking good this show can be and is

[@ethelpeanut4364]

Which fight scene?

[@sanbalestrini]

@@ethelpeanut4364 Probably this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqGZaX6AoLeBrJY

[@katherinecheung7207]

@@ethelpeanut4364 barry v ronny i think!

[@65g4]

@@ethelpeanut4364 the young girl who wasnt of this world remember 🤣🤣🤣

[@KSmithwick1989]

@@65g4 That reminded of the opening of Dawn of the Dead. I wonder if it influenced that scene.

[@nickdoesnthaveyoutube]

I love how they unintentionally talk about street names and routes just as much as Bill's old Californians skits from SNL

[@KittyPieVibes]

GET OUTA HERE DEVON, TAKE THE -

[@Elphiyero10]

at this time of day??? it's gonna be PACKED

[@VanessaLeavitt]

Whaaaaadur you doin' here Shtyuert??

[@nickdoesnthaveyoutube]

@@VanessaLeavitt I can't believe you spelled that out so perfectly hahaha. I can hear it so well when reading this 🤣

[@VanessaLeavitt]

@@nickdoesnthaveyoutube Haha!! Glad you liked it!

[@Sam_Perman]

The most underrated part of this sequence is Barry humming to himself.

[@jennymulinaro6036]

Fucking loved it

[@KittyPieVibes]

Trying to calm down lmao

[@darshin95]

you're my buddy, you're my friend...

[@tazrazar4054]

@@KittyPieVibes i see it more like he's just humming calmly instead of trying to "calm down", because he's already too used to this kind of shit happening to him

[@TheAndrewj96]

My favorite part is right after he’s stolen the motorcycle, when he rides right past the guys chasing him and goes “aw, _shit”_ in the most hilariously disappointed tone.

[@captainmercy87]

This is one of the best shows ever made and it’s criminally underrated.

[@KillerTacos54]

It's not really underrated because the reviews are freaking amazing, as they should be. It's just that there aren't enough people who either know or have watched it

[@GEORGETHOMAS2001]

@@KillerTacos54 Yeah I think overlooked is more the right word, most people I know haven't even heard of this show, it's sad.

[@Outliers4Life]

it sucks cause like most people nowadays won't watch a show that's currently running unless it's marvel or a netflix original. they always looking for new shows but yet still haven't seen barry.

[@captainmercy87]

@@Outliers4Life True. I have recommended this show to almost everyone I have seen but no one has given it a chance because they don't hear about it a lot online enough!

[@captainmercy87]

@@KillerTacos54 That's true. As others have said, I should have written overlooked! Kind of like the Leftovers for me. Amazing shows and beloved by critics but not watched by enough people.

[@MiniaturePlayer]

They never talked about the hand off of the machine gun, that was epic. Most action scenes would have made that perfect hand off and start shooting the machine gun while riding the bike in traffic. Barry has been amazing thus far.

[@helena8999]

I loved how eerie the whole scene was without music. Just that sound of Barry's half-broken dirtbike whining on the highway, contrasted against the other dirtbikes' healthier growls, built so much tension. This whole season has felt like watching a car accident, in the best way possible.

[@lachiem]

I don't think that it's his bike that is broken, it sounds as if it's in first gear and Barry doesn't understand how to bring it up into a higher gear.

[@daveswietlik6291]

Watch the Ronin chase scene. No music. Very similar vibe. Its like being in an actual car chase. While this chase was good, the Ronin chase scene is hands down the best one ever made.

[@productdesign9626]

Bill's development as a filmmaker is just extraordinary. He is completely without pretence yet so confident and clear in his vision. And he still acts as if he's just a goofy guy who got lucky. I am extremely excited to see what comes next for him. I think a series of groundbreaking features is in his future. If I ran a studio I would just give him a blank cheque and say 'go for it!'

[@thesmallcheval]

Can you IMAGINE him working with Jordan Peele??

[@Froozerk567]

I was thinking the same thing while watching this scene in particular. I really hope someone takes a chance on him and gives him a proper budget, he could create something truly unique.

[@thesmallcheval]

@jordypoe I hadn’t heard of documentary now!

[@thesmallcheval]

@jordypoe 100% checking it out right now. Thank you! ☺️

[@sophiem8451]

Such a good show. Also did anyone else get Californian's sketch flashbacks when they were talking about which highways were used...

[@skunkzilla8967]

OMG, yes!

[@sagebrushrepair]

It's pretty true. U gotta know the freeways if you're in LA/OC/Riverside/SB.

[@notforone]

YES!

[@bigz3011]

I just started to rewatch Barry from the beginning recently and in the pilot there’s a scene where Barry is stuck in traffic and a motorcycle flies past him and Barry gets mad at the biker. Such a smart callback.

[@rowleyryan9025]

Lol knowing how often characters run into each other around LA it probably was one of the motocross thugs

[@nicholesanderson6348]

I hate action movies, but I LOVED this chase sequence. It was the antithesis of the glorification of chase scenes we've seen time and time again: no thrilling music leading the audience, realistic movements, reactions, and physics. The reality of Barry's lifestyle as actually realistic and mundane was portrayed in contrast to the glorification of violence and badassery we've seen time and time again. Wonderfully executed. 100% in line with the humor and realism I think Mr. Hader was shooting for.

[@johngoldsmith9752]

Everything about this episode is excellent. The visual of Barry hanging onto a box of pastries, while riding a dirt bike....while being shot at for miles and miles is just so ridiculous, and so this show. Also in this episode, always wondering why the line at the bakery is so long, with the answer being Mitch the pastry chef is giving one on one marriage/relationship/life advice counseling free at pick up is absolutely fantastic.

[@joebob2311productions]

and to top it off, what the pastry box caused after the chase...

[@aozf05]

I wonder if the place is only popular because people see the long lines and think it's really good

[@jamsl1971]

Barry has some of the best cinematography ever imo.

[@chikai.3866]

Great scene. It's especially the sound design. It was hilarious that it wasn't amped up. It sounded exactly how it would really sound. Weird, fast, scary and bewildering.

[@righteousrawb7225]

I absolutely Loved this scene so much!! No unnecessary shakey came or wild cuts or overly dynamic camera angles, just straight up one shot of the back then one shot of the front, during the chase. So badass

[@WISHARTfilms]

Halfway through this turned into a new episode of The Californians

[@toddpinkstonisgod]

I loved how much of this scene was shot like something out of Grand Theft Auto.

[@08fjohj]

I remember thinking how crazy this whole sequence was while watching it. Never seen a bike chase like that before.

[@THEODSTKING117]

I remember thinking to myself, “are they rlly doing this?” when Barry is taking off down into the freeway. The way they shot the 3rd person angle was so sweet, I think it was one shot for awhile too.

[@StupidSystemus]

3:45 - When the Supervising location manager started talking about the freeways and exists, all I could think about was “the Californians”

[@adler923]

Just the sound of the cars as they pass by at a high rate of speed made me nervous. I do have to say I was confused as to why the used car salesman had a shotgun at the ready and loaded at his dealership. When I was young, people didn't have so many guns around. Now they're everywhere. It's insane. (And I also thought the scene where the mother and son debate about murdering Barry - in front of a gun salesman - who doesn't give it a second thought as he rings up the sale of a Beretta. I love Hader's thoughts about gun control - because he does certainly have thoughts about it).

[@silverblue73]

The guy said not today 🤣

[@crazychase98]

Bro dude owns a car shop people steel cars all the time its his lively hood

[@crazychase98]

That was the joke with the mom and son getting a gun at the gun store. Not realistic at all not how gun laws anywhere work. Especially in California all the inspections into your lively hood they do just to get a gun. Gun store owns can be held in come cases responsible for selling guns to people like that. Your lack of gun laws or knowledge is scary. Realistically they would have gotten it illegally from a criminally on a street corner.

[@matts2152]

When were you young? Cause I seem to recall some pretty huge violent riots about 30 years ago in CA involving plenty of guns

[@adler923]

@@matts2152 Nope, I was there for those riots in Los Angeles and guns were few and far between believe me! There was a crazy gunman once who had armor piercing ammo who robbed a bank in LA but that was an anomoly back then. Also I was born around the riots before that - the Watts riots! And nope, not a lot of guns - mostly molotov cocktails and trash cans. Same as the Rodney King riots. Your recollection only proves that people can present evidence that is false when it fits their own narratives.

[@arvinbuenaagua5161]

The enumeration of highways should have been done with a Californians accent

[@cheswajda9803]

On point! ;)

[@twenty-twenty]

I came here for this comment

[@jrodriguez13181]

Dude, that sequence was SO FUCKING BADASS! I watched it twice. Amazing work 👏 🔥

[@kvltslime2261]

Imo Barry was already one of the best shows out there but this season has absolutely elevated Barry. Apparently next season Bill is directing every episode and every episode he directs is so good so im hype to see it

[@cinefiend4059]

It is an a insane scene so meticulously and so brilliantly done that my only gripe is I wish this was shown on IMAX because I would pay to see this on the biggest screen. And the fact that Bill Hader directed this another reason why he’s a genius. Nothing on tv compares to this action sequence. It’s cinematic in every way.

[@hamsandwichson]

All the talk about highways makes this sound like The Californians. 😂

[@sonofmando4239]

The best part is that the sequence gets more violent and dangerous but at the same time it gets funnier... like it gets to a point that you are thinking "WTF IS GOING ON WH... WH... WHAT?" I can't explain how much I love Bill Hader and the crew is just amazing

[@spacechimp5141]

That episode had me laughing so hard and I don't find this show that comedic.

[@silverblue73]

“Hey we can get these bikers to do anything!” Most menacing thing: the sound of the bikes approaching

[@theman44ful]

I am just blown away by how amazing the bill hader directed episodes are. He truly is a talent of our generation, up there with Donald Glover

[@kvltslime2261]

i heard he's directing every episode next season so im pretty hype for that

[@reydez84]

I was verry suprised when i was seeing this, i was like "whaaa.."

[@davidhurtado2725]

He's such a genius of detail. The shooting at the end was incredibly symbolic.

[@faunaflage]

This was very interesting. I would have liked to hear about the audio design, as well. If you close your eyes during this scene, the foley and sound design work is pretty incredible. Even just the WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH of the bikes going between cars, or the consistent, high pitch whine of the dirt bikes, adds to the tension of the scene.

[@Caiterlin]

you can hear the cars' radios as well, which I thought was a cool touch

[@TheGoonSquadd]

Dang I was waiting and waiting for them to get into the sound design. That sucks they didn’t because it was incredibly done in this episode

[@Tsudkyk]

Barry is the most original and entertaining show since breaking bad. It’s a brilliant mixture of drama, comedy, action and amazing character driven story lines. By far my favorite show in the last decade.

[@DonJuanDingDong]

I'm surprised they didn't mention GTA, that whole sequence had such a GTA vibe to it, I could've sworn it served as an inspiration

[@CalifornianCuttlefish]

Every minute of this scene and this show is perfection.

[@hurleyinc686]

One of the most dramatic scenes I can remember is when Barry asks... "Why did you say that!?" Then shoots one of his old long time friends.

[@CalifornianCuttlefish]

@@hurleyinc686 when I saw that scene I paused the TV and took like a solid 2 minutes to process it

[@hurleyinc686]

Shocked the hell out of me. That's what makes a great show.

[@lenimbery7038]

That was one of the best sequences in the series so far!...I also liked the one when Couseneau was running through the yard being chased by dogs while the homeowner couple was breaking up

[@frankthetank3318]

Lol listening to the guy talking witch highway and street they pick to film on sounds like The Californians from snl

[@Unaveragetrainguy]

I enjoyed the understatedness of this action/chase scene. It was more of a satire of an action scene, in that we could hear the assailants talking initially, like normal-ish strangers one might cross paths with; then the rather incompetent hand off of the rifle, leading to the biker getting launched onto the car. It does not glorify the action; It feels more in keeping with the real world and so comedic!

[@Zictor]

Honestly one of the best chase scenes I've seen in AGES. I absolutely love the way they did this in the show!!!

[@AyebaOwl]

The whole of episode six just popped off. The mirror shot, the red balcony shot, the chase sequence--I'd love to see Hader direct a movie with similar sensibilities (if he hasn't already).

[@rebekahbrodsky]

one of the best shows on TV right now.

[@TheChriszimmer36]

the shot where he first merges onto the freeway and keeps getting passed by traffic is so funny

[@productdesign9626]

The comical slowness of the whole chase is so weird and so funny

[@arvenfr]

That scene was just incredible! And I really appreciate that they did not get over the top with the stunts... in true Barry form

[@thefilmcubano]

This show needs go down as one of the greatest tv shows ever made. It is on par with every other show talked about in that way

[@BeforeYouForgot]

I thought the scene was great except for the part where the guy was shooting thru the roof at Barry and hitting all those cars, like no panic or reaction at all from any of the cars that part was way off to me. same with when the agent found Barry burying the guy Sally killed, none of that part made sense to me either

[@grantharrismusic]

This scene built so much tension without music or quick cuts and gratuitous special effects and stunts. A really great scene and should set the benchmark for chase scenes. Actually, when I think about it, the tension was so great I didn't even notice the absence of music.

[@tylerphilco]

It was fantastic. Only thing it was missing, considering it was so quiet aside from the motorcycle and bullets, was screaming. There should have been more screams from the other drivers that got shot up. Unless that’s just normal for LA? Bullets flying all the time?

[@adams546]

The camera work of this pursuit scene reminds me of GTA V

[@AnonAnonAnon]

A very, very underrated show that didn't get much coverage in the UK. I only stumbled onto it earlier this year and binge watched. Absolutely perfect!

[@momoe.4075]

Fucking iconic scene

[@Matthew-McCallister]

The whole show reminds me a lot of Pulp Fiction. It has a way of making these goofy sequences feel grounded and tense. Then once it is over, you get this weird feeling of dread when you are forced to come to terms with what you just watched.

[@spenser9908]

So weird how a group of comedy dorks managed to understand and craft a true action sequence when the likes of Stallone produces some of the shoddiest excuse for action with his Expendables movies.

[@GlennDavey]

Barry Season 3 is the most GTA V of the show's seasons. Everything is very LA, heightened humour and action... with a dose of some Breaking Bad New Mexico vibes... even though it's still definitely California. Good value

[@betty_whiteofficial6175]

When the guy was explaining where they filmed all I could think of was the californians from SNL😂

what do they mean it was without music? I clearly remember "you're my buddy.. you're my friend.... oh my buddy where you've been...." :P

[@alleykitten214]

I never realized we don’t actually see Bill Hader on the bike. At all. I remember seeing him but i guess the stunt doubles were just that good LOL

[@BernardJMorgan]

It’s amazing how well made this show is and how funny it is too. There’s nothing like it

[@NextGenStudentUC]

Great scene but logistically doesn’t make sense. Barry enters the CA-134 towards the I-210 near Pasadena, but soon after is heading southbound on the I-710 by the I-10, which is just impossible without exiting or going on a bunch of other freeways.

[@JohnWilliamsFromBluff]

Barry has many moments of comedy genius. A standout is at the start of the sequence when the three bikers surround Barry's stationary car and try to ID him. "Is that him?", "Yeah, it looks like him. What do we do?", "I don't know ... shoot him, I guess?" Not only the actual line, but delivered to perfection by the actor. I laughed so hard I went into a coughing fit! Hats off to all involved in creating this awesome sequence.

[@TheOneWhoDings]

Bill Hader already established himself as one of the goats with his more than brilliant work in Barry. Acting wise, directing and writing wise too. The show is so fresh it feels like I've never seen something like it before.

[@willowm5024]

snub of the century at the emmys this year

[@codysnowden231]

The machine gun "HAND OFF!!!" "WHAT?!" made me laugh so fuckin hard 😂

[@romantra1311]

Love this show! Just finished season 3 yesterday. If you like Barry, I recommend checking out the show Patriot. It has a similar vibe.

[@sk8mafia214]

I remember watching No Country For Old and realizing the film didn’t have any music.

[@ComradeStiv]

The show is exceptional for so many reasons, but its absurdism and unpredictability absolutely seals it for me. And Hader's just getting started. Such unique intelligent visions. All signs point to him becoming one of our filmmaking greats. [ And oh god _please_ stop saying he or the show is "underrated"; both are receiving fuck tons of deserved acclaim and recognition 🤦‍♂️]

[@librarygary1618]

It's very funny how the newest season of Righteous Gemstones and this new season of Barry both feature dirt bike gang antagonists lol

[@davemills7030]

I know exactly where that closed dealership is (South Torrance). That wedge where Newton begins (residential area) from PCH - with Torrance Airport on the other side of the Ford dealership (can see the Ford sign across the street in the scene). Excellent chase sequence - loved it - and the bakery bag on his wrist the whole time.

[@davidle4936]

We need Bill Hader to starred in John Wick-style action movie!

[@dylanturner3216]

Real life Californians scene.

[@jdrummerdd]

the most cinematic show on TV and maybe ever made. Masterwork

[@hadi141]

This scene is legendary! Best show of all time lol I’m bummed season finale i yelled out NO! Can’t wait for next season

[@johnmiller5679]

I love how it shows how dirt bikes really are. They seem fast and make a lot of noise but on the freeway cars would be passing them and beeping like crazy. A dirt bike is not a Ninja, it’s a smaller engine reva high but will not keep up on the highway doing 80 mph.

[@ronthorn3]

Insane sequence, god dam, I was thinking to myself as I watched this episode how they pulled this off, and what do you know variety makes a video about it!

[@commaJim]

such an amazing scene!! Barry season 3 has been such a treat. Bill is the best

[@simonscott1121]

it's very rare for me to watch a scene with my mouth open, and rewatch it again and again in awe. Kudos to all involved.

[@astrodax2753]

I feel like I'm watching The Californians for some reason lol

[@tsuriranpu]

Such a terrific sequence. Everything about it shows the genius of Barry

[@verticalcat]

I watched that episode today and was blown away by the chase sequence, enough to find others on the interweb…

[@ThePopTartKids]

Anyone else feel moments of lynchian surrealism in this season?

[@willienelsongonzalez4609]

For those wishing they had shown the scene, after searching interweb/KZbin here’s the scene from just after Barry manages to steal a dirt bike. It’s in two parts. Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppzYhohord1-Y9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKa7c3ucr9amsKc

[@ameliamadison4403]

whoever edited this please normalize the audio lol

[@zlypy]

What bill mentioned at the end, of giving characters the ability to be in the foreground, is something i really love about barry. Bill lets so many characters do a lot of heavy lifting that by the end of season 4, other characters have more screen time than barry but it builds together so beautifully

[@amandaarcher7919]

All this just to be poisoned at the end 😔

[@howardron543]

I had the biggest smile of the show during this sequence... I cant tell what it was... But i was just loving the absurdity/stupidity of the whole thing... Enjoying the ride... just going with it

[@yuvisorout105]

Bill hader is a legend apart from being funni, he is an hell of a director and writer. He should do more project. I can see him on the academy awards stage.

[@trevorbelmont9820]

Unpopular opinion: Most underrated HBO series ever..

[@WorldsWorstBoy]

We need more Barry asap

[@CasaRealEstate123]

The scene reminded me of GTA driving lol

[@PakRT48]

Bill Hader: comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, auteur. Such an unbearable weight of massive talent.

[@grekygrek]

That chase scene was incredible. When Barry ended i was lost lol what the duck am i gonna watch

[@Navi-vm2dl]

You should watch fargo.

[@scooble]

It seems as though Bill Hader has now created his own unique style of action sequences.

[@Kat-nd1ln]

I watched this scene over and over, what a great show!

[@emilianoo.1596]

It's getting to the point that I can basically predict which episodes Hader directs by the time the end credits roll. You can tell he's a fan of classic/world cinema by the way he stages the camera and when/why he moves it. He's said in past interviews that he's a huge film buff and the way he directs & the performances he gets from his performers convey as much.

[@ffflustered9qr]

Perfect combination of humor (the rooftop section of the chase was darkly funny) and making the audience think realistically and go “wait no oh my god?? Please no!”

[@lalalabia7464]

This episode is one of the best I’ve seen in a while.

[@meghancook8569]

one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@omdeshmukh9139]

It felt like it was from GTA San Andreas. So beautifully shot.

[@KABOBkabob]

It's kinda crazy how bad CGI cars still manage to look in 2022. The technology is absolutely there to make them look great but everything from big budget blockbusters down to lower level more focused VFX sequences seem to cut corners on that. It stands out so much though, pulls me out of scenes all the time that otherwise look great. Hurts this sequence tremendously - all I could think of watching this was production instead of being immersed in the scene.