How Denis Villeneuve Shoots A Film At 3 Budget Levels

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Great directors are capable of creating and maintaining very deliberate cinematic tones. This is true of Denis Villeneuve.
In this video I’ll look at three of his films at three increasing budget levels, the low budget August 32nd on Earth, the medium budget Sicario and the high budget Dune to unveil the formation of his style and identity as a director.
Source: • Academy Conversations:...
Source: • Directing Dune | Inter...
Source: • DP/30: Sicario, Denis ...
Source: • Dune director Denis Vi...
Source: American Cinematographer, October 2015
Source: American Cinematographer December 2021
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0:00 Introduction
0:57 August 32nd On Earth
4:27 Sponsored Message
5:21 Sicario
10:14 Dune
14:32 Conclusion
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[@oniriscope]

The man supposedly took a 10years pause from filmmaking to stop craving fame and because he considered he had not enough life experience to make films. Lived 10 years of civil life like an everyday person his wife was the bread winner then came back and look at all the masterpieces he brought with more maturity and humbleness. The man & the director forces respect.

[@iamakkkshay]

Hope✨✨

[@_mixedsignals]

I thought you were talking about Terrence Malick for a second. I believe he did the same thing.

[@mg6945]

@@_mixedsignals He did, although his wasn't nine like Villenueve, it was TWENTY years

[@_mixedsignals]

@@mg6945 what a complete boss.

[@thataustriantrain7466]

Why the hell did his wife did everything for his own family? That raises suspicions within me.

[@LycanVisuals]

I'm so happy Dune is getting a part two. Seeing it on an IMAX screen was incredible, and what a flex loving a book so much that you actually get to direct it in the future. I'm very thankful for Villeneuve, Nolan, & numerous others.

[@Dr_Kubrick]

The influence of Deakins and Villenuve was so evident in Sicario when part 2 just didn't have any of the impact of its predecessor.

[@_mixedsignals]

Agreed.

[@JovemEverton]

And the script was not good, which is a shame because I enjoyed Sheridan's scripts quite a lot in Hell or Highwater and Windriver.

[@elijahyourdad3937]

The fanboys are worshipping Roger Deakins whenever you mentioned CINEMATOGRAPHY. But films he DPed are pretty damn boring.

[@JovemEverton]

@@elijahyourdad3937 Boring? Prisoners, sicario, Fargo, Barton Fink, big Lebowski, no country for old man, shawshank redemption, 1917...

[@cognitio278]

@@elijahyourdad3937 You are pushing the boundaries of freedom of speech bruh 😂

[@nkanyisoinnocentkhwane3752]

Sam Raimi would definitely fit into this series pretty well

[@georgeguilfoyle6847]

What’s that gonna be evil dead then Spider-Man there’s way better people for this series who need a episode before Sam raimi

[@augustgreig9420]

@@georgeguilfoyle6847 Not true. First of all, The Evil Dead is one of the top 10 greatest horror films and one of the best and most impressive low budget indie films ever made, and has been an inspiration to a ton of directors starting out outside of Hollywood and it's system. Second, he has several mid level films; A Simple Plan, The Quick and the Dead, and Darkman, a criminally underrated comic book film. He'd make a great choice for the series.

[@veagacastro3045]

@@georgeguilfoyle6847 raimi >>>>> Villeneuve

[@eon5417]

@@veagacastro3045 Absolutely not. Raimi is a phenomenal director whose movies have an incredibly sense of personality, but nothing he's made is as good as Prisoners, Arrival, and definitely not anywhere near Blade Runner 2049.

[@veagacastro3045]

@@eon5417 I'm far from a villeneuve hater, but honestly I never understood their hype. In general, I think he's a good director, and that's all. But I hate what he stands for, this bunch of directors called "blockbuster brains" who kind of try to put themselves above others as if their movies are "real art" and not throwaway trash, and usually their movies end up being even more shallower than many blockbuster generic films. Augusth 37, for example, is an incredibly mediocre film and generic in its formal choices (it is almost an insult to Godard to compare it to Breathless, an experimental anti-humanist film that is much more interested in making an essay film about the impact of American cinema in France than telling a story). On the other hand, Raimi's films are almost subversive works, as they go against this fetish of pasteurized Realism that directors like Villeneuve represent. And besides, he manages to discuss deep topics like love, loneliness, responsibility, etc. Mary Jane and Peter Parker's relationship in Spider-Man 2 is nothing short of Douglas Sirk or Almodovar melodrama, it's so over-the-top yet so sincere. Anyway, it's just my opinion. you are allowed to have yours

[@IndySidhu88]

Villeneuve shoots everything with that indie filmmaker attitude which his why his films often blend overall quality with the film' magnitude and scope. Dune even felt huge and epic at the same time it was also feeling like all the directorial styles of Villeneuve' previous work.

[@dakuru]

how can you not like the work of this man

[@robertobuatti7226]

Could you please do John Carpenter's filmography, been a huge fan of his work since I was a teenager in the 90's and would love to see how he dealt with Filmmaking at different budgets and how Halloween was one first films to use the steadicam from what I've researched and how it revolutionized Filmmaking which has been the norm for over 40 years.

[@madbrain5771]

I love that you’re doing this series because it inspires aspiring filmmakers and shows them that you can do a lot of cool and interesting things without a huge budget.

[@loganwelty7094]

My all-time favorite film director. Every BTS video I can find of his work is a treat!

[@badfaithnomination]

This will be the first time I can actually say I’ve seen the director’s entire filmography! Probably my favorite working today ❤️

[@butter_nut1817]

After accepting Dune as part of a whole story (it doesn't have a finished storyline), I'd say it is my favorite movie.

[@yetanotherbassdude]

Had never considered the desert angle with Villeneuve, but on top of all his other experience it really hammers home just how perfect he was for Dune. Great breakdown as always!

[@erinaldo2260]

I love the way you use those circular sound waves during interview excerpts in all your videos but here they work especially well as an Arrival reference lol

[@totolaunione3939]

Lol you’re right

[@mangobodybutter]

Gray, you are a godsend. Thank you so much for putting in the energy to make these educational videos.

[@a99feeling]

The video is very soothing to watch, really enjoyed it and felt even more inspired! Great work!

[@josephasghar]

Fascinating, as always. Villeneuve always delivers thoughtful and immersive films, so thank you for the technical walkthrough.

[@Mitolism]

The amount of technical detail in your videos is amazing and as a First AC is what I find most interesting haha. Thanks for your research and attention to detail. Shocked that I learn more from your videos than from some American Cinematographer articles lol

[@kienserapio]

I’m so early yet so excited. Best channel for filmmaking videos!

[@bentott]

Very well put together video. Thanks!

[@bojkberet]

Love your videos! Great inspiration and source of information.

[@allthingshollywood2620]

Never heard of "August 32nd on Earth", but it looks pretty unique and fun. Btw, Dune is one of the greatest cinematic experiences of my life!

[@jackkarski4082]

well done mate - thanks for sharing

[@joshuajagersberger]

I love your videos, I am always happy to get a notification about a new upload. Great one as always! I'd adore a video on Andrei Tarkovsky.

[@zachhorn]

This is a great series idea - would love to see this 3 budget levels concept for Fincher

[@hellotorin]

Thank you doing this. Denis is my absolute favorite director.

[@24stills]

I’m sure it’ll require tons of research but please do one for Andrei Tarkovsky!

[@georgeguilfoyle6847]

100%

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

@@georgeguilfoyle6847 This would be great.

[@Gambitheart]

The most important aspect of Villeneuve films are the stories he writes the scripts are heartwrecking always.

[@robjornayvaz8178]

Yessssss!!! Love it!

[@sachaleduc3002]

Denis Villeneuve's collaborator André Turpin is also a very influential cinematographer and director in Quebec. He's also a big collaborator of Xavier Dolan, who directed Mommy. Would be very interesting to have a Cinematography Style: André Turpin one day!

[@joonamato]

These are so, so good

[@Edensproject]

amazing video, thanks a lot

[@anthonypc1]

9:12 woah how do you animate this audio waveform to spiral around like this? Any key terms I could look up for tutorials would be cool! I like the texture of your subtle graphic details.

[@rammkumaru261]

Thank you💜

[@AxTechs]

WE NEEEEDED THIS

[@Zombiesnyder13]

I hope we get to see RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA as soon as possible Because I can't picture a better director for the job

[@nms7872]

Dune 2 is 2023. So Rama won't come till 2025 at the earliest

[@totolaunione3939]

@@nms7872 then I have time to read the novel lmao

[@mgscheue]

@@totolaunione3939 Enjoy! It’s great.

[@trustyWeedGuy]

Beautiful video.

[@mistahslugg]

man, denis villeneuve and panos cosmatos are by far the most talented directors of this generation. so stoked for Dune pt 2 :)

[@medardbitangimana4580]

Villeneuve knows how to get the best out of cast and crew. Always.

[@LeonardoKlotz]

Filmmakers like Villeneuve are in a very short supply nowadays

[@JovemEverton]

Are they? Ari Aster, Robert Eggers, Luca Guadagnino, Sean Baker, Greta Gerwig...

[@trippwilsonphoto]

@@JovemEverton Josh and benny safdie

[@Eztodraw_123]

We need more original directors like him

[@FerdIsaacs]

DOPE!

[@dejib.3930]

Beautiful.

[@firewithfire2745]

Can you please do Soderbergh next? As well as an analysis on "Peter Andrews"?

Thank you for this vid. An analysis on David Fincher would be awewsome.

[@pdzombie1906]

Great video!!! A little technical for my taste, but this is my first on the channel. Thanx!!!

[@AxTechs]

We need a video on David Fincher

[@Layla-id5zu]

Yessssss

[@iforgotthenamemate]

Dennis must do another movie with Hoytema! And i would really like to see your take on Michael Mann movies. He is the Pioneer of Digital filmmaking and really True ateur!

[@suhaib2789]

Do Terrence malick next please

[@dlovisuals]

This was so insightful. I’d love to see a video like this on Sam Raimi and George Lucas

[@donsan6404]

where did you get the image with the blue background?

[@notaulgoodman9732]

The most replayed section of this video is right after the sponsor segment

[@forrest.0569]

Nice

[@cognitio278]

❤️

[@critike]

I'd love to see a video on Peter Jackson.

[@goonaffliated7]

How do you find out all this information?

[@bobunitone]

Andre Turpin is an underrated DP. Incendies, Mommy, Tom at the Farm, Adele music vids.

[@aravindr3406]

I would like to see a three budget video on Andrei tarkovsky

[@juanjosenamnuntavarez7553]

Tarkosvky usually worked with the same budget.

[@ponfed]

Nobody remembers Un 32 Août sur Terre. I did my senior project on analysing this movie. It's a really interesting movie. And it's completely new wave influence.

[@kozykev]

Big inspiration for me as a Canadian filmmaker.

[@Keving65]

You should do PTA next.

[@seaica3447]

Villeneuve is the best director of our time. He's the Kubrick of today!

[@jothishprabu8]

Tarantino says Hiiiiii

[@Zombiesnyder13]

I think Villeneuve has more in common with David Fincher

[@mollywoodshots6503]

@@jothishprabu8 Did you just compare Kubrick with Tarantino?

[@JovemEverton]

People need to stop saying that... A few years ago Nolan was the Kubrick of our times...

[@nms7872]

How about Kubrick is the Kubrick of his generation. Stop with these titles. Denis is great and brings his own stuff to the table

[@enthnd03]

pta would be an interesting one

[@Salamander676]

His name is so familiar but I always forget about him till I see his name and realize all the popular films he’s directed

[@adwaitmanjalkar8480]

Next video on M. Night Shyamalan please

[@lukamrse1324]

You shoud do David Fincher next.

[@quickscope4932]

What does highlight roll off mean? Context clues tell me that it means "softer" highlights but it occurred to me that I may be wrong in that assumption.

[@bhaskarsuryanarayan5251]

From what I understand, roll-off refers to transition. Say, 'roll-off from highlight to shadow is smooth' means that the merging point is stretched over the mid-tones. So much so that, the transition isn't abrupt, contrasty and lacking in mid-tones. Would like to hear more on this. Thank you for listening.

[@GalacticoUC]

i know this video is a little old, but why you choose dune and not Blade Runner 2049?? is a masterpiece

[@DavidCowie2022]

What is a lut?

[@travisspazz1624]

Remember kids, Red Notice cost $35 mil more than Dune!!

[@medardbitangimana4580]

Is it possible for someone to talk about jump cuts without mentioning Breathless?

[@nickhtk6285]

Id love a break down of BR2049.

[@tr-kt6lf]

Pls do this for Greta Gerwig and Danny Boyle next

[@joeskis]

digital to film then back to digital? You're telling me there isn't a digital effect to give that same effect that no one would have known the difference? Oh yeah, big budget.

[@_mixedsignals]

Derek Cianfrance! And I think Jean-Luc Godard deserves to be examined, though I personally find him a bit frustrating. I know that’s heresy, but …🤷‍♂️

[@LeonardoKlotz]

RIP Jóhann Jóhannsson

[@nikolasgomesf]

7:27 but probably needed more than 3 hours on ADR recordings for this super wide shot. poor boom op =,(

[@Zombiesnyder13]

Why didn't you put BLADE RUNNER 2049 instead of DUNE It was what made him a household big-budget auteur

[@treyliles117]

I guess it was because Dune was more of a passion project for him than BR2049

[@Layla-id5zu]

Dune was also more successful at the box office so kinda more appropriate to talk about it I think

[@spookrockcity]

Dune was incredible. Best SCI FI film of the decade.

[@faheezsyed]

Dattawale

[@hlomlamakwetu4119]

i know a white south african accent when i hear one

[@switchmuso]

How the fuck did you scroll the audio of Villeneuve's commentary around the frame of Emily? That was real-time graphics... minute 6.30...

[@bibhuranjandutta470]

Director David lean

[@Salamander676]

Half the high budget movies look like medium budget movies while medium budget movies look like high budget because of the lack of cgi and exaggerated filters, hence you get a more realistic looking film with proficient quality… aka Sicario

[@LeonardoKlotz]

PRACTICAL EFFECTS BEFORE CGI That's my motto

[@RayMcElroy50]

As much as I loved Greig Fraser's work I wouldn't feel so sure about hiring him for DUNE I'm not saying he isn't the right guy for the job, he's perfect But considering how much DUNE has in common with STAR WARS, it would be important to make it as different from Star Wars as possible, including hiring people that haven't worked on Star Wars before And considering that Fraser already worked on ROGUE ONE

[@jothishprabu8]

Seriously?

[@mindmaster58]

@@jothishprabu8 Yes.

[@adityatiwari2957]

Zack Snyder...

[@bauhaus1961]

Maybe it's just me, but I felt Dune was a huge drop off visually for Denis. Even beyond me not being a fan of the flatter and more handheld imagery aesthetic, I don't see how that aesthetic really works for the project.

[@solohmon]

It's just you

[@bauhaus1961]

@@solohmon Ah ok, lol. I didn't want to seem rude or anything, I just get more out of his other work visually.

[@Shishakli65]

This video was a lot less interesting than I was expecting

[@yargnad]

I love Denis, pretty much every flim he has directed, but Dune bored me to tears. I can't buy into Chalamet and Zendaya. Very mediocre acting. I expected much more as a life-long Dune fan.

[@hoseinvalai8758]

i beg to differ, the lower budget movies like the mentioned one had no reasonable story, no character arc and a good camera work. i think his mid budget movies are his best works like sicario and Arrival. And dune, well strong pictures and a lazy boring story telling like his lower budget movies. Thats the way i see it, no offence though

[@tensixtag9265]

2 of these I seen. not impressed. both boring

[@tinymushroom5332]

Dune was dogwater, change my mind.

[@rexs.5188]

I pray this guy does not turn out to be some hollywood weirdo that makes people cringe if he breathed your way

[@gaarax0x]

Dune is boring AF

[@TheSecurityAgency]

Dune is the worse movie, at least, of 2021, I literally walked away after 15 minutes of torture-watching.