How is this shot from so freaking EPIC?!

The lighting of the beacons in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is an incredibly powerful moment. And the shot that starts the sequence is absolutely *epic*! But what makes it so epic?
Join Shot Zero as we breakdown what compositional elements we think make this shot feel so huge!
#filmmaking #cinematography #directing #lordoftherings #returnoftheking #shotdesign

[@thomasluk1913]

Love the breakdown and analysis. I'm glad i bumped into your channel from the youtube algorithms. please keep the content coming!

[@_shotzero]

Thanks, will do!

[@fredslipknot9]

I’ve always loved this scene and you describe it perfectly. Really insightful, thank you. Please do more, I love your video about The King as well.

[@_shotzero]

Definitely more to come! We've got about two years of content on our substack and three years of content on our instagram. The video thing is new to us!

[@fredslipknot9]

@@_shotzero oooh substack!

[@_shotzero]

@@fredslipknot9 Yup, all free too: shotzero.substack.com

[@istovall2624]

Don't forget the epic score and the thrill of the theatre's initial viewing sparking nostalgia. Lotr best movies of all time.

[@Crystallinum_]

Jeez, I love this analysis. It really encapsulates what I feel when I watch the movies but I could never understand why I felt that way. I'm glad that the algorithm picked up on your latest video, subbed!

[@_shotzero]

Thank you for saying and for subbing!

[@DaedalusRaistlin]

Awesome, never thought about it like that, but I think you nailed it. Hoping you do more from LOTR in the future, there's plenty of great shots to choose from.

[@masonhart6003]

Love the analysis!

[@_shotzero]

Thank you!

[@billmiller4972]

"This is the kind of stuff Michael Bay dreams of! Cool back-stab!

[@_shotzero]

Honestly, not trying to be a back stab! I really love Bay’s style and the way he stacks layers to create parallax. That’s what I was going for here!

[@billmiller4972]

@@_shotzero No harm done. Have a nice weekend!

[@_shotzero]

@@billmiller4972 thanks! You too!

[@duedecimal6622]

well the soundtrack helps, like a lot. Watch it without sound if you dont believe me.

[@matthewm2139]

Had the theater I was in cheering. I know this video was focused on the visual elements, but you can't neglect the music if you're talking about the epic-ness of this sequence.

[@scottc.7371]

Nice channel, binged watched a bunch. Your videos are a good length and very substantial. You dont fluff around when you speak. Subscribed.

[@_shotzero]

Welcome aboard! Thanks so much.

[@dessertstorm7476]

they would cgi this today. Thats no even an exaggeration. I've seen recent films where atrain going through a tunnel or a helicopter taking off was obvious CGI. They are just so lazy now.

[@_shotzero]

This shot already has CGI!

[@dessertstorm7476]

@@_shotzero i know. But NOT ENOUGH!

[@bradberkely7448]

shut up you got my sub

[@_shotzero]

Thank you!

[@SkarKingg]

Have you watched the fights in Willow?

[@_shotzero]

The movie or series?