Magnolia’s Editing Gone Wild

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Keep your filmmaking on track with Milanote. Sign up for free: thisguyedits.com/milanote2 Check out the Patreon Bonus Story here (Any Tier Access): thisguyedits.com/magnolia

[@3commentor]

Where did you get that great BTS footage of PTA rehearsing scenes? Really cool!

[@MarcusandJillsHappyTrails]

Hi (Should we call you "This Guy?") I wanted to say we signed up for Milanote and we love it! We've been looking for a way to build out a beat board and this looks like a great way to do it. Thanks!

[@jothishprabu8]

Magnolia is one of the best paced movie of all time. Not a single scene is boring nor a single shot is out of place.

[@buladdd]

Нет, если разбираться в кино, то ты поймёшь, что множество сцен просто лишние. Даже PTA говорил, что если бы он снимал Магнолию сейчас, то вырезал бы многое оттуда.

[@theeditcove7322]

I really appreciate how "This Guy Edits" tackles some of the most complex films ever made from a story and editing standpoint. I've always found it fascinating how filmmakers can successfully write something so complex, yet have it be plateable and fluid for its audience. Something like parallel action is something we all clearly understand, but it can be challenging for filmmakers to convey convincingly without creating confusion. Thank you for diving into relatively uncharted territory and giving us this video!

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Thank you. Really enjoyed your video on Tiger King!

[@RyanLawless]

I feel that the phone scene is stronger because he hangs up first, before the call can be interrupted by her outburst. By hanging up first, his character's motivation comes into sharper focus. He wants an in-person confrontation. Had she hung up on him, his motivation might have evaporated at that moment given the character's hypervigilance. There's an element of parallelism in the actions of both characters that lends itself to a deeper sense of each. Knowing that he's on his way regardless of whether he hung up or, unknown to him, that she disconnected the line adds a sense of fatalism to the unfolding storyline, like it's predetermined that a face-to-face is going to take place.

[@yourcamerabags]

This is one of the movies which blew me away after watching it the first time the theatre. I saw it with a friend back then and we didn't talk for like 10 minutes after leaving the cinema. VG aus FFM

[@embarklife]

i like the fact that the phone hanging up is confirmed by two independent wills on both sides. it's almost like, a double confirmation of how nothing happens by chance, that phone conversation was never ever going to happen, not a chance. this was a masterful study of such an iconic film. thank you for putting it together.

[@AsciiKing]

The phone scene increased the tension or at least added an emotional kick in the gut to us. It was showing us this huge effort put forth by Phil to try and get the father and the son reconnected. We saw the near insurmountable difficulties he had to get to the point where the son was about to be on the other end of the line. We saw how happy and proud he was about it. Then the world of crazy drama intervenes and she slaps the phone away from him. And we, as the audience know the phone call will never happen, because the son tossed the phone away. We also know, that Phil is left wondering what he should do. We know that he is disappointed and left in this awful spot where he doesn't know if he should try again or if he really screwed up. I think Phil is a healthy person, from a healthy family and we are seeing how all of this other families crap is hurting him.

[@fastscreenplay]

I think this is the best thumbnail in the history of KZbin. Hats off to you, sir.

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Much appreciated. Unfortunately, it appears to be too subtle for most :)

[@fastscreenplay]

@@ThisGuyEdits Editing is the art of subtlety, which is why it’s perfect. It might not draw the most eyeballs, but it’ll certainly draw the right ones.

[@donnyscallz]

I have always considered this PT Anderson's Masterpiece- even above There Will Be Blood or Boogie Nights. Boom! There I said it.

[@FatLazyCat93]

Its my fav movie of all time tbh, so I agree wholeheartedly

[@lbrtvlldr]

I'm with you, Dan. For me it's Magnolia #1, There Will Be Blood #2.

[@grantschulz9730]

I agree

[@scatterbrainpictures1790]

Magnolia is my favorite film of all time. Amazed that you did a video like this. Paul Thomas Anderson is the greatest auteur and Dylan Tiechnor is an editing genius.

[@jothishprabu8]

PTA is underrated

[@SnailHatan]

I don’t think you understand what an amateur is

[@elasticharmony]

@@SnailHatan not amateur but author.

[@SnailHatan]

@@elasticharmony It’s actually auteur, but I see that I misread it. 🤷🏼‍♂️ alas

[@ActualKaktus]

Magnolia builds, and builds, and builds, and BUILDS, AND BUILDS....and when you're just about to reach your mental and emotional breaking point, the rain stops, and it's silent. Blissful release. Jason Robards regret monologue had me in tears.

[@tyler951]

I watched Magnolia for the first time yesterday and it was the shortest 3+ hour movie I've ever watched. I'm working an overnight schedule right now and my thought was watch 45 mins to an hour before I go to sleep but it completely pulled me on to the roller coaster of emotion and I couldn't stop it. I can't wait to watch it again.

[@fredericlebel229]

Just the most efficient way to analyse a a storytelling, editing and directing process. I wish you coud do the same for 50 more crucial movies. Thank you very much!

[@ZincOOOOWL]

Great video! Another interesting detail is that when the movie actually *begins* we see the first three main characters in reverse relative to their introduction in the opening montage: Frank > Claudia > Jimmy > Stanley > Donnie > Earl > Linda > Jim in the intro, and then Jim > Linda > Earl > Frank > Claudia and Jimmy > Donnie > Stanley in their first scenes. It's a nice touch considering that the audience risks losing track of information in such a rapidly progressing plot.

[@Digital.Done.Right.]

Haven't seen this film and thank you for stopping the review when you did. What a fascinating example of the power of the edit. Thanks Sven

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BoseBish]

Absolutely delighted to see that you covered Magnolia. An indubitable masterpiece of art from America's seminal filmmaker - PTA. Thank you for this!

[@MartinBustamanteSolares]

Thank you for this video Sven!! Magnolia is a beautiful film very dear to my heart!!

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pineapplejam.]

Really really good video essay. Revealed things about the structure that I had never noticed. Well done!

[@judematmor368]

I remember watching this movie in the theater back in the day, is probably one of the best acting direction ever made. Probably the only time I loved Tom Cruise acting haha Thanx for this and many of your videos, really helps me to understand the essence of cinema. Greetings from Uruguay

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Agreed. Tom did alright in this movie :)

[@KrolikPudding]

@@ThisGuyEdits He was amazing in Magnolia. Should have got Oscar for it.

[@_AaronAndrews]

My favorite movie analyzed by one of my favorite channels 🙌

[@insanejughead]

I've crossed the line. That line being I instinctively buy any movie the Sven talks about. I'll be back to finish this video later, so I avoid spoilers.

[@joshuahayden6955]

Great Video! I can't believe I have yet to see Magnolia.. I love PTA.

[@aoflores4895]

Bit of trivia: That shot at the intersection, “Magnolia Blvd” (right before the rain of frogs sequence), is actually Victory Blvd & Laurel Canyon, on the border of Van Nuys and North Hollywood. I used to work in the one of the buildings shown in that shot-which excited me to no end as I am a big fan of the movie Magnolia. Great video.

[@elikebudi]

Great video, great remarks. Very well crafted

[@kangcesa]

This movie is so crazy make my brain blow up, and now you make video bout Magnolia editing!! U r crazy Sven🤟 love it, make my brain blow up again. Thank u bro.

[@ThisGuyEdits]

🙌

[@jhjhjhjhjhjhify]

My favourite movie. I've seen people call it overindulgent, overlong and boring. These people are cowards, haha. Anyway, love this breakdown. Really gives a sense of how the editing works on not only a structural level but an emotional one too.

[@yousefcreative]

The best part about PT Anderson's whip pans into cuts "whoosh-cuts", Wes Anderson's whip pans, and old Kung Fu movie catch zooms, is they're silent. We only get visual information, not audio. There isn't a cheap sounding "whoosh of air" sound effect to go along with it. As someone who watches an ungodly amount of KZbin, there usually is that sound effect on transitions and even on text animations. Usually 6db too loud. What are your thoughts on it, This Guy Edits? P.S. most of the links in your deception aren't working.

[@ThisGuyEdits]

I used to be that guy that put sound effects on titles and transitions :) Thank you for letting me know about them links. They should be fixed.

[@marque5032]

Thank you for this video. Magnolia is one of my top three movies of all time. It‘s a pity that you (probably for copyright reasons) couldn‘t use the original soundtrack by Aimee Mann. There probably is no other film out that is so much shaped by it‘s music. It‘s very interesting to see your view on the editing, since the camera work is so extraordinarily precise that one tends to forget that there was a cutter needed at all. It‘s also very interesting to read the original screenplay. I bet that PT Anderson already knew most of the camera movements and edits before he shot the first take. This is the greatest example of a movie that‘s thoroughly stylized and constructed and at the same time completely character driven.

[@jothishprabu8]

Respect da kok

[@shcxatter2]

If you're kind enough to share, which are the other two of your most cherished movies? I think we have similar taste for those things. I think that, Magnolia, Happiness, American Beauty and Eyes Wide Shut are perfect movies, and nothing comes even close to them.

[@MegaReaso]

wow incredible analysis. love P.T Anderson. great film

[@robertdankowski1495]

I admire your patience for studying the movies cut by cut

[@LaneCarter]

Thank you for not giving away what else happens in the film.

[@deloreanized]

Magnolia is the culmination in PTA's "Scorsese on steroids" phase. Punch Drunk Love is the first time I felt PTA was delivering a more intrincated, complex personal style than the sum of his references.

[@MooseheadStudios]

Quality content through and through. enjoyed

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Much appreciated!

[@Pradip..]

I read "Mongolia's editing..."

[@inkk6228]

You have PDF

[@yonamekibel4025]

Finally the love magnolia deserves

[@killshotmediaproductions]

TBH guys I struggled with the sound on this one. It seemed to be a creative decision, however I had to have the subtitles on to hear what the characters were saying because the music was so loud. Any thoughts on this?

[@RealPragueGuides]

Great analysis!

[@SPT1]

Very interesting as usual, and one of my favorite movies. My regret about this is that you didn't go all the way, I would have preferred if you just warned people there would be spoilers at the beginning an then went on analyzing to the end. Also what do you think about Once Upon a Time in America (European cut of course), do you think there would be some interesting things to analyze in this one ?

[@LuisSierra42]

Respect the Drone and tame the count

[@aniruddhagowda8072]

We know the choice T.J. made. When she tells him to cut the call, it's a different kind of tension, in fact it's a character based, more internal tension rather than a situation based which would've happened had he cut before showing T.J.'s choice. The fact that he's probably on his way and that she doesn't know gives the dramatic irony of the audience knowing this.

[@ViennaLPS]

Yes, this movie is everything

[@HowToCookVegetables]

Such a good thumbnail hahaha.

[@shadownight2263]

hi i wanted to aks i am learning davincy and and all the jobs in my country use premier pro what do i do stay in davincy?

[@TheDukeWin]

In regards to the phone call hang up situation. i liked this part of the film, that yes, the characters both make a choice, but that those choices were kind of made for them anyway. that their choice although made, isnt always theirs to make.

[@joserangelve]

And now I have to see this movie, he he he.

[@nedstudios6490]

Im sold on this film.

[@JensGH]

Great video!

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@peraxelhagne1400]

Great video, any content on PTA is very welcomed to KZbin!

[@NostalgiNorden]

Never been able to sit trough this film.

[@matthewbishop8395]

Ok

[@mg6945]

When I first saw Magnolia, my thought throughout it's entire run was, "Shit, this is 3 hours long? Definitely doesn't feel like it." The editing in that film is vital to that film working, otherwise it could've just felt like a slog throughout the three hour runtime.

[@MouhcineAlMansouri]

Hello Sven, i liked your video. well done ! Your link from your description to sign up at milanote didn't work

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Thank you. I retested the links and they are working for me. From which country are you from?

[@MouhcineAlMansouri]

@@ThisGuyEdits Morocco - I registered from the link in your comment

[@Dewgs.]

How do you feel about the editing in the movie "Babel"?

[@dominostories9844]

Which software does he use for intercutting can any one tell i have been searching for months

[@bhinspiration9280]

Great 👌👌👌

[@acadvideoart]

Good work ☺️

[@ThisGuyEdits]

Thanks 😊

[@Jacob-lb7lx]

I want to learn more about editing, I think it is awesome and I want to try it like as a job in the future. The far future cause I'm only like 16 but I want to learn but I have no idea where to start. I kind of understand the software but I dont know how to learn actually editing not just being technically able in editing but learning how to edit. Does that make sense? Anyway do you have any ideas on how I can start learning?

[@glmstudiogh]

Hello, I am grateful for all your breakdowns and lessons and also on podcast. please can you watch and brake down "Superfly"?. I think it's a grate movie and you'll love it. Greg here, all the way from Accra-Ghana

[@TheFaustianMan]

One is the looniest number that you ever see. 1 is the horniest number

[@lilbanana6159]

which editor does he use

[@kameronbasseri1953]

Holy shit this blew my mind ....insane

[@TylerF]

Patrick H Willems and This Guy Edits posting back to back?! 😁

[@ThisGuyEdits]

You know it!

[@againagain394]

Think you

[@svharken6907]

Is Pi by aronofski edited in a Fibonacci sequence?.. I thought it was at the ttime

[@itierney]

Yeah, it's one of the best films ever made.

[@Shannik.M]

I thought he meant the editing of Magnolia by Playboi Carti xD

[@cavalrycome]

Too many youtube ads interrupting an otherwise interesting video.

[@BenAllanCM]

To be honest I think this was a missed opportunity both the editor and PTA have said that the film is to long. I challenge you to cut it down! Now that would have been a better video- just a thought

[@puepole]

I love Boogie Nights, but I've always considered Magnolia the best made terrible movie ever. It's so well put together that it takes you over an hour before you realize it's a piece of shit.

[@3U9ENE]

Love this video but I STRONGLY disagree with your take at the end regarding the phone call part. If PTA were to do a thing where Frank Macky decided to pick it up but the phone is cut out, it would instantly break the wall Frank built towards his father. That character isn't ready for it yet. It's all about the characters' experiences. For Frank, he chooses to not talk to his dad and hung up on it. To Phil, the phone call is no longer possible because Linda doesn't want it to happen. Which is a pretty major part that help shape Phil's journey in the remainder of the movie. Just because two solutions lead you to the same conclusion does not mean they are redundant. It is all about the characters' experience. PTA made the right choice there.

[@AlexanderBergmanFilms]

Magnolia is a smoother version of Altman's SHORT CUTS

[@radusocol2613]

That's true I watched both films one after the other and felt the same. You can really see how Short Cuts potentially influenced PTA to use a game show as both symbolism and to bind Magnolia's narrative structure, cause of that one shot in Short Cuts where the camera pushes in on the Jeopardy board game. And even though Magnolia's parallel editing is more seamless the films are so different in tone, which is probably why I prefer Short Cuts since I'm a sucker for dark comedy. Even then it's great comparing the films cause you can really see how great filmmakers build on the shoulders of giants

[@OhtaniHeaven]

Everyone has issues 🤣

[@deloreanized]

With all due respec... 80% of the "cuts" you praise are fundamentally director decisions. They have absolutely nothing to do with editing the film. Paul Thomas Anderson shoots with a specific outcome in mind. It's not like he sits down with his editor and start sculpting the movie from scratch. I mean, PTA does not shoot everything from every single angle to service the editor. He goes straight for a specific rendering of the scene at the end of the process... from the get go. So to speak, the magnificent shots he pulls out ar not "cut" but assembled in order, one organically leading to the next one and so forth. PTA is not a writer who then shoots the film and finally cuts it together. He's got an overall vision and just goes for it.

[@OhtaniHeaven]

Stronger choices? 🤣

[@williamwm6944]

3 commercial interruptions in the first 8:30? Sorry, I’m done. Unsubscribe me.

[@constatine02]

I stopped watching after the 3rd ad.

[@kinghadbar]

I miss old PT. This new PT has very little energy.

[@matthewbishop8395]

But is making better movies. Magnolia is my favourite pta film but as a filmmaker he keeps getting better and better

[@radusocol2613]

He's moved from intense emotions and moods to quiet intimacy with interjections of outbursts. I don't think it's a bad thing he's just adapted the way he used to juxtapose states of mind, whether he does it better or not who are we to say

[@EddieLensweiger]

great video! Don't call her bad acting but Moore feels like ruin this film, all her dramatic emotional scenes feels too much and off the track, annoying than captivating.

[@aoflores4895]

Bit of trivia: That shot at the intersection, “Magnolia Blvd” (right before the rain of frogs sequence), is actually Victory Blvd & Laurel Canyon, on the border of Van Nuys and North Hollywood. I used to work in the one of the buildings shown in that shot-which excited me to no end as I am a big fan of the movie Magnolia. Great video.