One Way To Deconstruct There Will Be Blood - Or Any Movie

[@AtlasVx]

Now try counting the shots in a random Michael Bay movie

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

VincentSchram Let's go with something less obvious; The Rock.

[@84blizzle]

VincentSchram That would probably make me dizzy lol...like feeling nauseous from spinning in circles..

[@jayanths1221]

Drink every time a Micheal Bay movie cuts to a different shot!

[@tnttiger3079]

Sorry, the Hindu-Arabic number system doesn't allow it.

[@cannonfodder4000]

Fun fact: Transformers 5 had *three million feet of film and six editors*

[@rahultej2248]

“For most of us loving a film means wanting to know how it works.” This is why I watch these.

[@burgesssam]

Nerdwriter looking at a Paul Thomas Anderson film. Sweet jesus we've hit the peak.

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Sam Burgess We've reached peak film essay.

[@maxmonas7131]

He did The Master also.

[@augustgreig9420]

Sam Burgess Naw, Kubrick would be better, as that is who PTA imitates.

[@MissHeathen]

I dunno, David Lynch needs to be analyzed by nerdwriter. People will still be perplexed.

[@nicholashernandez4612]

Peaked? Peaked, Dee? Hahaha. Let me tell you something, I haven't even begun to peak. And when I do peak, you'll know. Because I'm gonna peak so hard, that everyone in Philadelphia is gonna feel it.

[@LikeStoriesofOld]

Any video on shots and cuts immediately reminds me of Liam Neeson hopping the fence in Taken 3; probably the best example of how not to do it

[@joshuageraldbutler8037]

oh give him a break, he is an older guy. I would like to see you hop a fence aged 65.

[@cannonfodder4000]

Just get a stunt double

[@dirtypure2023]

OP is talking about the way the shot was cut. It's a single action (jumping the fence) but there are like a dozen cuts for that single action. In terms of cinematography and the language of filmmaking, it's completely incomprehensible.

[@isaactfa]

And then the fence scenes from the Cornetto Trilogy.

[@dirtypure2023]

Edgar Fattori - Salty Taken 3 fan identified. I didn't even know those existed, actually.

[@CaioAraujoRibeiro]

This movie is such a fucking masterpiece

[@pazl3426]

A Gentleman I dont know it but seems good

[@miloslogic]

A Gentleman I concur.

[@eperot]

The New York Times picked it as the number one film of our century so far. I for one concur.

[@withnail-and-i]

eric p Mulholland Dr though, this movie is timeless

[@smokeylonesome4328]

Mulholland Drive is the best film of the 21st century, no doubt. This is a close second, and Boyhood is #3.

[@MsMegadude64]

Man, I still cannot believe that Daniel-Day Lewis has decided to retire from acting. He is, without a doubt, the greatest living actor. Whether it be theater or film. Daniel ALWAYS put 110% of effort into every project he did to the point of insanity. Gonna miss you, man. Can't wait to see what will be your final film.

[@chineduobuekwe]

Wish he could appear in Tarantino’s last film

[@DevyanshBahri]

His final film was another PTA joint, Phantom Thread!

[@natecw4164]

You're most likely dead on about the scenes where the editor removed the dialogue to let the reactions and conversation breathe. Brilliant work!

[@bravskii10]

The shots made it feel realistic like your were actually there. And it portrayed each setting perfectly. Slow, steady, and at times rough and intense. I love this movie for that

[@DrunkenM33rkat]

One of the greatest films of all time

[@BuckBreaker]

Top 10 for sure.

[@martimribeiro7538]

unique

[@Gamble..]

DrunkenM33rkat most boring fucking movie i’ve ever watched

[@thatslife8817]

@@Gamble.. ever seen your videos?

[@marcochen9117]

@@Gamble.. you don't appreciate movies, probably only values action

[@Planetbustard]

According to Cinemetrics, the longest shot in all of Taken 3 is 11.4 seconds. Just thought I'd mention that.

[@ThriftShopHustler]

Ive seen this movie a dozen times and it never gets old. Some of the lines have made it into my random ramblings like "Bastard in a Basket" lol that one kills me.

[@tommyking8560]

Arrived home yesterday, girlfriend says hello to which I respond in full character "I've ABANDONED MY CHILD"

[@iranbek]

God, my favourite movie analysed by Nerdwriter1, what could be better.

[@PROCUR4D0]

IRANBEK yessssss🙌

[@lewiscranston881]

Every Frame A Painting.

[@om3g4z3r0]

A huge fucking meteor

[@SpaceOutCat]

New York Pizza

[@iranbek]

Lewis Cranston Chanel Criswell

[@juliacoldwell1106]

Being a filmjunkie myself, I deeply appreciate your videos about films because I always learn so much from your analysis. Awesome video, keep up the great work!!

[@jacgentile5913]

Watching this just after your Ghost in the Shell video has really made composition of both films stand in contrast to each other so clearly. I want to thank you for the inspiration you bring me in your videos. I'm an artist getting back in touch with my drawing after a years-long hiatus, and I've been looking for just this kind of analyses of composition and creation. I may not be a filmmaker (yet!) but so much of this carries over.

[@mark-angelofamularcano237]

It's amazing how your appreciation for a film takes a different and deeper level when you change perspective and focus. Thank you!

[@NinjaPups]

This video could definitely apply heavily to Dunkirk. I think a lot of what you said in this could be attributed to what made Dunkirk such a masterpiece. Nolan was able to create so much tension, so much character development and create so many meaningful shots with such little dialogue and the way the film was cut.

[@Dede040TT]

Drink the milkshake

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Monarch Too late, Daniel already did.

[@meris8486]

I. DRINK. YOUR. MILKSHAKE!!!

[@tomboz777]

Monarch With a very VERY long straw.

[@ChristopheBeckers]

DRAINAGE !!!! DRAAAINAGE !!!!

[@00cryptic38]

I'm finished

[@jamesivan24]

Didn't expect "inflation" to apply to cuts, but it makes perfect sense.

[@ukaszszybowski3673]

I'm always amazed how precisely you can analyze movies in a way I could never think of

[@ItsMikeArre]

There will be blood is one of The best movies in the last 10 yrs if you haven't watched it go go now and count the scenes

[@TheFifaBaouss]

Best film of the 21st century in my opinion. A masterpiece in every sense of the word. Such an incredible look at power, greed and capitalism, driven by the best acting I've ever seen in a film from Daniel Day Lewis.

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Mike Arredondo Time to go watch yet another movie!

[@vb2388]

Mike Arredondo I preferred No Country more..although There Will Be Blood will definitely will be in my top 10 films of the 21st Century, along with Synecdoche, New York, Cache, In the Mood for Love, Werckmeister Harmonies etc..

[@Uvion]

Such a shame that this film is rated 1/5 stars on Netflix. What a bunch of plebeians, go back to watching Paul Blart Mall Cop

[@tennisdude52278]

uvion Netflix doesn't provide critic ratings. The rating it shows is how much it thinks you will like the movie. So it's saying most of the movies you watch are the polar opposite of this one, i.e. Paul Blart Mall Cop

[@CrimeanHorseArcher]

I once counted the shots in minimalistic film 'Once upon a time in Anatolia' It was around 2.5 hours film and counted around 220 shots which meant approx 45 seconds per shot on screen. Slow tempo story with layered beautiful subtext. It brought the filmmaker Grand Prix in Cannes.

[@RobMackenzie83]

"Whenever I wanna learn how a movie is put together, one of the first things I do is get a pen and paper and just count the shots. Seriously. It's not very technical and it's a bit tedious, but just tallying every time there's a cut forces you to see things in a different way--it kills the illusion just enough that the nuts and bolts come into view." LOVE THAT OPENING LINE. Brilliant glimpse into the hard work behind the beautiful insight in all of these Nerdwriter1 videos.

[@NothingNotable]

I've wanted to get into film review/ criticism for a long time and I've noticed that with most classic films almost everything to say about them has already been said. Finding something new in a beloved movie is very difficult to do yet nerdwriter continues to do it on a regular basis. Bravo my friend.

[@MrNerdista]

The mention of the shot duration in the opening of THERE WILL BE BLOOD is interesting because, not only does it work within the context of the film, but it has become a trademark of PTA's. Those long, almost pensive, takes always allow us an almost documentary-like insight into a character's lifestyle. I find that fascinating because, within those long takes, dialogue is replaced by silence. Within that silence, a story is told. Great video!

[@hdog679]

I took a class on film in high school but didn't learn as much in one year there as I do in a few episodes here

[@MrFTW733]

6:25 - I LOVE that engineer description you gave!!!

[@marcosrodriguez830]

As an engineer, I absolutely agree

[@ArnielSarethi]

The outro song is Kwickie by mtbrd, in case anyone else was wondering. Had to hold shazam up to my headphones to find out.

[@Sir_Gonzo]

What I love about your account, is the illumination of films that I loved but I didn't know why. I'm a reasonably new subscriber here and the highly infectious enthusiasm keeps me researching and exploring the medium of film. I watch a lot of movies and this dissection has added another layer, another appreciation to a director's art form. Each of your videos do that. Nerdwriter1 has pushed a small rock off a cliff for me. I have started a few scripts for some simple ideas that I'm writing in my spare time. You've started something. So I just wanted to say, thanks.

[@georgerickard5509]

Momentum of the film helped in no small part by Jonny Greenwood's great soundtrack!

[@ince55ant]

Yeah i was waiting for him to bring it up the whole vid. So much power of the edits is created by the soundtrack. Those string instuments getting louder and higher while staring at a still scene is tense as fuck making the cut much more dramatic.

[@LuisAntonioPerez327]

This is an excellent way to start studying film. I made a spreadsheet for myself to track scenes, character screen time, inciting incidents and things I identified as motifs in the movie (for this film they were family, religion, oil, violence and others). When I was a kid I did this with football games too. I was amazed at how much I learned about the game of football just by breaking down each game by every play. Something worth pointing out is that the 256-263 sequence is followed by a long tracking shot of Daniel running with H.W. across the field. The shot is 40 seconds long. So, the films' quickest shot sequence is followed by one of the film's longest uncut shots. Tracking the music and overlaying it on the shot list would also be interesting analysis.

[@zJampsodiz]

I've learned so much more about movies after I began to watch your videos, thank you for that!

[@NolanDean]

Another great essay. You've inspired me to start doing this kind of content too, and there's a lot of films I could apply this technique to. Keep up the good work man!

[@verdatum]

The reason those long takes were able to work was, in addition to the framing/cinematography, was the captivating score. That thing grips you and carries you so well through the whole thing. It should have won the Oscar for best score.

[@TheDanrach]

I found this extraordinarily helpful (I'm not a filmmaker, just a writer trying to write a scene about a young, talented filmmaker). Very grateful for these wonderfully expressed insights, thank you.

[@heisenberg2722]

Best perfomance of all time and one of the best movie of 21 century

[@fosferus]

"steady but unrelenting pace... watching a train you can't stop." brilliant connection, well done. one of my favorite movies, glad to see a keen eye look it over.

[@holygoalie3]

6:16 "It's amazing what you can learn just by looking at the shots one by one" That's literally watching the movie beginning to end.

[@Jay-vp3kk]

Man what I love about you is how you make me think about movies for pretty much the first time in my 29 years of life. Movies were always sort of this thing I always enjoyed but never really bothered figuring out what actually made watching one enjoyable for me or even what made a good movie in general. Thanks to you I'm starting to understand my own tastes in movies a bit better and why/how they are made and work as a art form. Thanks, I'm even re watching some old movies and catching nuances and shots in them that I didn't understand before but now are starting to make sense. Keep up the good work.

[@Beforethecredits]

nerdwriter, There Will Be Blood, and Daniel Day‑Lewis? *THIS* is what I have been waiting for. I hope I can reach your standards with the video essays I make.

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Before The Credits I've yet to actually see this film; I just love to hear the great things people say about it in video essays :)

[@rob8311]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS AS WELL. There Will Be Blood is one of my favourites of all time

[@J4444ke]

I mean, There Will Be Blood kind of implies Daniel Day-Lewis. Agreed it's a great film to analyze though.

[@parsuli.]

Not that it's bad but I love the way you advertise your channel. Give positive feedback in related channels and quickly mention yours. Kudos. (Saw you on Lessons from the Screenplay, noticed a trend)

[@Beforethecredits]

It's not the only way but it is one of the best ways to gain initial subscribers. As I have said a few times when people ask about it, if someone comes to my channel and leaves a good relevant comment and wants to plug their channel, go for it. I see no problem with anyone trying to give people more stuff to watch. What I do hate, is when someone comes it and says "Your channel is great, check out mine." Low effort doesn't fly with me.

[@drewdraws4]

Nailed it! As a pro storyboard artist and indie director I think about this on a daily basis. It's my favorite part of filmmaking. Love all your videos, but this one really hits home. Thanks! Cheers! - Drew

[@mimimidias]

Great work, as aways! We might try counting cuts sometime, then! :)

[@dwaynes5764]

Brother your video was fantastic. The depths that you went into in only 7 1/2 minutes is awesome. Keep up the great work for us. Much appreciated!

[@Nerdwriter1]

Welcome back to Wednesday 7am PST releases! Let's see how long it lasts.

[@brandondaniels9471]

Can you do one of these on "The Assassination of Jesse James"? I think you would do an amazing job of analysing that movie! And it would really make my day! :-)

[@brickwallpictures]

Another brilliant video from Nerd Writer. If you haven't seen it there was an interesting eye line experiment done with There Will Be Blood where test subject's eyes were monitored while they watched the film and the places within the frame that their eyes wandered was charted.

[@justtoolit6051]

TWBB is one of the best films ever and it's the best film of the 21st century

[@NotAnEnglishman]

Man you can't believe who spot on this video is. I'm just breaking down the script for my film and I'm researching There will be blood. I was a bit annoyed as you haven't been posting regularly lately but I can see the reason. Love it!

[@nickmattio3397]

“We’ll pay them Quail Prices >:•D”-Emperor Palpatine

[@trevorpacelli8056]

Excellent commentary! I'd say the best example I've seen lately with your methods put into play is A Ghost Story. There are so many shots in that film that go on for several minutes with seemingly nothing happening. Yet as these shots go on, it leaves you in anticipation to see what will happen, or what won't happen, and it really helps you to feel the turmoil that the characters feel. Yet there are still key moments where the editing pace speeds up, which in turn distresses you further as you feel the hopelessness of the main character. I absolutely recommend watching it, and I'd even love to see you do a video on it someday!

[@SauravCH2910]

I think you'll find Mr. Robot and House of cards to be great to research. I really want to know what constitutes that feeling of creepy and uneasiness. Like the dream sequence scene in House of Cards S4. Please find the time to do these...

[@acnbk]

Saurav Chaudhary better do an essay on David Lynch instead, he's the best at creating creepiness and making you feel uncomfortable

[@avedic]

how about both!

[@maximoplf]

Mr Robot is really overrated and pretentious. House of Cards may have some interesting points though.

[@rip6592]

House of Cards is trash especially season 5

[@thephilosopher7173]

ce smith but really how can it be written any better? Its aim is to be 'closer to home'. When in a natural setting, and things get too fancy with words it takes you away from the immersion.

[@Dwarltier]

I watched All the President's Men for the first time last night as was struck by how thoughtful editing made the composition stronger and stand out. More of this in films, please.

[@thecuttlekid2758]

bruhhh what's the music in your outro? it's a bop! also, great video,

[@HelpMeFindTheseSongs]

Lee Rosevere. It's in the video description.

[@michaduszkiewicz2103]

Mtbrd - Kwickie

[@Polveria]

Thank you so much for your love for PTA he's my absolute #1 role model and I'm so glad that this isn't your first time doing an essay about him. Love yuh, Nerdwriter

[@yohanalexander2850]

Please do it on Mad Max Fury Road.

[@anthonylopez6036]

Yohan Alexander ^^

[@FrennisDaemon]

Thank-you so much for making these well crafted videos. Your film analysis (as well as a few other KZbinrs), has helped me to appreciate my favorite movies even more. Keep up the great work!

[@TxWIll]

Anyone know the song at the end of the vid? I tried the bandcamp link but it doesn't seem to be any of the two.

[@ryanm7188]

hey yo i just wanted to say that this little clip has completely changed the way i watch movies.....the counting scenes thing has made me appreciate the construction of films so much more....not just in TWBB but everything else..just wow

[@Uvion]

Such a shame that this film is rated 1/5 stars on Netflix. What a bunch of plebeians, go back to watching Paul Blart Mall Cop

[@danieloloan8525]

Did you just unironically use the word "plebians"?

[@ryan59480]

How? There's no such thing as stars on Netflix anymore.

[@alalmalal]

Netflix rating system is based on what you watch, and is shit anyways

[@QuietGuitaristfan]

Woah!! I understand your anger at people not liking a masterpiece, but there's no need to go attacking Paul Blart, A true American hero.

[@waw7fixed9]

😂😂😂😂

[@Kraigon42]

I've usually never heard of the movies you talk about, but I love hearing you talk about them.

[@gigglysamentz2021]

I loved There Will Be Blood... At the time I was watching series, like The Office US. And I got bored of the characters always being the same. The scenes were all about "What would that character say in this situation?". Then I watched There Will Be Blood and fell in love with movies again. It is one story, from beginning to the end, following some very interesting characters. And the characters change and age through the experience. It's great !

[@The_Ajna]

Your content always makes me think harder about he subject matter. Thanks for the great videos

[@dionysianapollomarx]

Duuuuude. Are you going to make a Dunkirk analysis? Pleeeeeeaase do. Haha.

[@adityashrestha7116]

This needs to be the top comment by any means!!!

[@outofstock22]

Probably when it comes out on DVD/Bluray.

[@inhakkim7411]

Dunkirk was so awful... why

[@Nofixdahdress]

SKLR I read it in Mark Sestero's Tommy Wiseau impression.

[@chriseflores5253]

Tardi Grade Thank you for another gift, vid-essay daddy.

[@wdm2112]

This may be my favourite film. It is hauntingly captivating from the moment it begins. The long shots and pauses I'm sure help to draw us in, waiting with bated breath for the next moment.

[@RedRose9137]

Please do a video on Dunkirk.

[@Dr.JeremyDunks]

I genuinely think that this, all-around, is the best film ever made.

[@lucapopescu1250]

Can you do Clockwork Orange or American Psycho?

[@IntoxiKent]

I'm going to start doing this immediately. The way you break it down is fascinating. I want learn the craft more intimately. Thank you.

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

I'm so early that C.W. Plainview's biological father is still alive.

[@LupeJustinian]

I'm Very Angry It's Not Butter!! H.W.*

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

Shit. My one chance at this kind of comment, and I fucked it up. ♪ _Soy un perdedor_ ♪

[@84blizzle]

I'm Very Angry It's Not Butter!! You can edit it though.☺

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

I could, but I think it's better to leave it as is and let others laugh at my mistake. It's a fitting punishment for succumbing to the temptation of writing an "I'm early" comment.

[@alexanderstojanow3773]

Your videos on dissecting movie making techniques are always the best!

[@SupremeMarioGamer]

You should do a video on Fight Club. Sounds like the type of movie for you to pick apart.

[@makmart5298]

Just rewatched the movie, now need to rewatch again to count the shots. Great video!

[@therogue1542]

if he counted shots in all movies, birdman must have been an easy watch

[@fragr33f74]

TheRogue actually it'd be pretty tricky coz of the hidden cuts

[@Michael_Lederman]

Another great video that makes us think of movies in a whole new way and thus appreciate the hard work that goes into them even more.

[@jeremyformerlyknownastoken8218]

Can you maybe do more vids about music?

[@jeremyformerlyknownastoken8218]

Or Poems

[@rolanddeschain6089]

Paintings, literature and history please!

[@richardsantanna5398]

Nah, more anime would be better.

[@michaelfarley7897]

Your videos are fascinating, man. So refreshing to find content like this.

[@Snout007]

Tried to check shot length and etc movies I disliked vs movies I liked. There is no big difference so it's kind of pointless.

[@reservoirfrogs2177]

benukysz It really only works when you compare a regular shot movie to a movie like this or No Country For Old Men, or Kubricks movies

[@kierankd10]

Dude your videos only get better and better, and they started out great!

[@andrewwashiku]

im so early!! you rock nerdwritter

[@jasongeorgis3483]

I just did this exact process on PTA's follow up to There Will Be Blood, The Master from 2012. Considering it's PTA and he shot it in 70mm it shouldn't be a surprise that he seemed to cut as little as possible, with an average shot length of about 16 seconds (only 484 shots in a movie over 2 hours!) What really stood out to me in this process, was seeing how PTA broke the convention of how one normally edits a shot-reverse-shot for conversations. Since so much of The Master is conversations between Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman it makes sense to allow each of them as much time as possible per question and answer to fully act out the emotions of the moment and not step on their work by cutting it to death. But it really did make me realize that each cut was done intentionally after a specific response was elicited from Phoenix or when Hoffman was ramping up the stakes of the questions, and not simply when a new person was talking. Not only does this examination process make you pay attention to how much PTA trusts his audience to just sit in a scene and let it develop at the right pace, but it really highlights the great performances he got out of Phoenix, Hoffman, as well as Amy Adams. Since I first saw The Master, it's always intrigued me, and even though I could tell there was something about it that was brilliant, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Thanks to Nerdwriter1 for suggesting this technique because even though it didn't peel back the curtain completely, it gave me a new way to think about this movie and see it on a different level.

[@abhishekmather8453]

65 notifications but I only see one word NeRDWRITeR1

[@jacobpaint]

ok, you've got me. I probably should have subscribed after the first one but now after watching a few I can see the consistent quality in your videos and the very focused analyses. subscibed.

[@Wanooknox]

I dare you to do this for Birdman.

[@acnbk]

I love films with more longer takes than quick cuts, it's way more immersive to me... The "introduction" to Plainview is my favorite scene (the close-up at 5:30, done in one take)

[@Irohin]

One of my favorite movies

[@Spykyportable]

The work on your videos are remarkable. great insights as usual.

[@AirlinerGold]

DON'T BE THICK AL.

[@crystalelf24]

First time I go to your channel in weeks and I see that you upload a new video. Now that's what I call good timing.

[@mdruffy235]

I never understood all the praise this movie gets, technical and editorial merits aside. I'm all for movies that have a slow build up if the movie is still entertaining and something actually happens. But Daniel Plainview was a selfish dick at the start and at the and of the movie with very little happening in between. I suppose he got angier over time...

[@trevorpacelli8056]

That's kinda the point. The movie's purpose was to portray the corruption of man when greed tempts them to grow in their fury, and Daniel Plainview was supposed to be the embodiment of that anti character growth.

[@mdruffy235]

Well, if that is indeed the point of the movie I would have wanted it to communicate that in a more effecient (meaning faster, this movie is way too long for what it is) and interesting way. I remember actually looking at the clock several times while watching it. That's a sign of my not being engaged by the movie. Obviously, that's just my personal opinion.

[@trevorpacelli8056]

If that's the case, then it doesn't mean the movie itself was weak, it means more that it wasn't made to appeal to your personal tastes.

[@mdruffy235]

That is basically true for every piece of art. If it is objectivly competently made (and there is no contrary argument to be made here, I think) the enjoyment of it will always come down to personal taste. The lack of any real character development in this movie was just not something I enjoyed.

[@ericpircher]

I'm glad to see someone else who feels the same way I do about this movie. I hated this film with a passion. It's one of the few films I walked out of early. Daniel Plainview was an irredeemable prick. I know plenty of Plainviews in real life, no need to pay for the non-privilege to spend 3 hours with one.

[@hmm3265]

I really look forward to every video you put out. Excellent stuff. Keep it up!

[@KutWrite]

Wonderful! Loved the outro, too. "I'll be back" to sample more of your work!

[@MelodicMethod]

made me realize how little technical analysis i do of film/tv; prefer to think about development of the characters. to each their own; great vid. thanks for sharing.

[@geofreyvictory6451]

I'm imagining Nerdwriter in front of a TV watching There Will Be Blood frame by frame, jotting down notes, numbering frames, counting down length of frame. Sometimes, the work he puts on his videos go unnoticed.

[@tusharkumar8750]

PTA's leaving Film school to learn about Movie Making is one of the best decisions ever.

[@davidjameswheatley1662]

I appreciate your writing and individualism in your expression

[@ironboxfilms]

Barry Salt was my teacher at the London Film school. I remember him teaching about his at school! good to see his work mentioned!

[@b1g_m00n]

I love your work so much. And the fact that you keep making videos about stuff that I like helps.

[@WhiteCollarCrimeDNB]

I've always wondered how much the gradual decrease of the average shot length can be credited to the inception and proliferation of digital filmmaking. Between a newfound ease of editing & the sheer logistical value of not needing to have your film developed, copied, and physically shipped to a cutting room I expect the increase in the number of shots is at least partly due to the savings in both time and money allowing more room for experimentation. I'm still looking for hard data on it but I'm willing to bet that shot length decreases as films shot in digital formats increase.

[@ghosface353]

I remember I was obsessed by this in college. I think Quantum of Solace had something to do with that. That opening scene with all that fast editing, just made me go crazy. I wasn't so obsessed that I counted whole film, but action scene I will count the shit out over. I would take screenshot over frame, so i didn't actually need to count them. Of course counting is just a small part, studying each shot and the relationship to each other is where the meat is. The last time I was concious of this was last week when I watch Allied, and then Deepwater Horizon. I do think Deepwater Horizon is the better film, but the editing and cinematograph of Allied seem to want to be more of a classic Hollywood film. It had slower editing, it keept longer and shot and let you breath it in. The pace was a lot slower, but it still worked for me. Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the few directors that still do that still. Watch Allied, and then watch a very current day stylish film like Deepwater was eye opening. I mostly saw the contrast in the beginning of Deepwater as their you have these exposition and character developing scene, and still cut like it's an action scene. I want filmmakers to try to edit a little less, specially in dialogue scene. Let the performance breath more. Let the actor act, and not just create the performance in the edit. For action fast editing has it purpose, and even in comedy fast editing can be very usueful. Just look at some of Edgar Wright's films.

[@linkfan160]

I'm totally going to count the shots for my favourite movies now. Thanks for the tip!

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

Editing is a HUGE aspect of every film. I feel that film critics rarely talk about it. Now that everyone has a kind of a filming device, go out and make a movie...go to the Beach, or the Park, then edit away. I love photography...ie., film.

[@arikathehuman2025]

thank you for all your videos. I discovered your channels through your art analysis videos. Since then, I have discovered so many my other interesting culture products.