Poor Things Behind the Scenes - How Yorgos Lanthimos Made His Craziest Film Yet

Poor Things Video Essay - We look at the cinematography, production design, and costume and make up utilized in Poor Things.
Poor Things Explained ►► bit.ly/ht-pt
StudioBinder Blog ►► bit.ly/sb-bl
─────────────────────
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Poor Things
01:03 - Yorgos Lanthimos on developing Poor Things
02:04 - Chapter 1: Cinematography
07:17 - Chapter 2: Production Design
10:21 - Chapter 3: Costumes & Makeup
13:59 - Takeaways
─────────────────────
POOR THINGS YORGOS LANTHIMOS
A new Yorgos Lanthimos film is always an event. Whatever you think of his films, they’re never boring, and Poor Things is no exception. In this video, we look at how the Greek director approached his most recent project, from cinematography to production design to costuming.
POOR THINGS CINEMATOGRAPHY
Poor Things saw Lanthimos re-teaming with director of photography Robbie Ryan, and the two set out to push the customary Lanthimos style to new limits. Seeing Poor Things, few would argue that this goal wasn’t achieved. Through unexpected and experimental lens choices, as well as distinctive approaches to color and lighting, Ryan and Lanthimos created a unique visual palette for a truly unique story.
POOR THINGS MAKING OF PRODUCTION DESIGN
Part of what makes Poor Things such a visual feast is also its production design, overseen by PDs Shona Heath and James Price. The two department heads worked together to build massive sets so that CG could be kept at a minimum. The end result was incredibly detailed and period-accurate settings, each with a distinct flavor that corresponded with the city they were representing.
YORGOS LANTHIMOS MAKEUP AND COSTUME DESIGN
Speaking of visual feast. The costume design in Poor Things is second to none, with Bella’s outfits in particular acting as scene-stealers. The costumes were created by Holly Waddington, who took a fresh approach to Victorian-era fashion. Instead of restrictive corsets, Waddington opted for more liberating poofy dresses that were both playful and eye-popping. Makeup artist Nadia Stacey took a complimentary approach, refraining from using much makeup for Bella at all.
POOR THINGS FACTS
While the vision certainly begins at the top, Yorgos Lanthimos’ aesthetic is brought to life by his accomplished team. Nowhere is this more evident than in Poor Things, where Lanthimos’ hyperstylization is on full display.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
─────────────────────
♬ SONGS USED:
“Bella” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Wee” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Bella and Max” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Mother of God” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Victoria” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Reanimation” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Bella and Duncan” - Jerskin Fendrix
“I Just Hope She’s Alright” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Lisbon” - Jerskin Fendrix
“O Quarto” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Portuguese Dance I” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Portuguese Dance II” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Goodbye Later Dove” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Duncan And Martha” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Alexandria” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Paris” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Bella / Les Yeux Bleus / Estore’s Song” - Jerskin Fendrix
“London” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Alfie” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Alfie and Victoria” - Jerskin Fendrix
“Bella, Max, and God” - Jerskin Fendrix
Music by Artlist ► utm.io/umJx
Music by Artgrid ► utm.io/umJy
Music by Soundstripe ► bit.ly/2IXwomF
Music by MusicBed ► bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq
─────────────────────
SUBSCRIBE to StudioBinder’s KZbin channel! ►► bit.ly/2hksYO0
Looking for a project management platform for your filmmaking? StudioBinder is an intuitive project management solution for video creatives; create shooting schedules, breakdowns, production calendars, shot lists, storyboards, call sheets and more.
Try StudioBinder for FREE today: studiobinder.com/pricing
- Join us on Social Media! -
Instagram ►► / studiobinder
Facebook ►► / studiobinderapp
Twitter ►► / studiobinder
#film-theory, #video-essay, #filmmaker

[@sinshenlong]

I am floored Yorgos didnt storyboard or shotlist this masterpiece.

[@IGGYLDN]

Yes and no. They decided not to create storyboards as part of their approach-with the exception of some technically complex scenes that required more practical descriptions. Instead, they wrote down each shot, noted the angles and planned the route the camera would follow. They kept that as a guide, but every scene would eventually force them to rethink what they had previously decided on and adapt.

[@StudioBinder]

The vision is strong with Yorgos!

[@simplyrowen]

That shocked me too. It would feel chaotic to me to approach that way, and like I may miss some takes I’ll need later, or an angle (or poorly executed) by the time we get to cutting (I’ve been there).

[@Boncomics]

Yeah, VERNER HERTZOG called the use of storyboards "for cowards". TSUI HARK draws his own storyboards for epic martial arts fantasies like "JOURNEY TO THE WEST". You have to take your hat off to those who put in the work.

[@luxi378]

Poor Things gives you that feeling that you crave as a film fan... being in the hands of someone who loves films. you can really feel that in every frame... Thank you as always for that behind the scenes look Studiobinder, mucho appreciato!

[@CoconutJustice]

I knew absolutely nothing about this film going into it. I loved every minute of it! Congratulations to everyone involved in making this piece of art.

[@StudioBinder]

It was full of surprises, that's for sure.

[@ehza]

Congratulations "Poor things" team, and congrats Emma

[@StudioBinder]

Congrats!

[@dianag6415]

I'm a cinematography student in my final year and I'm still inspired by your videos! :) i remember watching them when trying to be admitted to film uni. Thank you so much for all your videos.

[@paulb808]

A total masterpiece. I have no idea how Yorgos is going to top this.

[@MatimoreAgain]

Mind boggling how it didn't get best cinematography.

[@StudioBinder]

It was one of our top picks but it picked up other well-deserved Oscars.

[@DoctorJammer]

The camera work wasn't that interesting to me, besides the fish eye & vignettes i guess. It was definitely production design and costuming that made the movie beautiful and visually unique. I mean the cinematography was great but Oppenheimer deserved the win.

[@user-oc6mr1jr6s]

Too much going on

[@NancyWestgate-gj7ev]

Agreed.

[@nelsonclub7722]

your expert analysis is nothing short of astounding - you can see the Oscar worthiness of Emma in spades here

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! We put a lot into this one.

[@andreabruson5558]

What a stunning film this is, the one you won't forget in a lifetime!

[@StudioBinder]

It's a stunner alright!

[@k1dn3mesis50]

I’m impressed this was made on only a budget of 35 million; I expected at least a hundred.

[@siddharthnath7917]

Brilliant film and brilliant video detailing all of it. I'm always impressed by filmmaking techniques and also Studiobinder's research and compilation of all this information. Thank you!

[@StudioBinder]

We're glad you enjoyed it! That's why we make 'em.

[@AllThingsFilm1]

"Poor Things" is one of my favorite films of all time. I will definitely buy it when it comes online. And if I can get a DVD of the BTS that would be great.

[@StudioBinder]

It's a good one!

[@harpenfluit]

It was one of the best movies I ever watched in a cinema. Stunning. Thank you for this BTS.

[@rubytheless]

they're too genius with this

[@StudioBinder]

They really went for it, didn't they?

[@orcunnisli]

Thank you for the deconstruction of this amazing movie.

[@StudioBinder]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@cree8vision]

Great commentary for a film which just won best production and costume design, makeup/hair and of course best actress. Emma, you are amazing.

[@StudioBinder]

We were hoping it would win those awards! Every one of them was deserved.

[@MicaRayan]

It is a fantastic production. So colorful, ethereal and surreal.

[@Hwachaaah]

that super 4mm cine is so cool

[@StudioBinder]

Very cool indeed.

[@user-dg2uw8kf5y]

great video! thanks for making this.

[@meiji_apollo]

This channel is a treasure trove ❤ Thank you for the hard work

[@brendaprowse4534]

Thank you for this excellent video. It’s wonderful to know more about the technical side.

[@Kurgutt]

That film was such a good watch, I loved it. Thanks for the behind the scenes : )

[@allzverev]

perfect explaination 🙏🏻

[@alejandrocardona3253]

What a brilliant analysis!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! It's easy when the topic is so interesting!

[@Sobreversivo]

This series is great. Thank you!

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you enjoy it! What movie should we do next?

[@Sobreversivo]

@@StudioBinder If you could, the R-Rated version of Rebel Moon.

[@MwayiComfort]

This really deserves an Oscar❤

[@StudioBinder]

We really liked Poor Things so we were happy to see it win big.

[@kproductioncanada]

What a wonderful video! And what an awesome movie! Thanks for both :)

[@StudioBinder]

You're very welcome!

[@Eraserhead1995]

What a useful video! Thank you professionals

[@StudioBinder]

Glad it was helpful!

[@goflyent]

Epic job, guys!!! Everrrr ❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for that!

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Stunning cinematography. Had you not said who made it, I would have guessed at Terry Gilliam. I'm not very knowledgeable about film makers, but he's likely to go down this sort of road. At least it seems to me. This is a good thing IMHO! I'll keep an eye out for this!

[@StudioBinder]

There's an artistic kinship between Gilliam and Poor Things for sure.

[@libratula007]

If u know what u are making. You simply don’t need what is needed coz u have already mastered the masterpiece…

[@o0NinjaNinja0o]

Beautiful film, beautiful video ❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for saying so! We agree on the first part.

[@user-ky9nn1to9n]

Very nice thought provoking movie

[@5PGroup101]

Excellent, UNIMAGINABLE output from all deprtments. BELLA GLORIFIED ! OSCARS JUSTIFIED !!

[@pomskylifenova7344]

Amazing vid

[@ertertwert]

Fantastic video.

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you very much!

[@tudorevans9306]

Old school film, lenses and lighting 🎉

[@pedroesteves3018]

great score too !!!

[@StudioBinder]

Loved the music!

[@Humoyun7]

I must say that closing the video is a little bit of genuis work) Good luck, I like the way you explain movies

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you very much!

[@alejandrotarangolearns1969]

Robbie Ryan should've won the Oscar.

[@IagoAlmeidaI]

I love this type of videos, keep coming please

[@StudioBinder]

Will do! Any movie(s) in particular you'd like to see us cover?

[@IagoAlmeidaI]

Dune 2 would it be pretty amazing, thanks@@StudioBinder

[@Boncomics]

6:12 LOLOLOLOL They need to hand out more awards to the rest of the cast.

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

Even if I didn't watch the Movie Poor Things (2024) in Cinema, this Video is very Inspiring to understand the creative process Yorgos Lanthimos used to make this Film one of the Best Films this year. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder for this Inspiring video.

[@StudioBinder]

The pleasure was ours.

[@user-jj6sc1fs1p]

Great video! Would you consider making a video on all the duties that are specific to a director?

[@StudioBinder]

Great suggestion! It would have to be a whole series though. We'll think about it ;)

[@cledosliop4175]

Please make more videos like this. Valuable content. 👍🏻

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you! Will do! What movies should we cover?

[@saedkhazae]

Hello Thanks for the video Please upload English subtitles ❤

[@StudioBinder]

They should be up now. Thanks!

[@tae4177]

This film is perfection

[@matthewona]

amazing explanation. they didn’t talk about the amazing score :-(

[@Deadite1982]

I looved this film. I really did. It's the kind of film we used to get from the likes of the Arrows or Gilliam.

[@Deadite1982]

*Archers

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

Superb 🎉

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks 🤗

[@deviandrianto]

Good video, btw I like the movie

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@precioustraveler]

This video was so well done. It needs more views!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you! We put a lot into this one.

[@precioustraveler]

@@StudioBinder It SHOWS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@completelytransparent6320]

Brilliant

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@Siddharthdevmurari007]

Hello sir, I love your videos and learned a lot from your videos and I am requesting to you to make a video on "cinematography of DUNE part 2"

[@StudioBinder]

Stay tuned!

[@Siddharthdevmurari007]

Hello sir I love your videos and learnt a lot from your videos and I have a request to you that make a video on "cinemagraph of DUNE part 2"

[@StudioBinder]

Great suggestion!

[@freddyjosereginomontalvo4667]

Good videos❤ 🌍🌟

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@saranyachakraborty7339]

Can you make a video about the zone of interest

[@gravity2822]

I'm a film school student major in Production,but I always want to be a cinematographer in the future, and I've done several student film as a Dp. However, without formal cinematography education I don't think I did it right in the lighting part, so is there any rewarding book or course about lighting and cinematography?

[@Piyushpardhex24]

Could you please make a guide on how to write short films

[@rajdeepmitra3557]

how do i color text in the screenplay section

[@richteffekt]

To shoot on Reverse (!) 😅 - I nearly lost my teeth. Then I remembered, these are different times, they have computers now. The cool thing is however, the cameras, lenses and lights made more sense to me than usual bc it's all 100 ASA 35mm. What a cool show this must have been to be on. Thank you for the video!

[@StudioBinder]

Our pleasure!

[@user-be2et1qd4f]

I kindly disagree that this his most audacious, compared to Dogtooth this is a walk in the park and pretty safe. But still a masterpiece!

[@georgesaguna]

Saw the film at an Italian cinema and the wide angle scenes were not the same. Instead of being the typical circular shots, they were expanded to full screen. After watching this video I noticed that the I hadn’t seen the 4 mm shots. Watched the film again back home in Malta and there they were in wide angle form.

[@guillermorodriguezdomingue274]

Studiobinder, Can you make a Director's guide to Guillermo del Toro please?

[@StudioBinder]

Great choice! He's on our list.

[@guillermorodriguezdomingue274]

@@StudioBinder Thank you

[@halcyonlightvibes2023]

I was enthralled with the visual style, but I had no idea about the experimentation and various film stocks. And only $35 mil? You'd be unable to do that in America. Brillliant.

[@StudioBinder]

Impressive all around.

[@tobiasmyers3505]

Yeah. I think LA Confidential was made in Hungary as well.

[@user-ou8sf6qq7u]

Yorgos is genius

[@limawrittenwithL]

what i didn't understood was the timing when they changed from black & white to colour.

[@fissunix]

This movie is really great. Production design is just amazing. The only thing that was annoying I think was that ultrawide and fisheye lenses was a bit overused. It doesn’t seem to have a strong reason for so many sequences using those, especially indoors. It’s already surreal and splendid without it most of the time….

[@lucadelbosque]

Please do The Boy and the Heron next 🙏

[@StudioBinder]

Good idea! In the meantime, we did cover Miyazaki elsewhere: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ennSn2mapLZqa5Isi=bazybmkHcHTtkWrJ

[@lucadelbosque]

@@StudioBinder Oh, I didn’t know 😲 That’s amazing 🤩, I’ll watch it immediately

[@qasimplays2531]

Please do one video for “Shogun”

[@StudioBinder]

It looks amazing!

[@zn669]

do they keep the set or destroy it afterwards

[@StudioBinder]

They might keep them for a little while in case any reshoots are needed but they almost always get taken down. Especially since they shot in those sound stages, they need to make room for the next production.

[@FilmPunk]

4:26 if you want a look that's identical to the Lomo lens but on a budget get a Helios 44:2 (not 44:4) and the oldest one you can find. The first 2 digits on the lens are the year. 1970s are good. Expect to pay about £30 in the UK for them. They're hand ground Soviet lenses. Garbage really but super stylized.

[@StudioBinder]

Awesome, thanks for the tip!

[@MAYURESH8055]

First when I see poor thing teaser i thought new actress but she was Emma Stone last I seen her in Zombieland and la la story but now she looks different how 😮😮how so much difference 😥

[@Boncomics]

8:11 Wow! Unreal Engine is for video game development.

[@sanilalkuttimon1755]

❤❤❤

[@StudioBinder]

❤

[@ephraimedits]

Once you know about virtual production there's no unseeing it ... I suspected that the ship scene was done in virtual production and I kept checking on the waters' movement.

[@StudioBinder]

Did you think the water looked fake or did it pass the test?

[@ephraimedits]

It's convincing but the water is too calm and the waves move at a slower speed.

[@blueamberphoto]

PLEASE DO A VID ON Citizen Kane!!!!!! 📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸📸

[@MsAston007]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@thewebstylist]

So many scenes seem to have a fisheye lens but didn’t hear this mentioned… ?

[@StudioBinder]

For the "fisheye" shots, they used the 8mm Oppenheimer/Nikkor lens that we discussed.

[@FILMDABBA]

Which lense use Extreme wide ....? then which lense use wide angle.which lencse use full shot.which lense use medium full.which lense use medium shot.which lense use medium close.which lense use close shot.which lense use Extreme close......?and fish eye lense...... Established shot.............

[@StudioBinder]

For a breakdown of camera lenses, check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4TWeqSIaKmogZosi=W_rhDvLCtqYwM6zP

[@Dayvit78]

Let me say first that I enjoyed this film. But what I don't understand is why everybody thinks it's so weird? Except for the transplanted animals, nothing was particularly weird comparing to films like Brazil (if you want mainstream) or Rubber (if you want indie).

[@paulsonnithyarajanjl8139]

How did they didn't get oscar for cinematography ?

[@hirenvithlani4289]

Please make video on Oppenheimer

[@cree8vision]

They did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJvFp6Kjpqtmmck

[@StudioBinder]

Here ya go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJvFp6Kjpqtmmcksi=JMnLgYf7ZbeqF0mq

[@Kimandrea234]

A minute into the video

[@StudioBinder]

How'd you like it?

[@MrStratman7]

But how did they make the pastry so crisp?

[@StudioBinder]

It looked delicious, right?!

[@MarcosArangoTamayo]

Realistic Ligthing in the sea? Wuuuut

[@StudioBinder]

I guess they meant realistic for that world, not necessarily ours.

[@shiteshkumartiwari4554]

Day 9 of asking to make a video on how to shoot mirror scene ?

[@brandonscullion]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3WzeautrdVseaMsi=MwMLIjI51TK6EK_C

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion. We don't have a "how to" on that yet but we do have this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3WzeautrdVseaMsi=yCwxjSumf3p98ZNw

[@LiINammmm]

Where’s the deleted scene

[@StudioBinder]

Which deleted scene?

[@mb0133]

Great Value Terry Gilliam

[@StudioBinder]

There's some influence there, I'm sure.

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

Amazing he did not use a shot-list or storyboard for this film and kept the story right on point. I was curious though about the theme of the film since nothing in the media mentioned anything about the story line except for the mention of the performance or Ms Stone. After viewing this video, i'm not going to watch at all because the over arching subject matter, as I am understanding it from this excerpt, is too morbid. Great film production.

[@StudioBinder]

The story is a bit surreal and has some possibly disturbing material in it. But if you're looking for a movie with big ideas about how we grow up and become our own selves, it will get you thinking!

[@tobiasmyers3505]

My religious, uptight mom loved it, somehow.

[@Zombiesnyder13]

Real cinema is done the old-fashion way

[@StudioBinder]

No argument here!

[@jimmerhardy]

How can extensive VFX be efficiently done without storyboards? Hit and miss, wasting time and big money?

I have to defend the camera department here, those batteries were super old and dodgy to say the least… :)

[@StudioBinder]

Sounds like it was a happy accident.

@@StudioBinder It definitely sparked the magic!

[@untipoconbarba7692]

Wait, if this extremely complex film with so much work behind it cost 35 million... what do the blockbusters spend the 200-300 million on? I understand that post-production is expensive and requires a large team, but it is alarming that the result does not justify it in general.

[@sadiporter2966]

emma stone and mark ruffalo probably took $10m+ of that too.

[@StudioBinder]

A large budget is certainly no guarantee for success.

[@frool76]

Dune Part 2 showed what to achieve with 200M USD. Huge cast, filming in gigantic sets and in the desert, post production, score. Oppenheimer also used it budget for incredible artistic work. Maybe studios get more careful in where to invest the money. There are a lot of directors like Lanthimos out there that have the skills to create a masterpiece from less than 50M, while studios still invest into one expensive super hero movie after the other. Gladly the income finally reflects the artistic value in fhose movies.

[@Boncomics]

7:25 You can tell. Reminds me of DICK TRACY (1990) or anything Zack Snyder has filmed (outside-inside).

[@buttkissery2k]

Unreal engine saves the day! 🏆

[@WillJBailey]

Yorgos Lanthimos absolutely hates the term 'Greek Weird Wave'...

[@StudioBinder]

It's such a cool movement though!

[@soklamon]

but Lanthimos did not use any story boarding!

[@StudioBinder]

All the more impressive.

[@massive611]

Everything about this movie is amazing... except for the story.

[@StudioBinder]

What didn't you like specifically?

[@massive611]

@@StudioBinder I just thought there was so much potential with the story about Frankenstein's monster, learning about the world through a new perspective. But a lot of the story revolved too much on sexual exploration, whereas I think they could have focused on other things. Or at least focused a bit less on the sex. In other words, I think it could have been a story that would have been enjoyable to more audiences (children, families), with the same acting / production, but just something where you wouldn't feel uncomfortable watching the film in the living room when the whole family is home. That's all.

[@AssyaNastya]

@@massive611 totally agree. I want to watch this movie but really don't want to watch all dirty scenes and dialogues. (Interested in great play and production design). Well, maybe next work will be much better from this point? :)

[@frankathl1]

@@AssyaNastya”dirty scenes”? What age are you that makes you think sex is dirty?

[@finallyaugok1885]

Great video as always. Liked the artistic feel of the movies asides from the overly sexualized sex scenes. I don't think they were necessary at all to add to the story, they didn't add anything extra. The scenes really put me off.