The Goodfellas Copa Shot: As Told by the Guy Who Shot It | Art of the Scene

It’s been over 30 years since Martin Scorsese released his gangster movie classic, Goodfellas. On this episode of Art of the Scene, we’re talking to Larry McConkey, the Steadicam operator on one of Goodfellas’ best scenes - The Copa shot. He’s going to tell us all about his behind the scenes experiences working with Martin Scorsese, Ray Liotta, and Michael Balhaus on one of the best long shots in the history of film.
While Martin Scorsese has directed classic films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Departed, his depiction of the 1960’s Italian mafia still holds up as one of the best mob movies of all time. Sure, Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro gave great performances- both Tommy DeVito and Jimmy Conway are iconic characters. However, Scorsese’s long shot through the Copacabana is easily one of Goodfellas best clips. In this video, while it doesn’t feature an original Martin Scorsese interview, we discuss what makes The Copacabana scene so special. Larry McConkey talk to us about how he worked with Ray Liotta (Henry Hill), who channeled his inner gangster, and improvised some of the most memorable moments in the whole movie.
Honestly, The Copacabana scene is really just an incredible piece of cime cinema (plus the best Goodfellas scene while also being one of Goodfellas best moments) and we hope you really enjoy watching this piece of Goodfellas analysis.
For more movie lists and film analysis be sure to check out Cinefix!

[@CineFix]

Hey Everyone, thanks so much for watching the lastest Art of the Scene. October is right around the corner, so you know what that means - horror movies. Let us know in the comments what classic horror scenes you'd like to see us tackle on the next Art of the Scene.

[@MinddKidzag]

Any scene from Tom Hooper's "Cats".

[@chitown1782]

Eraserhead!

[@maximumoccupancy]

The Sunday May 11th, 1980 sequence from GoodFellas!!!!!!!

[@layicorn]

I would say Se7en, The Thing, or Alien, but you guys already did those... Perhaps The Shining or The Exorcist

[@gusmackenzie2361]

The Ending of Halloween 4 or the opening of Halloween 1

[@mynameisrandy]

The Steadicam operator to Scorcese: "Hey, I took care of that thing for ya."

[@m.nightshammertime1518]

And then there was Nicky Eyes.

[@mohamedashian604]

M.Night Shammertime and Mikey Franzese

[@theguywhoisaustralian1465]

@@mohamedashian604 and Jimmy Two Times, who got that nickname cuz he said everything twice like......

[@mohamedashian604]

TheGuyWhoIsAustralian i’m gonna go get the papers get the papers

[@ernestolombardo5811]

What, you mean that Brooklyn thing? "No, no, the other thing..." That thing near where Shelly used to live?

[@oliverklosov5153]

As many times as I've watched this film I never noticed they went through the same door twice in the kitchen.

[@ilikeemerica9619]

Neither have I, that’s how good their “tricks” worked on us

[@vigneshshanker5053]

I noticed when i watch it second time, i know iam fooled, but i have watched this movie more than 10 times😁, me and the movie are goodfellas

[@oliverholmes-gunning5372]

Same, must have seen the film 30 or 40 times (and this scene alone a good many more), and never, ever picked up on that. Amazing!

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

I noticed it, but I didn't notice they changed the entire dressing in between? It's supposed to be a different door, but I never noticed...

[@paulgerhard5170]

well they go in circle in the kitchen, but it really looks like they use another door

[@NiceDudeMovieNight]

It's amazing hearing about this scene from the perspective of the Steadicam operator. Especially after learning that he had so much to do with how the scene looks and feels.

[@seth410]

I’m sure some of it is even true!

[@bn3121]

I love the part where he talks about Marty's reaction: "no no no, you have to have the table FLY in!" - such a tiny alteration to the scene but it has a huge impact on the feeling. Following the waiter as he lifts the table ober his head and watching the cloth flutter as it moves is one of the most memorable images of the film for me. Don't know why, it's just perfect

[@6thwilbury2331]

We could have heard about this great shot from anyone, but this Larry guy, he's a pistol, he's really funny. That story, it's funny. He's a funny guy. It's not the way he talks, he's just funny, the way he tells the story and everything. It's not that he's funny like a clown, that he amuses me and makes me laugh. He's not here to fucking amuse me. It's just how he tells the story. That's how he's funny.

[@katierowen3166]

Funny how? Like he amuses you?

[@darthXreven]

he's a real funny guy..... 😈 that and the "you don't exist out here without me" rant are 2 of pesci's best bits.....and pesci has done some good stuff don't get me wrong, it's a trip to think the same guy who plays one of the craziest toughest gangsters also played the kinda bumbling crook in home alone and he's a real funny guy.....lolz

[@joyasaxena9976]

This comment lmfao 😂😂I can’t stand you

[@timkelly5149]

Cool for recognizing a crew member that doesn’t get brought up a lot. Good job Cinefix

[@kh7688]

A magnificent scene. In a film that is busting at the seams, with magnificent scenes. But can we take a second to appreciate Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco? They were incredible in this film, but the plaudits always go to Pesci, De Niro and of course Scorsese. All richly deserving of praise no doubt, but without Liotta and Bracco at the heart of this film...it just wouldn't have worked as well.

[@jenniferbaldini3527]

K Ahmed: I totally agree. Karen: *whispers* "Wake up Henry..." *CLLLLLIIIICCCK* Henry: "Karen...what are you doing?" *pee's pants*

[@kh7688]

@@jenniferbaldini3527 loool. That's real love right there. You don't pull a gun on a man for cheating. Unless you really love him.

[@ninjamaster3453]

Ensemble cast for sure

[@stantonfuerton]

@@jenniferbaldini3527 "I gotta f***ng come home to this?"

[@jenniferbaldini3527]

@@stantonfuerton *Screams* "IM SO-RRRY" *Guteral cries*

[@Locadel2003]

Can you do “Art of the scene” for: -Tank chase in Indiana Jones the last crusade -Train fight or stopping the train in Spiderman 2 -Shootout in Heat -Foot chase in Baulieue 13 -Coin toss in No country for old men -First Russian roulette scene in The deer hunter

[@TH3M1K3D]

Yes all of these please!! ⬆️⬆️⬆️

[@wadehm63]

The Heat shootout for sure. That 1st then the coin toss scene.

[@iluvdissheet]

Wow, great list!

[@comradejosephstalinoftheus8698]

"He's wired in" scene from Social Network.

[@thejackal3245]

Somehow you forgot to mention Tech Noir?

[@lastminutesavior]

*Scorsese:* "So anyway, Larry, you and Ray, you guys get this scene done, I'll be back later."

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I like watching long, uninterrupted, continuous shot like this

[@jakebond2294]

You must have loved the intro scene to Spectre?

[@commaJim]

I just saw Goodfellas for the first time a few months ago. I was so enthralled. Such a wonderful movie.

[@kiowahorse2561]

I am always amazed how many different ideas, camera angles, improvisation, and effort have to come together to shoot a perfect scene.

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Joe Pesci famously improvised the "funny how?" scene, but what few of us know is that it was filmed by a kid from craft services while Marty was sick with the flu in Costa Rica ✔️

[@TheN0odles]

Watched this as a teenager, and it remains a firm favourite. Good choice.

[@diegom-a7970]

I'm gonna click the like button the like button

[@jenniferbaldini3527]

Diego M-A: Before or after you get the paper?

[@DocHalliday]

Well done 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏾

[@leenatic]

😆

[@greghanson869]

I took an American Cinema class in college, and this scene was an actual lesson for the day. It has been seared into my brain. One of the best in history!

[@milesdamascus9400]

This is fascinating. Goodfellas is one of my favorite films and I love learning more about the nitty-gritty of what made those films

[@MariaVosa]

Wonderful video really driving home the fact that movies are a collaborative effort and the truly talented always know how take help and suggestions from each other, not letting their ego get in the way. Scorsese with the original vision of the scene and its meaning, the camera man and actor helping to bring it to life. Result: Iconic.

[@AndrewBlucher]

A good director works with the crew. A great director lets the crew work.

[@agamemnonpadar5706]

Love when artists talk about their craft.

[@AndrewLaSane]

*Starts video, doesn't hear Clint, panics and checks to make sure I clicked the right video*

[@evannakamura637]

KZbin has to amend its policies on copyright. We're getting a film education here and we can't hear the Crystals' track to visualize the importance of the song to the scene.

[@TTH247]

You can listen to the song separately or just watch the scene/movie. The video is more about how it’s shot.

[@ernestolombardo5811]

Blame the lawyer anti-culture that has infected the entertainment industry like a cancer - growth for the sake of growth, in mindless danger of killing the host organism.

[@jonnyp]

i read an article about the same interview and couldn't figure out some of the stuff - thank you for matching the scenes from the shot with the narration - great video!

[@hkbabel]

GoodFellas may be my favorite movie, and learning about the genius of Larry McConkey and all the hard work he & Ray Liotta put into that 1 scene astonished, educated & humbled me. Thank you Cinefix for this video! During October, maybe tale a 1 day diversion into some classic scary music videos? No, not Thriller, more along lines of Nine Inch Nail's Closer, Johnny Cash's Hurt, Die Antwoord's I Fink U Freeky, Marilyn Manson's covers of Sweet Dreams & Tainted Love, pretty much anything Aphex Twin .... Oh and PS the Crystals ! xoxo Anyone not familiar with the song "He Hit Me (and it felt like a kiss) needs to check it out immediately, I cannot believe Scorsese hasn't used already :-)

[@DarkForcesStudio]

Love how all the tricks to let the camera catch up with the action totally added to the narrative. Very clever.

[@TheGamers-mc7zz]

Masterful sequences, magnificent video.

[@VictorPerez_]

Gotta love channels like this, that allow you to understand and appreciate films and what they’re made of more.

[@brianwarner308]

awesome video i like how you added in the bit about The Crystals

[@blakemcnamara9105]

And all this time we give Scorsese credit for the scene when he wasn't even there. This guy and Ray Liotta made this scene and made it great.

[@Tobacc0]

He selected all the people and made the decisions so, myeah.. he can't do everythingg but the CEO always takes credit up front.

[@mayowafele9691]

But it was his vision

[@DC69420]

So much goes into so small sequences, so much preps, collaboration and finally a pinch of luck combining to form a thing of beauty, which is a joy for ever.

[@JamesDarkos]

Art of the scene is such a good series please keep it up

[@jakefollensbee]

The art of the scene. The thing bloodtest. The opening getaway in drive.

[@dc43tokyo]

The Thing blood test!

[@spooksmagee]

Great video. Love behind the scenes stories from the deeper crew members like Larry.

[@ku-sangkain8159]

You can see earlier techniques of this in mean streets

[@okee9]

From memory is it the bar fight scene where they do a lap of the room while fighting

[@cremetangerine82]

And in “Raging Bull”, there is an unbroken shot from the backstage to the ring that is very similar.

[@ricardoelizondocr]

Please more from Art of the Scene, I learn a lot!!! 🙌 Thanks for such good content.

[@mlgshaddick9773]

I contacted Larry about a question for my research for my uni a year back, got back to me straight away and was extremely nice about it!

[@ChaosEmeraldStar]

the impression of Scorsese was pretty spot on

[@AbeTheRock]

I want another movie like Goodfellas 😭

[@maximumoccupancy]

The Departed.

[@doritochipgamer474]

Casino.

[@Duenschissdoktor]

@@doritochipgamer474 guys i think he means he another new one

[@doritochipgamer474]

Squidward 😂

[@sudevsen]

Casino & Wolf of Wall St. are similar

[@miguelruiz6427]

fantastic video!

[@deadlyfred02]

This is fantastic content, thank you

[@battdamon4517]

Love this break down. One of my all time favourite movies and this scene was exceptional.

[@jeanw2018]

Thank you, I’ve always loved this scene and knowing What went into it makes me love it all the more!

[@uarthchylde]

I love this story, and this glimpse of collaboration

[@pdzombie1906]

I've could also accepted the 'I'm funny' scene'. Great video, Thanx!!!

[@fredpalladino6189]

Waiting for more frequent videos.

[@123haninhk]

Clint isn’t the narrator?

[@ErickGarcia-qs2yh]

@Jack The Film Fanatic he didn't. I asked on the last Art of the Scene. And Clint answered saying he is still there. I think he narrates the lists now. And this guy narrates the Art of the Scene.

[@adamwishneusky]

😢

[@Hot18Shot]

I had a manager who was obsessed with this scene, and at the time it didn't stand out to me as much. But I've come to appreciate the appeal, so hearing the true thought process behind it was very cool.

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

True artistry. Incredible!

[@alepardo21]

imagine doing this 3 minute shot (plus the time it takes to reorganize everything to shoot again), eigth times only to be ruined by the guy who has to say one line Edit: orthography

[@sammygirl6910]

Cut Henny Youngman a break, he was pretty well up in age by then.

[@lindalangart]

Right at the end n all

[@ninjamaster3453]

Why didn't they replace him? He had 1 job and 1 line

[@wadehm63]

orthography 😉

[@alepardo21]

@@wadehm63 thanks. the irony was strong in the "edit"

[@GreenhornPhototaker]

Really enjoyed this! Iconic scene

[@jeenkzk5919]

Assuming you haven’t already, how about from one continuous take to another? The opening shot of Touch of Evil?

[@cccp319801spetsnaz]

Arguably the meeting the crew scene with mina mazzini's "Il cielo in una stanza" is even better I think. The zoom to de Niro's as he stands up just as the violins build is beautiful

[@insomniaic]

TRUE masterpiece 🔥🔥

[@ComedyIsCoolTelevision]

You gotta do more of these with the people who actually were in the crew that day

[@patpoanimations]

It's amazing how advanced special effects have gotten since then. I love this series and look forward to more stuff like this.

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

"You come to me" with an awesome deep dive on our unique and unforgettable Copa "walking" shot. Keep it up and stay safe!

[@batgurrl]

Thanks for doing this. One of the most legendary, loved and homaged scenes of all time. It’s fascinating to see it broken down❤️

[@Tobacc0]

Amazing how they turned all the problems into benefits for the scene. Unable to turn the corner? Have a quick repartee with the chef to boost familiarity.

[@alexi2460]

Terrific, yeh my favourite monster movie. My mom worked at the Copa as a photographer during the war

[@McLir]

Reminds me of another second unit sequence -- the truck chase in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Is the there a CineFix list for awesome second unit scenes?

[@Something-pp4lk]

Can u breakdown the bridge scene from les amants du pont-neuf.

[@MadszTRS]

thank you 😊

[@robertsnow5484]

Masterfully shot! Another one of my favorite one shots is the beginning of Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam where Vinny and Dionna drive up to and enter the nightclub.

[@dflf]

With all the changes in lighting through out that. scene, keeping things in focus must’ve been challenge.

[@therocketboost]

Okay, you need to run a hiss reduction or other high end filter on your VO. It's ridiculously sharp.

[@advgym]

Masterpiece.

[@nightwolf1659]

This is a great to know what a camera operator does

[@JohyeahM]

Ah man!!! Absolute genius!!! On a sidenote...can you look into exactly how they did that similar shot with Willis in Pulp Fiction?? I've always wondered how they shot with a Steadicam through that fence...

[@chupap1]

from Bob Gorelick, the Steadicam operator who shot that: the fence was pre-split, and pulled apart by FX crew on either side of the camera as he passed through it. Split second timing to not see the fence move until the lens passes it.

[@JohyeahM]

@@chupap1 That's exactly what I'd always assumed...nice to have it confirmed.

[@dynomar11]

Anybody else surprised by how much liberties Martin Scorsese gives his crew?

[@theprotagonist702]

Make a video on how Denis Villeneuve makes his movies. Please🥺

[@daveking3494]

At 11:50 that looks like Barney Kessel in the studio shot!

[@starl0rd624]

Can you do a video for the movie Hostage (2005) and the book?

[@WhirlOmar]

I'm proud to say I was part of this shot as an extra. And I was right behind this man during the whole movement sequence of the shot until I got into my seat with my date. Me and my "date" were the first in line with about thirty extras right behind us. There was another fake wall covering a doorway that was quickly moved away when the camera passed it to allow the same extras that were in the line at the front of the Copa to swarm into the club as different people already in the club. That way they utilize less extras. We were all instructed to immediately follow the camera once in entered the side entrance and be very quiet and make our way into our seats. In other words, those people sitting at their steats behind them as the table flew in, were the same people that we at the line in front of the Copa waint "to go in". One thing that doesn't sound accurate was that this famous scene was shot at night. They didn't finish it before lunch as he stated. By the way the extras ate their food sitting in a bus. But it was a fun cold day of filming.

[@chupap1]

Amazing that you were there! Can you point out in the clip where that fake door was? Also--"lunch" on a film set just means the mid-work day meal, six hours after call, so if it was a night shoot that could easily be 11 pm or 12 am.

[@WhirlOmar]

@@chupap1 After three years, I just saw your comment. As far as the lunch. I see. I understand. Now, that I recall the shoot was all day as well. Other shots were done earlier. As far as the fake wall; I don't remember exactly but probably the fake wall was moved right before Ray tapped the cook on the shoulder.

[@BadKarma714]

This is my favorite movie I have a copy of a revised Script witch some of the stuff is not in the movie I should let you see it

[@seriomarkj]

Such a cool video

[@iluvdissheet]

I knew it was the same door bc NYC restaurant kitchens arent that huge but he played it off well.

[@thenobleone-3384]

Union delegate that was funny when she asked him what kind of work he does.

[@issueswithtissues3082]

I finally get how a lot of cinematographers also become directors

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

"I'm a union delegate."

[@atharvadeshpande3090]

How about making a list of best mystery movies of all time... Would be awesome

[@AndreiTheVampire]

This isn’t cinema, it’s magic

[@stringstorm]

Yeah, the kitchen part made no sense to me either. Don't know what that was supposed to be. I suppose a contrast of colors and context?

[@johnscanlan9335]

Interestingly they didn't mention the assistant director Joseph Reidy. I knew his brother and he told me all about the development of the scene. I wonder why they didn't mention the A.D.?

[@LeandroFTW]

Gorgeous!

[@PatrolClip]

😅😅 Incredible how the camera moves in the set with all this people...only a Guru like him can do this...Thats whats make the difference between a good a mediocre director...Risks!!...Good video and great Topic...Inspiring.

[@malinallitekpatl1]

Consider doing a video on the scenes from Jackie Brown revolving the "exchange" of cash towards the end of the film.

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

This video really demonstrates that importance of collaboration in filmmaking and how a good director knows to trust their cast and crew. So cool to hear about Larry and Ray’s creation of the scene!

[@dardoura]

Goodfellas is Scorcesse's magnum opus. The Irishman was just a try to get back the nostalgic feel but no movie can top this classic. Goodfellas is a movie for our grandkids and generations to come.

[@kenxiong6830]

Great shot

[@guilherme5094]

Great!.

[@YasserAlhawary]

When it is all about acting and directing effort not graphics and marketing

[@johnk4437]

One of my favorite gangster flix. ❤

[@kurtzcol]

the kill scene in the tv series hannibal the episode mizumono /bloodfest is stunning it needs the art of the scene

[@pcninja02]

Hiiiiiiii i love your utube channnle

[@Stehako]

Thank you for this cinematic gift, Larry!

[@ninjamaster3453]

Greatest director of all time. He's had hit and culturally popular movies in the last five decades.

[@acdragonrider]

I prefer Alfred Hitchcock, Ang Lee, William Wyler, Terrence Malick, Vittorio de Sica, Mikhail Kalatozov, Peter jackson, George Lucas

[@cremetangerine82]

So... 1970s: “Taxi Driver” 1980s: “Raging Bull” 1990s: “Goodfellas” 2000s: “The Departed” 2010s: “The Wolf of Wall Street” Yep, checks out!

[@JuanTheBone]

WHAT THE HELL IS THSI Scorsese just left the room and let them do the whole thing, i've cited this scene as one of Scorcese best and his big input was "you gotta follow the table" lol

[@vigneshshanker5053]

How can they write the screenplay of this scene?.. Before preproduction or on the spot?

[@SuperSecretSquirell]

Shootout scene in Heat

[@benbishop1131]

I'd love to see McConkey in action. I find steadycam, particularly looking up and down and remaining smooth is difficult.

[@theoccasionalmoonlight4050]

That Henny Youngman story is hilarious