The Lighthouse - How to Create an Atmosphere

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The Lighthouse uses cinematography, sound design, costume design, location, and set design to create a pervasive atmosphere. In this video essay I attempt to showcase some of the individual elements that work together to create it's powerful mood.
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[@nicholasbodo4327]

The fact that this masterpiece got nothing except cinematography nod at the oscars as Robert Eggers was not even mentioned for best director was proof that these award shows don’t honor genuine pieces of artistic expression.

[@67CelticFC]

Nicholas Bodo exactly. How in gods name did Ford vs Ferrari get nominated for Best Picture but The Lighthouse didn’t?

[@nicholasbodo4327]

Because they think atmosphere and sound design mean loud, bombastic and in your face.

[@bipinyendluri8704]

Willem Dafoe was also robbed

[@nicholasbodo4327]

Robert Pattinson too! They are the best duel performances this decade since Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Master.

[@hw29472]

The worst part is that the Lighthouse probably didn't get the nomination for what makes it great. They probably just saw it was black and white and decided that equates cinematography.

[@joestromo2592]

Kubrick never won a best director oscar. Eggers shouldn't lose sleep over the academy's failure to recognize the best filmmakers

[@hellooutsiders6865]

It's a shame, the only Oscar he won was for work he didn't do and shouldn't have qualified for in the first place...

[@josephallen3072]

I never knew that.. He certainly had somewhat of a mainstream culture around him during his career though.

[@Jared_Wignall]

HelloOutsiders he got nominated for special effects since the effects team could only nominate one person at the time rather than multiple people, like they do now. Since Kubrick oversaw the special effect process, they thought he should be nominated and as a result, he won.

[@masterwindu1234]

Neither has Nolan or Tarantino!

[@clkgtr12]

@@masterwindu1234 Tarantino i agree, nolan not really

[@CultureDTCTV]

Every single scene after "why'd ye spill yer beans" is both trippy and disturbing

[@litteralyjustsam5262]

The final shot was beautiful yet horrifying

[@DualWieldFTW]

My girlfriend hates it when I growl out that line. The Lighthouse is, if nothing else, a film that leaves an impact.

[@GoodshagProductions]

“YER FOND OF ME LOBSTER, AINT YE?”

[@durden2480]

Haaaarrrrkkkk!!!!!

[@jackd.ripper1489]

Bad luck to kill a seabird

[@CultureDTCTV]

LET NEPTUNE STRIKE YE DEAD, WINSLOW!

[@barnacleboi2595]

You smell like jism

[@roberthipolito1351]

"I've seen it. Yer fond of me lobster"

[@Andy97K]

This movie embodied pure, arthouse cinema. A form of this medium that is all about the experience.

[@GiggleBlizzard]

The movie to me is a love-letter to the artform itself, a beautifully crafted one.

[@FuzzyDancingBear]

This movie is driving me mad. So perfect.

[@jaredgunkle1562]

when was this video posted? five weeks ago? two days? help me to recollect

[@tonymathew22]

It was uploaded day after tomorrow

[@boymiyagi]

An hour ago human.

[@tychoazrephet3794]

The Lighthouse had the most oppressive, stifling, paranoid atmosphere in a film I've seen since The Thing, and I would definitely rank them equally as some of the best psychological horror films ever made.

[@Toby_Utobya]

Im still hearing the fog horn after watching this video..

[@MSantosMusic]

Toby B bro... it’s driving me crazy.

[@Existomalus]

HAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRKKKKKK!!!

[@wurmrave6831]

The foghorn sound will forever be imprinted in my head. This movie was absolutely incredible and I cant believe they snubbed this movie and uncut gems hard. Do they hate A24 or something?

[@EzeICE]

I think you are right. They even dissed Uncut Gems as well.

[@joaopedrolins7723]

And don’t forget the Farewell (also from A24)

[@EzeICE]

@@joaopedrolins7723 Yup exactly!!

[@EzeICE]

@mera Agreed!

[@THE.N1KO]

@mera I'm pretty sure they give them a chance because one was directed by a black guy and the other one by a woman. If The Lighthouse had Denzel Washington and Lakeith Standfield as actors they would have been nominated. Uncut Gems starred by a black man? Let's nominate him! Oscars are just shit. I'm not taking care about it anymore.

[@roberthipolito1351]

Saw it twice with friends, none of them had a grasp at what it was about and due it didn't like it. Meanwhile I was there mesmerized by every second of the film, and my 2nd time around I loved it even more.

[@ThomasFlight]

Same. The shot I end this essay with. Where Winslow in dancing so hard he starts spouting gibberish... I've felt that feeling. Not to that extent, but I know what it is. This film allows you to see - feel what a complete descent into that world is like. It's chaos. You won't walk away "getting" it, and some people just don't get that.

[@matthewthomas2546]

Same, but unfortunately I was one of those who didn't like it

[@wizewizard1840]

your friends are shit, mate

[@ManubibiWalsh]

I feel like the first shot of Willem and Robert standing and looking towards the camera says everything you need to know about this movie. It’s awkward and unsettling and somehow it has a confusing quality that stretches out throughout the entire movie. God what a masterpiece.

[@greensteam8378]

The idea of writing stories to an atmosphere is such a great perspective, really helped me to understand film in a new way! You forget sometimes that cinema is a visual medium-people can become so obsessed with making the most compelling story possible that their screenplays look better as novels than real films. So interesting !

[@manasbansal7946]

Its fine. Oscar doesnt deserve THE LIGHTHOUSE

[@ianbeach23]

Manas Bansal who’s Oscar?

[@thepretentiousplayer4017]

@@ianbeach23 Oscar the shark Slayer

[@CBRN-115]

@@ianbeach23 the one-eyed corpse in the lobster bin

[@astrothunder3580]

I love the dark and bizarre imagery. The sense of dread given by the black and white is incredible. Such a creative film.

[@legomoviesstudios8822]

Robert Eggers looks at cinematography nom: you're fond of me filming anit ye? I've seen it! You're fond of me filming!!! Eggers: Say it! Say it! Academy: and the oscar goes to Roger deakins for 1917 Eggers: DAMM YE!! LET NEPTUNE STRIKE YE DOWN OSCARS!! HHHAAARRKKKKK!!!

[@iwantmyoperahouse]

Around minute 5:45 - that’s a valid point. Although for me it was actually the coming and going of the foghorn sound that did the trick. Found myself thinking from “I haven’t heard the foghorn in a while” to “oh here it is again”, “how long has it been”. Mission accomplished Mr Eggers & Team!

[@hurrrmmhmmmhmghh8912]

I love what you did with the foghorn supercut

[@seaque.]

that was amazing

[@RyanKhanna]

The best compliment I can give this movie is that it's near perfect, and I haven't seen a film this masterful and precise in several years

[@isaackmojica8302]

Check 1917 is a Masterpiece as well !!!Maybe not as Necessary and Impressive as this but is like the Very idea of lighthouse For PURE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE!!!Check it out!

[@RyanKhanna]

@@isaackmojica8302 Already seen it. I thought it was good, but I felt the one shot got in the way of the film being more engaging at times and the characters weren't memorable enough for me to be invested in their journey

[@willthompson7078]

“If you go to this movie with four friends....” Imma stop you right there

[@nanthps]

I was just listening to the lumberjack song that they dance to... then this video was uploaded -- thank you for shining more light on this gem of a film, Thomas

[@nanthps]

t'is the song, ya'll kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJOkmYhvZpiGic0

[@palsp666]

I have just finished watching Lighthouse, I am genuinely very mad that it was snubbed by so many awards. William Dafoe is one of the best actors ever existed and Robert Pattison is the definition of perfection.

[@ThomasFlight]

Defoe is on another level in this.

[@rickardkaufman3988]

@@ThomasFlight Only Nominated for Best Cinematography. We all know that Roger Deakins will win for 1917.

[@pacorka9943]

@@rickardkaufman3988 I loved 1917 but besides a few shots, it doesn't really deserve a cinematography award.

[@pacorka9943]

@@rickardkaufman3988 I get that it was a challenge to make it all one shot and if you base it on the technical factors, yeah, it should win, but visually it really isn't too impressive. One shot films are movies with good editing. And the editing really wasn't that great anyways.

[@rickardkaufman3988]

@@pacorka9943 We'll see at the Oscars.

[@foxyp00]

This just shows how much thought and brilliance went into making this movie

[@tonywords6713]

Surprised you didn’t mention the soundtrack it had a lot of thoughtful stuff that added to the feel. Also the sound design has a specific “heartbeat” that it evokes throughout (the beginning with the waves/boat)

[@kinhamid9665]

Ever see a film that just seems like it was always destined to be made? Like, every minute aspect down to the finest detail is just so perfectly placed and so needed, with a sum greater than all of the parts, countless plausible interpretations, and a lasting impression for years to come (I'll never get that final image out of my eyes, jesus), making it hard to believe there was a human behind it all that had to come up with it beforehand? Yeah, this is one of those movies.

[@XDarkBrotherhoodHD]

Even tho ive seen this movie 32 times now and finally figured out the truth to the story, it still blows me away everytime

[@alexanderperez7669]

Yeah like even the year this movie was released feels like the right time you know like I always get the feeling good movies like this where always destined to be made idk it’s weird.

[@zachary9385]

Normally I don't enjoy watching black and white movies, but The Lighthouse and Roma are probably my favorite movies of the decade.

[@lawrence-yx1ew]

Don't let it put you off. Some of the greatest movies ever made were filmed before the advent of color.

[@roel.vinckens]

@@lawrence-yx1ew liked your comment, but some of the best b&w movies where artistic choices... Stalker Rumblefish ...

[@ThomasFlight]

Ida (2013) is another great contemporary black and white film.

[@YeshuaReal]

Thomas Flight Also Cold War as well done by the same director.

[@dajambo1]

Curious if your sentiment about b&w movies includes: Ivan's Childhood, Persona, or Seconds? After I had discovered those movies I forgot I ever thought of b&w movies as different from contemporary color movies. Guess I'll throw Eraserhead and Dr. Strangelove in that mix as well.

[@bencarlson4300]

This movie, with its precision and era-specific dialogue, should feel very pretentious. It doesn’t, and is in fact kind of lighthearted? This movie is original, disturbing, funny, beautiful, disgusting, and most importantly: excellent.

[@Videoinfinitum]

What's a pretentious film?

[@elfsieben1450]

One that leads you on to think it would deal with something new of weight in a fresh and specific way, but then increasingly gets bogged down in the same old, same old stylistic routines, or does get convoluted in the plot with nothing worthwhile telling to finally lead up to.

[@GiggleBlizzard]

That's what gets me about it, it manages to feel both light-hearted and gruesome at the same time.

[@AryaBeltaine]

after watching this movie i left the cinema and immediately had a panic attack. it was just so viscerally horrifying and really captured what the subconscious can feel like in the midst of depression, or grief, or anything of that sort. a masterpiece but i would most definitely never watch it again

[@ghoul5371]

Went to this historic lighthouse in my state and before going I watched a short 11 minute film about its history in mostly black and white footage which started creeping me out because of this movie lol. I love when art has a long lasting effect on me even if it means whenever I shower in the dark I can hear “why’d you spill ur beans Tommm” before I open the curtain to an empty bathroom

[@guillermogonzalo2031]

“A book read by a thousand different people is a thousand different books.” Andrei Tarkovsky

[@scarface_deb]

I watched it twice, first alone at home, then with friends in the cinema. Surprisingly it was even more engaging and gripping on the second viewing.

[@Raymando]

I've heard so much great stuff about this movie. And it's really shot up near the top of my watchlist after this video.

[@juangiorno7480]

Excellent video yet again! Keep up the quality work, mate!

[@BLX0]

It has been said but it needs to be said again and again so that the consensus overwhelms Robert Eggers and he goes mad and understands that he NEEDS to make 'At the Mountains of Madness' or any adaptation of Lovecraft in an attempt to save his soul.

[@damikoitaly2990]

You know, everything about this film grabbed me in an instant. A great film is a great film, I grew up watching some tv shows and cartoons in black&white, the aesthetics of the frame and cinematography alone told me the story. The Lighthouse is one the greatest films to witness. Good job on this video

[@ThomasFlight]

One of those movies where, by the time it got to the shot of the two of them standing looking at the camera, I knew I was going to love the movie, not matter what ended up happening.

[@Sheep-ui4ri]

Thomas talking about a movie with two thomas.

[@bannanaslamaa318]

Really up set that this masterpiece wasn't nominated for more things, especially Willem DaFoe and Robert Pattinson not being nominated for best actor. They both brought absolute powerhouse performances to this film.

[@Maros_Mari]

Thank you. This gave me few ideas and kicked some creative notes how to work on my future film projects and how to rework one of my completed short films. The emphasis on atmosphere in the movie is what drew me to this film, so thank you for your analysis. I really enjoyed the part where you mention and I agree with you that it is important to create a kind of world where audience feels and believes that such place exited long before and will exist long after the film was shot.

[@supersakurafan1]

I literally just finished watching the film. Great timing man!

[@palsp666]

I was laughing throughout the whole movie especially some of the scenes were extremely funny but when it ends, it scared the hell out of me.

[@ThomasFlight]

It's a great combination of humor and horror!

[@hauser13597]

thanks for such a deep and beautiful analysis, it's an excellent movie

[@AndresRuiz-gs8vm]

Very well done 👍

[@westwardwhales3695]

Damn even this video is super well put together

[@JovemEverton]

The shot in which Dafoe's character is shooting beams of light off his eyes and overpowering Pattinson is my favorite.

[@Karollenart]

Great analysis. Great movie.

[@TT-wx4tg]

Strange and abrupt ending to this vid, I was waiting for more or a part two, but otherwise, top-notch per usual, thank you.

[@Snulrich]

This immediately became one of my all favourite films. Is anyone actually able to recommend anything similar to this that they’ve enjoyed watching?

[@XDarkBrotherhoodHD]

Glad you can enjoy it as much as me, and the closest ive find personally is The Shining

[@boymiyagi]

Pretty girl by clairo

[@Snulrich]

@@boymiyagi polaroid of u dancing in my room

[@bigsexygoat8]

this is my favorite movie of the year and one of my all-time favorite movies

[@sebastianuria844]

Excellent!

[@strooom546]

Ty man, bravo, bravo

[@minderleister9255]

i love your foghorn-madness edit!

[@HansMcc1984]

Amazing.

[@MyRobin38]

this has to be my best movie ever, the atmosphere in this movie definitely haunts and sucks you in

[@crystalballstudiostm2355]

I just saw this today, never got to see it in theatres. Really wish I had now. This movie is great at tension, atmosphere. I never knew where it was going, I was actually confused, like I tried to wrap my brain around what was happening. Rarely do I experience those things in movies, but this movie did it. This is, by far, my favourite movie of 2019.

[@AmberBootheCat]

Great video. The foghorn definitely will stay with me. Really haunting film. And strangely humorous. Sad that the Oscars didn't give more nods. This film is a rare gem.

[@lukapivk5806]

I wish you uploaded 10 times every day.

[@rahultej2248]

I think Big Little Lies does an amazing job in creating a memorable atmosphere. The mood and tone are always playing in my head. I get a feeling of tranquility when I feel the atmosphere of it.

[@jukaa1012]

Liked before I watched. Hell yeah

[@jalenmoses8629]

chúc kênh thầy càng phát triển hơn nha

[@jotarokujo3038]

I really loved opening

[@Dale_Blackburn]

This film wouldn't even exist without David Lynch. The sounds are all Alan Splet. Great movie.

[@skateordie002]

Truly! From moment one, Splet's influence on Volpe is so fucking clear. Especially when Ephraim gets to the light.

[@aidani4633]

One of my top 4 favorite films!

[@jaybiskwee1138]

one of the only films of recent years that i really enjoyed

[@SeanConway99]

Willem Dafoe is absolutely outstanding in this. I love how he got involved simply by saying in an interview that he'd like to work with Eggers. Eggers saw it then reached out.

[@brandonedwards3175]

Im saving this for after I watch the movie 😊

[@BobMori]

More FOGHORN. Thanks again, Thomas. Most excellent. #TheLighthouseMovie 🎬

[@colinjensen8303]

Probably only did it because both the characters are named Thomas smh

[@guilherneduarte9402]

Spoiler

[@mikibla1]

"both"

[@EzeICE]

But one isn't the real Thom.

[@flijk6083]

Why’d ya spill yer beans?

[@DeadBisco83]

Eggers still has a long career ahead of him. He'll win an Oscar eventually, and when that day comes, he'll simultaneously be considered one of the all time greatest, and things will all fall into place. he's just too talented to go completely unnoticed

[@adrianavega3202]

Dude the freaking foghorn is what makes me afraid of watching it again.

[@VulKus117]

I want to watch this film another fifty times, and so I will.

[@gatheringleaves]

Iceland or the Faeroes would have been a perfect setting for a movie like this. It's the very embodiment of the light and textures of The Lighthouse.

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

This movie requires multiple viewings to get the most out of it. When I first saw it in the theater I left a bit disappointed because the trailers gave me such high hopes, but I keep going back to it because of its ambiguity and mystery. It is a beautifully shot movie and Defoe does an amazing job, but I still feel like it didn't live up to its full potential. There is such a thing as too much ambiguity--like the light at the end. I've heard many interpretations and come up with my own, but none of them seem satisfying.

[@ghoul5371]

I feel like you’re a math typa guy

[@MonkeyspankO]

This is one of those rare films that pulled me in. For the duration of the feature, I was there, in the lighthouse on the island. Same with the VVitch and that amazing visceral score. I had preordered the Joker soundtrack and guess what, they canceled my preorder and now its not available where I am. Lovely. But guess what? Not only was the Lighthouse ST available, it was inexpensive (talking vinyl here). Good for me, but it felt wrong. I wonder why it didn't connect with the larger audience?

[@johnbooker2]

"Why'd y'spill yer beans,Tommy Flight?...why'd y'spill yer beans...

[@MariaVosa]

If there is anyone that can challenge Deakins for this year's Best Cinematography it's Blaschke - though Eggers would deserve part of that award. Really wich more Oscar voters were as knowledgeable as you.

[@animateangus]

Reminded me of Val Lewton’s films.

[@CR7966]

I’m disappointed the sound design portion didn’t mention the farts.

[@daniels.rogers480]

Does anyone think that the story and character development are still good even though this films focus is on atmosphere?

[@XDarkBrotherhoodHD]

Nah this is the greatest film ive seen in a while

[@ryanlts_9684]

Thomas talks about Thomas and Thomas

[@lorddorogoth]

I saw this with my dad. He hated it, but I really liked how it looked.

[@OGbornsinnerz]

This movie is actually a movie

[@MonkeyspankO]

Was just gonna comment that I love this film and it should have won Best Picture...and then I looked at the comments...and ahhhh....

[@David_Diaz713]

Sorry, Mike Flanagan, this was the real successor to Kubrick’s The Shining.

[@MrBeastknows]

No it wasn't

[@butt317]

If they ever make a sequel - one made purely as a follow up to Kubrick's film and not as an adaptation of doctor sleep, I mean - Eggers NEEDS to direct

[@MrBeastknows]

@@butt317 that's stupid. That'll never happen. Eggers isn't Kubrick.

[@roberthipolito1351]

Exactly what I thought, its a real successor in building such an atmosphere and world as its main focus. Doctor Sleep's script was written by King himself so of course its only focus is story not a purely atmospheric experience. And as this video mentions, that what The Lighthouse and also The Shining have, consistent atmosphere where the story can be interpreted a number of ways. Doctor Sleep fails at that.

[@clanofclams2720]

@@MrBeastknows spoken like someone who hasn't seen the Lighthouse

[@Mattsnotyours]

Great video Thomas but I have one question ... As this hasn't had a home release yet, where are you getting your footage from? Do the studios offer you a version of the film on download much like a critic would receive?

[@ThomasFlight]

The Blu-Ray isn't out yet but the Digital Download is available on iTunes and Amazon.

[@landonharris4726]

I actually was able to purchase a bluray hard copy this past Saturday, so I think they've atleast had a limited home release

[@e.rpritch4966]

Snazzy film , looks so like it’s era.

[@lobsterthemobster2032]

Thomas Wake Thomas Howard Thomas Flight There is too much Thomas in this video

[@Steger13]

Wonder what tarantino thought of this mivie?

[@chickencharlie1992]

I was certain Willem Dafoe or Robbat Battinbat would get Oscar nominations. I thought so many more behind this modern classic of pure cinema would get nominated for their standout achievements. Nobody else is making films like this anymore. All of Eggers films feel like Bergman got a Hollywood budget.

[@kevinabimiku6445]

I posted the lighthouse building process in my account!!

[@jakelovescinema]

please don't laugh too hard at me but I was rewatching this for like the 8th time yesterday and it kinda made me think "this is shot as though Wes Anderson was having a bad LSD trip"

[@jakelovescinema]

adore this movie btw im not hating

[@hectordoblado4987]

*fog horn intensifies*

[@23rt2308u24tkhg]

The best vpn sponsorship

[@BlankRami]

The environment is another character

[@vsrr83]

I think it would have been more authentic to use an orthochromatic instead of the Steve Jobs filter in the NordVPN commercial.

[@Hanklerfishies]

This movie fucking haunts me. Yet I love it.

[@speeksasfada]

ayan lang ba na isa

[@greenhat7618]

My mate decided to put this on while we were on acid. Worst decision ever.

[@ghoul5371]

Bro fuck no ☠️

[@MarkLewis...]

I'll say it again, here... the movie is mundane if not obtuse in plot. The speech is used to hide its simplicity in story arc, and why Mr. Defoe keeps reiterating the dialog is "elevated speech" in every publicity jaunt, in order to reinforce the desired perspective, rather than the reality. The speech is not "elevated" but it's rather common, and indicative to the people speaking in the time they spoke it. Vernacular and metaphor does not equate to "elevated". The "atmosphere" is completely illusory. The writer knew by filming technique and verbal prestidigitation it would make average people feel smarter about themselves. The movie appeals to one's (inflated) ego, not intellect.

[@oof-rr5nf]

* fleabag voice * this is a love story

[@peasant8246]

I didnt understand a thing of what he said, but I agree with every word.

[@lilkikwestside_12]

This movie is fucking beautiful... best 2019 movie. Sorry Bong Joon Ho