The Making of Citizen Kane

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Originally made as an educational tool for an Intro to Film course, this video essay takes a broad overview of Citizen Kane's production history, noting how crucial Welles' collaborators and the Hollywood studio system were to the film's artistry.

[@MyUsernameIsAlsoBort]

Great use of RKO 281. Really underrated HBO movie, it's a shame it's so difficult to find.

[@EyebrowCinema]

A DVD copy comes with the the 75th anniversary Blu-Ray set, if you're looking.

[@MyUsernameIsAlsoBort]

@@EyebrowCinema That's where I watched it actually, after years of trying to find it. It's too bad that seems to be the only place.

[@AMatterofFilm]

I don't know if I've ever said this, but I LOVE the name of your channel. This was a solid video, man. Definitely deserves more views. Looking forward to the next one!

[@EyebrowCinema]

I started the channel a year before I actually started making videos just because I liked the name and wanted the pun before someone else took it. A Matter of Film is pretty dope. Very dignified. Thanks for the kind words. New video should be coming soon!

[@M4TCH3SM4L0N3]

Watching this several years after posting, glad you have been working on this and I am making my way through your Eyebrow Cinema playlist now. As of now your latest video is from 2 months ago, and I hope you will be making more.

[@DwRockett]

Now with Mank’s release I’m especially glad you made this. Hope more people come across this one while trying to learn about Citizen Kane’s production

[@EyebrowCinema]

It's definitely seen a boost in the last week or so.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

All Kane wanted was childhood.

[@mikemike-lu1so]

This is a great video man!

[@EyebrowCinema]

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate the feedback.

[@MrConBar]

Just watched the movie for the first time and this added a lot. Thank you for the video. Well done

[@robderiche]

Was Hollywood's embrace of auteur theory a means of replacing the broader 1960s' impulse to collective action with a more egocentric model of lone genius celebrity that teed up "the me decade" of the 1970s? Just a rando thought given the proper emphasis on collaboration in this excellent video.

[@dcdad556]

Welles' bread and butter was radio acting and producing and starring in live theatre. "Citizen Kane" was his first movie. A Gregg Toland misquote was: "I can teach you everything you need to know about movies in three hours." Welles wanted to use the same technical terms the DP and the lighting department would use to get exactly the shot and lighting he wanted. The real quote was: "I (Toland) can teach you what you need to know to make the movie in three hours." Over drinks, Toland taught the willing student Welles what he needed to convey in about three hours.

[@spactick]

in truth Welles had been making films (story telling) since he was a small child. film making was just a physical expression of that inner need that he had to tell 'that' story. Also, if you read your comment about Toland, there's really not much of a difference between the two comments you stated. just a thought

[@villll]

great vid!

[@DwRockett]

1:32 wow, that’s a connection

[@EyebrowCinema]

I made this video for an intro to film class and the prof insisted I include this detail.

[@suesabalburo6235]

I really enjoyed this!! You did a fantastic job young man!

[@EyebrowCinema]

Much appreciated, friend!

[@3Prayt]

Great video

[@dcdad556]

Moviemaking is collaborative. No matter the renown of the DP (director of photography) or how auteurish the director, we are all small and great cogs in a machine that moves in the same direction.

[@Sammyhammy1011]

that was a very insightful , good job :)

[@EyebrowCinema]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

I liked this video. It gives credit to people who worked on Citizen Kane besides Orson Welles. My problem with Orson Welles is that too much of what makes Orson Welles Orson Welles is dependent on Citizen Kane.

[@DylanCarverFilm]

Wonderful video

[@Setare.hezarshab]

❤❤❤

[@adikravets3632]

1:32 interesting

[@aye1367]

You better watch Mank :P

[@adikravets3632]

0:16 she is wrong. Also watch the video by the, Royal film society. He talks into her lies

[@theabsorbingman2492]

I agree with you and we both know why. She wanted to diminish the credit that Orson Welles had on the project. Welles was an outsider that made the little clique mad.

[@caylyn111]

Duh