Understanding the Cinematography of Gregg Toland

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I go through some of Gregg Toland's cinematography techniques to help you understand his unique style. The goal of this video and article is to drum up enthusiasm and a yearning to learn more.
Think of it as a tribute, nothing more is intended.
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[@garrison6863]

The greatest cameraman who ever lived. What he did in Citizen Kane was a miracle.

[@LucBoeren]

I feel like a privileged pirate having stumbled upon this video and being able to rewatch it for free. Thank you, sir.

[@sclogse1]

Definitely planning to see The Long Voyage Home.

[@nathanchin2483]

Incredible essay. I'm floored.

[@johnparadise3134]

27:44 “Aristotle said ‘greatness is a force of habit.’ Once it’s in your DNA it’s who you are.”

[@truefilm1556]

Thank you so much for this video! Very insightful, comprehensive and inspiring. For some reason I love long (duration) wide angle shots, a moving (dolly, tracking, crane , etc.) camera that tells a "story within a story" through revealing details and motion parallax (providing a lot of depth) and deep focus (not always of course). It requires a lot of planning to avoid a cluttered look or drawing the attention to distracting objects. I deeply admire the old masters who had to work with hot lights and film stock slower than 50 ASA/ISO. Thanks again: your knowledge and willingness to share it has taught me so much -and continues to do so. Thanks for yet another video that is pure gold!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@ErnestoYukero]

Thanks for this illuminating video essay on Toland! It would be awesome if you could do one on John F. Seitz.

[@jerrylentz]

I LOVED this episode!!! Gregg Toland is a big hero of mine. You are my hero for making this! Well done!

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@shutterfruit]

Lord of Cinematography indeed! Shamefully underepresented on blu-ray! Great video!

[@fweshdude]

I can't believe I just watched the whole video. I only planned on checking out the first 5mins or so hahah. Great video! I had no idea he was the cinematographer on Citizen Kane. Now I have to go see his other movies.

[@VIDJACK]

Bravo to you for this master class on Greg Toland. Thanks for the time, effort, and thoughtfulness put into this video and your entire series.

[@wolfcrow]

You[re welcome!

[@NeilAngeloBriones]

Really nice analysis. Do try check out Sergei Urusevsky. He is one of the innovators of the semi-steadicam movement like Soy Cuba. His best works is known in The Cranes are Flying and Letters Never Sent with the use of complicated superimpositions and intersting camera work. . Really hard to find his films though

[@josephmendonca6213]

Agreed, can't recommend this guy enough and thankfully both of those films are on KZbin! The Cranes are Flying: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGHcgGmHbrOEr8k Letter Never Sent: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoaQkKWdd5hjndU

[@justgosee]

Love your insight and focus in this. It's extremely interesting and thought provoking. I will enjoy it several times. Thank you!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@breadjrichardson]

Thoroughly, enjoyed this video!! Well done!!!

[@airfox]

another great piece! keep rising..

[@thephilsharp]

Great video, bravo.

[@lightkeepsmecompany]

Incredible video ❤ gracias

[@joes2828]

Mindblown. Thanks.

[@pradeepchakraverti]

Lovely exposition.

[@jonathanabelmann8036]

i think freddie young is a must-have as well!

[@dpproductionstoys131]

Super Job!

[@ashwinmenon3342]

Great upload some more

[@kurono1999]

Great video Sareesh, keep up the good work.

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@douglasharris4295]

Great video as always. I would actually really like to see videos on more classical cinematographers. To me, they are the most interesting and elusive. Some of my favorites you might want to make a video on are Charles Lang, Merrit B. Gerstad, Boris Kaufman, Eugen Schufftan, and Karl Freund.

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Thanks for another excellent commentary.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@checkeredflagfilms]

The low asa/sensitivity was a by product, true enough however, in the early days film stocks had a large percentage of silver which in effect compensated for the lower asa ratings. Also, there were prints made on highly flammable 'silver nitrate'. I was privileged to see one of these print of Well's "Third Man" in a private screening at the home of the then head of the UCLA Film Restoration/Archive Department. It was ini indescribable experience something unforgettable seeing the shear brilliance and luminosity leap off the screen. Truly amazing.

[@checkeredflagfilms]

I should clarify the film was directed by the talented Carol Reed. Orson played the sinister/mysterious Harry Lime.

[@mikemcschlitz]

Mighty fine work Sareesh, mighty fine work.

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@Band2fucko]

Hi Sareesh, thanx for the great job and your analyses! I just wanna suggest you one of my favorite cinematographer Dick Pope.

[@wolfcrow]

Band2fucko You’re welcome!

[@SeerSnively]

Inspiring! Thank you.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@akshayadivarekar1704]

you are the best bro

[@alansmith9814]

excellent analysis

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@ArunvigneshADS]

The best of the best! Thank you Sareesh. Been here since day 1, feels like this is the ultimatum. Could you please do a video on 'Tom Elling'?

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@LexArias]

Wow this is amazing, inspiring... great video..

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@gurchtschalllly]

love your vids, keep up the good work, you should rly be more famous :)

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@andreacapacchione8371]

great video, are you going to make a video about carlo di palma?

[@thewritebrothersnowden]

Fantastic essay.

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@Veypurr1]

This is a very good video

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate your support!

[@RKIII]

I love Gregg Toland; however, I'm disappointed you haven't done a video for Boris Kaufman yet. You should definitely make a video for Boris Kaufman as well as Peter Deming, Steven Soderbergh, Mihai Malaimare Jr., and Thierry Arbogast.

[@RKIII]

Great video btw lol I forgot to say that

[@mayankimmortal]

Thanks bro

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@kathiravanganesh5618]

Thanks for Long duration video

[@wolfcrow]

Kathiravan Ganesh You’re welcome!

[@ArcticxBeaver]

Could you make a video on André Turpin?

[@akshaym5905]

can you make a video on Christian Berger???

[@Zombiesnyder13]

Do with : * Dan Mindel * John Schwartzman * Greig Fraser * Eduardo Serra * Peter Deming * John Toll

[@AnupamBhogal]

hi i am really inspired by your work but i i m confused as to where to begin filmmaking,

[@wolfcrow]

Start shooting.

[@a-g3003]

Put down the rockets and pick up a camera.

[@brightlight7272]

Love the video, but the shots you include of Les Miserables are not from the 1935 version that Toland filmed. That one starred Frederick March and Charles Laughton. The shots used in this video are from a later remake. Also...the other film he shot that year was titled Public Hero No. 1 rather than Public Enemy. Like I said though, love the video otherwise.

[@Znation437]

My dear fellow brethren

[@dalialjene9100]

this must have taken a shitload of time