Understanding the Cinematography of Robert Elswit

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I go through some of Robert Elswit's cinematography techniques to help you understand his unique style.
Just to be clear: Robert Elswit changes his style to suit the movies he shoots. 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.
Don't forget to subscribe to this channel!
What's in my camera bag: wolfcrow.com/r...

[@therevengeofjeroenhouben]

Found Elswit's quote that is mentioned at the end of the video: “When we shot [the sequence], I felt we didn’t control the windows [behind the characters] that well,” Elswit says. “I asked Paul to let me do a DI on that 6 minutes, do some control on those windows, make them more like magic hour, and tune them up a bit. It was probably the sloppiest thing I did on the movie, so I thought it might help. We made the best version we could, given all the tools you have in the DI world - putting [Power Windows] in place and changing values and contrast. I didn’t screw with the foreground, just the background. But we looked at it side by side with a print off the original negative - a cut negative. The difference we both saw was in [Day-Lewis’] close-ups. Whatever the translation between 2K digital files to film space - it had a different feel and look, and we noticed it most in close-ups. We took that [DI version of the sequence] out and went back to the original neg and made a print from there.”

[@shuolangliu304]

nice job keep the cinematography series coming forever support :)

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@bruhmoment8108]

hey wolf crow please do vilmos zsigmond, please?

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Always look forward to your analysis of cinematographers. You continually offer insightful and inspirational commentary. You covered Roger Deakins, who is my current favorite cinematographer, for his excellent work on Blade Runner 2049.

[@SimmsWright]

Honestly, great job with this video. For a 7 minute video I think you packed it full of great information, while at the same time, it never felt like you were rushing through it. I wish you mentioned what he felt his short comings were in the TWBB scene specifically, but overall what a wonderful video.

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@dirkdiggler3014]

Loved your dissection of Elswit's work (he's one of my favourite cinematographers). A video on Matthew Libatique would be much appreciated. Keep up the good work!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@raid4000]

I didn't understand 95% of the technical talk but it was cool and informative nonetheless, cool video! On a side note, anyone know how he messed up the scene in There Will Be Blood?

[@brenthearn2349]

me too haha

[@m.canutdebon8170]

Ha. The technical talk is what brought me here. I was curious a about the lenses used by him.

[@arieldebarros]

Congratulations on your hard work for these videos, man. Greetings from Brasil, and thank you very much. It's been a lot of fun and help.!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@dennisbarac1052]

Hearing he likes to work with the production designer so he doesn't need so much of work in post production is totally my thinking and what I would call for me favourite style of cinematography...I often like to take out my camera and shoot and I can immediately see if the scene will look good or bad depending on the location I am shooting and the colours that fit.

[@ARBB1]

Thanks for the breakdown, I'm in love with the looks of his films and was scratching my head on how to (attempt!) to replicate it.

[@macgnarley]

Great series of videos indeed. Appreciate the work you put into these

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@adityakhatwa8555]

u helping many youth to watch cinema through a different lens ....Cheers!!!!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@ruiz460]

Wonderful review and just subscribed! Elswit is one of the greats. Two of my favorite DPs are Danny Cohen and Dion Beebe. I'd love to see a review of either. Thank you again!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@Udhbhavana]

Hi After seeing this videos I've become a fan of Robert Elswit. Basically my style is 90% equivalent to Robert Elswit. So, now I've become his fan, I will be and am much interested to watch more of his movies, so that I would be able to learn more about the incredible craft of art forms, "Cinematography". I better call it as "Camera Choreography". Thanks for sharing such a video and the analysis that has been made by you. Thanks to Wolfcrow and look forward to lot of videos like this in the future.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@marshallzane7735]

When you say "Thomas" you are supposed to ignore the "h" and say "Tomas

[@Cloroqx]

Your videos are a treasure trove of information. Cheers for taking the time to make them. Any chance you could do a breakdown of Christopher Doyle's work?

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, sure!

[@pawankhade5010]

The audio visual match at 4.00 and the way video ends :D you nailed it... Looking forward to the breakdowns of some Indian Cinematographers :D

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

As always, thank you very much! I learn a lot from your videos so please do not stop haha

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@joshboy64]

I know it might be unusual, but maybe since he's a jack of all trades, you could try analyzing Shane Carruth? Or because I admire the filmmaker he works with so much (Rian Johnson), also Steve Yedlin? I literally just discovered this series, and I am blown away! I'm learning so much. Keep it up, friendo! :)

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, I'll add them to the list.

[@FOTOGRAFMATSO]

Such a joy finding your channel. Thanks! :)

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@scottmumford8295]

That was really interesting! I only associated him with Paul Thomas Anderson films. Didn't realize he'd done so much other work. Keep 'em coming! (By the way, "Thomas" in "Paul Thomas Anderson" is pronounced with a 'hard' T. You were pronouncing it with a "Th" as in "thermometer" or "thunder". Think a hard "t", like "Tomato".)

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

It’s a shame he had a falling out with PTA and won’t be doing anymore of his films, the cinematography in those collaborations was really instrumental to the look and feel of the films, particularly Boogie Nights and Magnolia which shot on 35mm film and anamorphic lenses had a classic look with the zooms and whip-pans as well! Yes, it’s interesting he’s done a heap of other films, the same year he did Boogie Nights he also did Tomorrow Never Dies the 18th James Bond movie which is a big thing to have on any resume given that franchise has had some excellent cinematographers who photographed the films including Sir Roger Deakins who photographed Skyfall which was a visual treat to see in the cinemas!

[@jacobhebdon1413]

Adam Arkapaw is one of my favorite emerging cinematographers. Perhaps he could be added to the list?

[@wolfcrow]

Already on the list!

[@MonsieurPTA]

awesome! Make one about Phedon Pappamichael please!

[@Udhbhavana]

Nice. As you told the lenses that have been used by Robert Elswit, please do tell the lenses used by others as well. It will be of great help for budding cinematographers. Keep it up.

[@TapijtReiniger]

Could you do one about Luca Bigazzi, cinematographer of La Grande Bellezza (The Great beauty) and Youth?

[@wolfcrow]

I'll add him to the list.

[@Morpheus396]

Great video!! (Very disconcerting, your pronunciation of "Thomas" though haha ) -Awesome analysis.

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@The4thGuy]

Thank you! Been dying to see this one!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@eanur0]

Can we get a Christoper Doyle' one? That would be amazing! Especially his work with Wong Kar-wai! BTW, Awesome, interesting, and nicely made work! Thank you so much for your dedication!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@tomarencibia]

Peter Suschitzky on Cronenberg's movies please? Especially "Cosmopolis" (2012). Thank you very much for doing these wonderful videos.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@whitelighterinc7381]

Do Benoit Debie, he's done Spring Breakers, Enter the Void, and Lost River!

[@БекаБеркович-з8к]

Can you, please, explain what exactly wrong with the scene in "There will be blood" between Deniel and his son in the end? I can't see anything

[@wolfcrow]

He didn't fill in (or balance the windows) the shadows the way he intended to.

[@Jpgannon]

I was curious about the same thing...is there some sort of article where he mentions this? I would love to give it a read.

[@BrianMcInnis87]

That's a hard T on 'Thomas', my man. Extraordinary video.

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@comechab5407]

excellent job !!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@deedive]

great work! please do Darius Khonji!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, sure!

[@raduportraits]

Great work once again!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@mrpeech1]

Excellent thank you!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@stevenewhen]

Great video as always! I have a request for Newton Thomas Sigel please.

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, he's on the list!

[@notoriousjm95]

You should do Matthew Libatique, the most underrated DP right now.

[@dyboc1]

Do you mind explaining how he supposedly screwed up the shot in There Will Be Blood? Haven't seen it in a while so I don't remember anything particular sticking out in that scene and the short example in your video also seems okay to me.

[@wolfcrow]

It's in another comment.

[@kathiravanganesh5618]

I like this cinematographer I watched he and pt Anderson collebration all films

[@humbertoteski]

very good

[@f1l4nn1m]

Thank you for sharing! Could you analyze the work of Luca Bigazzi (The Great Beauty, The Young Pope, Youth, This must be the place)? Thanks!

[@mayankimmortal]

Great video, keep em coming

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@hernandezurbina]

Thanks for the video! Do you have plans to do one about Rodrigo Prieto? Cheers!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome, yes!

[@michalmajewski3107]

Great work with those videos ! It would be awesome if You could do analysis of Bruno Delbonnel. Cheers man :)

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, sure!

[@waffuruino]

Hi, I love your videos and would like to watch one on Sean Bobbitt.

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, sure!

[@carrottop3855]

Would you do a video on Jack Cardiff

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@tomzorz88]

Nice work. Would love one on Benoit Debie!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@DerOgraf]

great video, again, thx sareesh sudhakaran

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@footycheck]

I love this. thanks

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@EVIDENTS]

great stuff!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@wonderwiseM]

Please do Christopher Doyle

[@jjmaster322]

He already has

[@bravonolan]

thanks and pls do Gianni Di Venanzo.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome! I'll add him to the list.

[@MarkBiemTV]

wonderfull

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@cdevarona]

subbed! thanks for this.. following closely

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@lightscameraandy]

Do Larry Fong next :)

[@jasonaite]

How about one on christopher doyle? Please

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@brandoncheers]

Could you do something on Vadim Yusov?

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@Pavankumardaggupati]

Please do Bruno Delbonnnel

[@MrSatmary]

Is there an interview where Robert talks about how he screwed up the last shot just like you mentioned at 6:09 ?

[@HBarnill]

Jordan Satmary You can find it on some of the comments here.

[@therevengeofjeroenhouben]

6:10 "Like describing how he screwed up the shot between father and son towards the end of There Will Be Blood"... Could you explain what it is he screwed up? Is there a quote somewhere about this?

[@wolfcrow]

The ASC mag article!

[@needufo]

nice

[@pascalcosta2614]

thanks (once again) for this video! what do you think about PT Anderson being both director and DoP of his new movie?

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome. I have no idea how it'll turn out.

[@pascalcosta2614]

wolfcrow ok let's see, thanks!

[@KingHatsch]

hi your work is great but for me to fast. my english is not so good. okay i should it practice more and come back again but it is still to fast because also of the cutting between the examples. i mean this great cinematographers deni more than 7 minutes. p.s. it would be also great if you show us directors workstyle too. thank you for your knowledge!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@nandhabalamurugan511]

What is meant by kenoflos... Sorry i donno the spelling.. But its being repeated for many times..

[@GTAtrailerOfficial]

Do Robert Yeoman

[@moonman19]

how do you get these infos? so technical details, you get it from any book or while you watch the movies you understand these staff?

[@aiglv]

I'd love a Gordon Willis episode.

[@wolfcrow]

Already done, check it out.

[@aiglv]

Thanks for the one on Sven Nykvist, I loved it.

[@kathiravanganesh5618]

Now upcoming pt Anderson movie. No Robert elswit. Anderson doing cinematography also. Now Robert elswit upcoming movie subrbican directed by George Clooney

[@PrimedProductions]

Lmao Paul Thomas Anderson, that's not how you say Thomas

[@amr_12_]

Gigli ..

[@LordJagd]

YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS FINALLY