Understanding the Cinematography of Wally Pfister

Download your free blueprint to making a movie or film: wolfcrow.com/how-to-make-a-mo...
I go through some of Wally Pfister's cinematography techniques to help you understand his unique style.
Just to be clear: Wally Pfister 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/recommended-gear/

[@JoshPendergrassFilms]

Please never stop making these, they are so good.

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying them!

[@Whoa802]

It's amazing how fast you put these videos out but they still contain so much quality. Keep it up, man!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@alexisgc33]

love these videos! thanks so much for making them

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@bluefilmsltd]

Wow, what a treat. You've done a terrific job. This was the one I have been waiting for the most!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@azzaalts3831]

im not usually into this sort of stuff in terms of cinematography and film making etc but you have done a very very good job at making me interested

[@FighterCombos]

GREAT VIDEOS!!! keep doing them so well!!!

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@tarasshevchenko8917]

Great job mate!!! Love your channel!

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@qarimanable]

thank you for making these videos. u r doing an amazing job.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@Udhbhavana]

Hi. Nice review. A peculiar style of cinematography. Warmer key lights are very good for both daytime and night time shots. Good review. Keep it up.

[@debellefeuille]

Your videos are as addictive as any Netflix series... don't stop!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@Enzait]

Favourite cinematographer!

[@itsryanwilkes]

Hell yes! This was so good mate. Thank you =)

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@BikiniDeathSquad]

0:44 I love that 80's erotic thriller look. Films like Fatal Attraction, Manhunter, To Live and Die in L.A, The Hunger, are all very cool looking. I would LOVE a video focusing solely on late 80's/early 90's thriller cinematography.

[@ashmotionpictures9806]

Your videos are becoming addictive...keep it up !!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@andreio15]

You really help me with your videos. I'm learning so much from them in order to prepare for my University admittance exam for the Cinematography college. Thank you!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@andreio15]

wolfcrow Keep doing these clips. I really miss "Cinematography Database" commentaries, so I've just discovered your channel.

[@reanoypaul6917]

You are an Angel to Cinematography students❤️

[@kalatayuk]

your videos are so cool, keep doing this videos

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, sure!

[@JosephQuillen]

Awesome equipment and technical breakdown! That said, I would have loved some of your thoughts on framing. Framing is a bit more subjective, so I understand steering away from it, but you have a great eye!

[@Dezvyn]

one of my favorite DPs. good stuff!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@Dezvyn]

An interesting subject you touched upon in your video essay on Janusz Kaminski's work was the transition to digital and how his work was affected. Anthony Dod Mantle is not a DP that necessarily stands out for his lighting prowess but his camera choices and willingness to push the boundaries of image capture is interesting. Dante Spinotti, another personal favorite of mine especially for his work on Michael Mann films like Heat, The Insider, Manhunter as well as L.A Confidential, made some interesting choices. His work on the digital platform doesn't hold up as well (Public Enemy) but is still interesting given the stylistic decisions and treatment of digital capture. Would love to see more videos that highlight these interesting subjects in addition to their work.

[@angelicow56]

Really enjoyed this video and the others in this series. Some reccomendstions would be Larry Smith and Vilmos (but I'm sure this one is in the works right now). Thanks again.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome. They're on the list!

[@ChathuraPerera]

soo awesome

[@MirdjanHyle]

Thank you for this!! Your channel is becoming one of my favourites in all the KZbin-verse!! Will you ever do Trent Opaloch?

[@wolfcrow]

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

[@weretogethercomedy8688]

I love every single one of these thanks for doing them!! Anyway you could do one on writer/director/DP - Quentin Dupieux? Love his framing and camera work on RUBBER!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, sure!

[@HBarnill]

He did shoot some shots with a high speed digital camera for Inception, as you mentioned, but he said that they weren't used in the final film.

[@85Dragonball]

great videos!!!!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@guillermocastellanos1967]

Love it!!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@mrfukamachi1275]

Lovely information wolfcrow, would very much appreciate a video on Douglas Slocombe

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@TheFitchproductions]

Thank you so much

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@OwenTuson02]

I hope you make one of these videos about me one day. Not that I'm even good enough in the slightest but it'd be soooo cool to have you're own work studied to this degree. Another brilliant video man we done!

[@wolfcrow]

Who knows? You better thank me in your acceptance speech.

[@OwenTuson02]

I will do! This info is invaluable!

[@vianeyconde1748]

Hey! thank you for your videos! I love them. One of my favorite cinematographers is Reed Morano. I hope you could analyze her work.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome, sure!

[@DBROstalos]

Thanks!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@TheFitchproductions]

I would love to see a video on Vadim Yusov, Keep up the great work

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@thenout]

Great video as always, thanks! The DoP I'd like to have you analyzed would be Anthony Dod Mantle. I think he's a very interesting subject, as he does not only pushes the limits stylistically, but also technically - building custom camera setups and rigs designed for individual projects

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome! He's on the list!

[@todorbodurov-toshiro6396]

Great work! I'd like to see videos about: Benoit Debie, Luca Bigazzi, Darius Khondji, Anthony Dod Mantle, Georgi Rerberg, Vadim Yosov...

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@AtticTapes14]

Cinematographers need more recognition than directors

[@AEROMAN93G]

thank you! make more videos

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@kuzih4798]

Always great! Please analyze the cinematography of Benoît Debie and of Matthew Libatique!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, sure!

[@waltermontiel4405]

Hey, man - I'd love it if you could analyze the work of Nicola Pecorini!

[@charleshood5872]

These videos are fantastic. I'd love to see Darius Khondji and Jan De Bont.

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@serwinzzalot9989]

Good shit

[@wackoefilms]

you the man!!!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@NicolasWaldvogel]

Awesome video! Could you in your next video talk a little bit more about camera movement? Cheers

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks! Camera movement is the director's responsibility (if he/she wants it). I've spoken a bit about camera operation in the Sven Nykvist video.

[@NicolasWaldvogel]

+wolfcrow well true but I do beleve that a DP like Pfister also has their fair share of contributions to camera movements.

[@jinitghelani5860]

After Emmanuel Lubezki and Roger Deakins, I wanted to see one on Wally Pfister. Thanks alot ! Great Video ! Cheers !

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@hoonsohn4401]

Great series! May I suggest Kim Hyeong-gu- he works with Bong Joon Ho- Memories of Murder, The Host, etc.... and Darius Khondji

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, both are on the list!

[@maxguillen8135]

YES YES YES

[@mankriter]

Great job as always. Have you ever considered making a video on John Alcott?

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, yes!

[@calebwild8007]

I miss is when he was a DP. He was one of my all time favorites. PLEASE do a video on Sean Bobbitt, he's my favorite DP and one of the best who shoots on film (except when he shoots digitally which looks horribly). His cinematography is so beautiful I could watch it all day. If you can't I understand, I really appreciate your education from these videos. God loves you and has given you an incredible gift! :)

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you! Sean Bobbit is on the list!

[@calebwild8007]

Dope. When is his episode coming do you think?

[@kaemmili4590]

Thx wolfcrow =D whe we we have the honor to watch a video going like "how to create your own cinematography style " , digging in the process of the creation of the style , ie , going from a vision to technics and finally use of equipement . pleaaaase =)

[@jacobhebdon1413]

Although this answer can get tedious, many would reccomend finding what looks good to you. Starting with basics of lighting, then moving on to what you want to see in a movie. It can get tedious, as many do give this answer, but it's very true. Style always comes down to you and what you want.

[@kaemmili4590]

+Hebdon Films yes sir and i find it being the perfect answer . style is nothing but a prefernece expressed with means. but having a kinda inventary of technics from different film makers to realise how short linded we are can be a good way to free our imagination and therefore let us dare to "want " want we want

[@kaemmili4590]

+karim mili short linded = short minded ^^

[@electricdreamer]

Do you have videos about Robert Richardson?

[@aurora_viz]

You such a savior... Now waiting for Anthony Dod Mantle.. :D

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@brmoogma]

Please make a video about Dante Spinotti..He has to be in the series :)

[@raphaeldasilva2039]

Please this is very important and whoever ever helps me, seriously I love you! So I've wondering this for months and months and somehow I can't find the answer, The question is what focal lengths does Christopher Nolan use the most or in this case Wally pfister?

[@mayankimmortal]

Love from India keep up

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@thereddiablo5957]

Shadows in Moneyball are amazing.

[@paulpasadena]

Could you do Matthew Libatique?

[@vivix35]

Hi, first of all thank you for all your videos about cinematography. Could you do one about Carlo Di Palma?

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome, he's on the list.

[@vivix35]

Looking forward to see it =) One more question, are you gonna do an episode about the different cinema lens ?

[@wolfcrow]

What specifically do you want covered?

[@williamsomero]

Could you please do Alwin H. Küchler?

[@AllThingsKen]

Hey, I was wondering if you could do a video on the cinematographer Jacques Jouffret. He's done films like Transformers and The Purge. I really love his close ups for dialogue scenes. Most of his films are done on long lenses I believe. I would really appreciate it if you could do this one. :D

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@AllThingsKen]

+wolfcrow Yes! Looking forward to it.

[@TheAppus090]

Please increase duration and add more more content

[@raksh9]

Ah, who doesn't have to work on erotic thrillers to make ends meet? Thank you for yet another engaging analysis, and this time of one of my favourite cinematographers.

[@wolfcrow]

Making ends meet is what it's all about!

[@nicolojavier]

are you taking on John Mathieson anytime soon?

[@randallpaul6559]

yes Brilliant

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@randallpaul6559]

wolfcrow both commention and Wally's work

[@AtticTapes14]

My question: who does more of the camera work in movies? The director or the cinematographer?

[@guantingdu3574]

Please do Robby Muller next！

[@mikaelr.9676]

John Toll please:)

[@davidprins1938]

You are a fucking gentleman and a scholar. We thank you.

[@davidprins1938]

Also for a videk, I'd love to see your take on Steven Soderberg, preferably the beautifully underrated Solaris.

[@verlocitybrand2290]

Great video, but why didn't you guys add background music to any of your videos

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, Light is enough!

[@scs54]

You should do Bill Pope next

[@MrYoungcam]

When do we get Owen Roizman? If he was available, I'd hire him over anyone else.

[@phanisharma9878]

why dont u try on pc sreeram work in ok kanmani mainly in songs

[@guru.prasath]

Please make a video on P.C.Sreeram, the guru of many modern day cinematographers in India.

[@CarlosRiveraFernandez]

Freddie Young!

[@ivadencheva4417]

Do one for Benoit Debie please!

[@HarishAgastya]

please analyze indian cinematographer santhosh sivan

[@bluefilmsltd]

Memento shot with 75mm lenses? So with a 35mm film camera crop of 1.5, that's about 112mm...pretty long lens, far longer than I expected. Memento looks like it was lensed with normal lenses like 35mm-42mm.

[@wolfcrow]

It's the other way around. You have to divide. Check out this article on wolfcrow: wolfcrow.com/blog/why-does-the-revenant-look-so-3d-and-life-like-what-makes-the-65mm-format-special/

[@bluefilmsltd]

Ahh I see, so technically 'Memento' was shot with focal lengths equivalent to 50mm??

[@TimofejNenarokov]

how about Steve Lawes how worked on 5 episodes of Sherlock

[@wolfcrow]

I'll add him to the list

[@TimofejNenarokov]

add Bill Pope, Harris Savides, Georgi Rerberg and Vadim Yusov

[@aurora_viz]

Woah waiting for this one :D

[@stefanmarques1511]

Dariusz Wolski Please

[@elid377]

do rebert rodriguez

[@vladislavgavrilovski1471]

Do a Guy Ritchie pls!

[@wowpwnme]

hahah nuclear rim light, brilliant sir!!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@serwinzzalot9989]

Do michael bay...i think people forget how crazy his shots are...with the last transformers he may finally be evolving his bad boys style to something cleaner

[@nm800]

Slawomir idziak please!!!!

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

Fucking fantastic cinematographer. Is Robert Yeoman anytime soon?

[@wolfcrow]

Soon!

[@thenout]

Cool!

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

wolfcrow Thanks my man

[@miguelriveraalvarez1855]

Conrad L. Hall

[@Theeditgirl107]

Vilmos Zsigmond

[@SergiMedina]

Taking the footage from KZbin or something isn't any good. Not only there's a lot of lossy compression artifacts after so many and heavy recompressions... It kills the detail and colors as well. In fact, most of the shots have lifted blacks, I think because depending on how the material is processed some software or devices unintentionally lift the blacks for some reason (aside from the destructive recompression). Not a reliable material to look at for reference purposes... It's not illegal at all to rip some shots of your Blu-ray or something as long as you use them for educational purposes. See *Fair Use.* I like, though, that you know (assuming you got it from a reliable source) some curiosities like he likes to grade using plasma, I'm guessing because it's much better than LCD for precise blacks and better contrast overall. That shows once again how important is to grade in a properly-calibrated and high-quality screen.

[@oscarjimenez3548]

john toll john seamus Maryse Alberti Ellen Kuras

[@24canvases48]

ERIC GAUTIER

[@fatnoodle5057]

vilmos zsigmond

[@lucasbuenofm8760]

Awesome cinematographer, awful director. Great video!

[@Whoa802]

You can tell he isn't particularly a fan of Wally here...

[@drawband4376]

Are you a DP/Camera operator, mate?

[@wolfcrow]

Nope.

[@drawband4376]

You should be, I like your videos. Great work!