Every filmmaker has their own style. Some may derive from other filmmakers or even other artists, while other styles are so unique that their work seems to hit you in the face. However, does Paul Thomas Anderson walk the thin line between the two with a subtly wild sensibility?artists he respects, with his own vision. This is something Lenny Boyer of the Fairview Film Club explores in his video essay: the four elements of Paul Thomas Anderson’s film style.
So let’s take a look at Paul Thomas Anderson’s approach to these four cinematic elements.
Cam motion
Anderson is known for his affinity for the work of the kinetic camera, that is, his long tracking shots when the camera follows the action, however, he uses many camera movements, as well as a simple follow-up, as you can see in an excellent example, in the opening of Boogie Nights. He often collaborates with cinematographer Robert Elswit to capture these challenging scenes, with well-choreographed moves, in virtually all of his films, including Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood and, more recently, Inherent. This allows the scene to unfold as in a play, with characters coming and going, allowing the camera to look around you with panoramic moves and inclinations, creating a voyeuristic feel for your movies.
Using light and color
The way Paul Thomas Anderson uses light and color in his films is both strangely subtle and squeaky. You’ll use a very moderate color palette for most objects in the frame, but when you least expect it, you’ll use a bright color to highlight Key Elements?Think of Barry’s costume in Punch Drunk Love or the flame column in There Will Be Blood, which you can see below.
Continuing the theme of light, Paul Thomas Anderson likes to use a lot of lighting to create silhouettes and halos, but manages to do it in his original way.
Character creation
Paul Thomas Anderson has a particular talent for writing, quirky, multidimensional and complicated characters in which actors like to enter and really explore the nuances. His cast often contains some of the company’s most respected actors, such as Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore, in fact, did he direct seven actors in Oscar-nominated performances (in addition to several other awards), and most importantly, directed this performance in which Daniel Day Lewis won an Oscar?For his role in There Will Be Blood.
Soundtrack
Anderson once said that the first time he noticed the song in a movie was when he was watching Stanley Kubrick’s The Clockwork Orange scene, where Alex sings “Singin” In the Rain?In a particularly horrible and violent scene. Of course, Anderson is a kubrick student (aren’t we all?), as he tends to use similar opposition musical juxtapositions between humor and reality, creating a powerful contrast for his film.
In addition, Anderson has worked with composers (Jon Brion and, radiohead, Jonny Greenwood) who create scores that perfectly capture the atmospheres he wants to create by writing his scripts and, being completely immersed in the musical culture itself, it’s no wonder he puts so much emphasis and importance on the music he uses in his work.
What are some of his favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie brands?Let us know in the comments below!