Comments | bowtrunckle: Comparative Directorial Styles: Edlund, Rohl, Singer, Scgricca, and Manners

bowtrunckle

Comparative Directorial Styles: Edlund, Rohl, Singer, Scgricca, and Manners

Jul 08, 2012 16:10

This originally was intended to be a small comment for spnematography’s episode discussion for “Reading is Fundamental” (7x21), but it grew into something bigger and took me too long to post in a timely manner for the discussion prompt. So, weeks months later, here it is. Whoops, deadlines.
( The meta fairy visited... )

supernatural meta, 7x21, spnematography, 6x20, 6x22, 1x11, 5x18, 6x16, directors, my ginormous nerd hat, spn

Comments 57

It's perfect! ext_1296362 July 10 2012, 02:23:57 UTC

Thanks for this post. I study film theory, so I enjoyed this shot-by-shot analysis. :D It's worth to make a study essay. Especially I agree with you that Singer prefers zoom shot and Manners is a master of 'floaty' shot. :) I thought of an essay for Kim Manners in the point of view 'Author Policy', you encourage me.
I think Jensen Ackles' directional style is similar with Manners one, extreme high or low angle, and make emotional connection between characters with close-ups.
Thanks for this great posting again. *hug*

Re: It's perfect! bowtrunckle July 10 2012, 04:05:35 UTC

You're welcome. :) I'd love to study film theory formally. Lucky you!

an essay for Kim Manners in the point of view 'Author Policy'

Very cool. Just out of interest, what does "Author Policy" mean?

I think Jensen Ackles' directional style is similar with Manners one, extreme high or low angle, and make emotional connection between characters with close-ups.

I totally agree with you. I think the opening sequence of 7x03 shows Manners' influence. I've also noticed that JA seems to like POV shots (perhaps it due to the fact he's an actor, seeing things though his character's eyes), which is a very obviously/direct way to make an emotional connection between characters and the audience.

Re: It's perfect! ext_1296362 July 10 2012, 04:38:16 UTC

Just before I log out, I find it. :)

Author Policy(Sometimes translated to 'theory') is a kind of film theory, which is a study is centered for one filmmaker (usually directer). Preparing one directors' all works and finding out how he/she uses own skills or theme. Making film is a cooperation work, but a director can or should show his/her own characteristics on work. As like an author for literary work. And that's a one of reasons that film works are not only merchandise for money.

Example, Christopher Nolan shows similar elements(framing, lighting, characterizing, social theme.. etc) in every his work, and that's why his work is unique and worthy.

Oh, I talked too much. It's a french film theory since 1960s, and many critics prefer in my country South Korea. Unfortunately still Korean film critics ignore TV shows directors (and especially Hollywood ones) but I will try to make it a study essay. There is no difference with film directors and TV shows ones. Thanks again for encouraging me. It's important for me. :)

Re: It's perfect! bowtrunckle July 10 2012, 20:48:18 UTC

Thanks for the explanation. It seems that I'm working on author policy, too as I have a long document with the differences/characteristics of each major SPN director that's been lingering on my hard drive for years. I've been meaning to get back to it one of these days.

I love Christopher Nolan's work. Memento is one of my favorite movies.

There is no difference with film directors and TV shows ones.

Yes, Joss Whedon is a nice, recent example of how a TV writer/director can make the leap to feature films.

Good luck on your essay. I'm sure it'll be interesting.

galwithglasses July 10 2012, 02:35:49 UTC

I love your brain. I knew there was something off about 7.21 but I couldn't put my finger on it. The writing seemed off for Edlund too on top of the directing. It was almost like he had too much to do and ended up with both getting short changed. The main thing I felt when I watched the scene was that it was really choppy and almost wooden. It was like everyone was given their mark and had to stay there. Even the sword fight feels constrained by space. It feels odd for this group of actors because we don't usually see them this rooted to the floor.

bowtrunckle July 10 2012, 04:14:03 UTC

Brain love! :D

The writing seemed off

It did. I remember writing *somewhere* that it felt like Edlund was assigned this episode not because it was his brainchild (likely like "My Bloody Valentine" or "Clap Your Hands...") but because he was the veteran writer who was skilled enough to weave together all the crazy, disparate threads in a single episode. "Reading is Fundamental" just didn't have that same whimsical feel or sharp dramatic edge that his episodes usually have. And, yes, it did feel wooden in more ways than one. Perfect descriptor.

borgmama1of5 July 10 2012, 04:26:52 UTC

Fascinating! I love when I get an explanation of why I'm reacting to differences I don't consciously realize!

bowtrunckle July 10 2012, 20:37:09 UTC

Thanks for stopping by. :)

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bowtrunckle July 11 2012, 03:07:48 UTC

did you write this for school essay

I wrote it bec. I like learning about film stuff and needed a way to apply it all. I'm a relatively new stay-at-home mom and I miss using my brain for other things than mashing baby food and figuring out how many trips it'll take to load the car with kids and baby gear. Plus, I like watching SPN and this is a perfect excuse (like I need one anyway).

I never noticed any of these things before, but probably simply because I'm not a film major?

Well, I'm not a film major if that makes you feel better. In fact, I was a geology major. Go rocks! ;)

what if other director (let's say Rohl or Singer) directed the episode? And I concluded, wouldn't it be too dynamic? With all the sh** going on in this one episode, static camerawork helped slow down the crazy pace. Interesting idea. There was a lot going on story-wise, and based just on that I think no matter who directed it, for me, it likely wouldn't still felt scattered and thinly stretched. I know I would've been disappointed bec. I usually ( ... )

arliss July 10 2012, 07:30:20 UTC

This was fabulous. My BiL used to video edit and do camera work for CBS, so we've had some discussions about angles and technique, and why some directors' work appeals to some people and not so much to others.

I miss Manners' work so very much. When he came onboard in S1, the show seemed to gain a look of its own, and a sophistication that many other tv shows just don't have. I could recognize the feel of it from X-Files. It was a signature of SPN for me, and I miss it.

As you've pointed out here, Edlund's style is more static, almost like a filmed stage play. I find it much less engaging and organic than, say, Singer's or Sgriccia's work. If Jensen continues to direct, it will be interesting to see how his style evolves.

bowtrunckle July 11 2012, 03:28:28 UTC

My BiL used to video edit and do camera work for CBS, so we've had some discussions about angles and technique, and why some directors' work appeals to some people and not so much to others.

Fascinating. I'd love to talk to someone about all of that stuff. The psychology behind what some people prefer would be endlessly interesting to me. Lucky you.

the show seemed to gain a look of its own, and a sophistication that many other tv shows just don't have

I agree. I think Manners had a unique vibe that was lost after S4. I'm glad, though, that the cinematographer has been on board since day 1 and is incredibly talented--I think he's been instrumental in maintaining the visual continuity/vibe.

I could recognize the feel of it from X-Files.Ha. I actually started watching partially bec. SPN reminded me of X-files (and I'd run into SPN filming a bunch of times during S1 before I watched the show and wanted to see what my neighborhood and work liked like on TV). I didn't start paying serious attention to production staff until S3 ( ... )