The Genius Way Better Call Saul Starts its Scenes

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  • Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
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    This essay explores a unique and creative way that Better Call Saul establishes scenes.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 211

  • @ThomasFlight
    @ThomasFlight  6 років тому +68

    Thank you to my patrons: patreon.com/thomasflight

    • @MrCowboySpaceman
      @MrCowboySpaceman 6 років тому +2

      I started a mubi subscription. Thanks for bringing that website to my attention.

    • @ThomasFlight
      @ThomasFlight  6 років тому +1

      Awesome! I'm glad to have sponsors that are genuinely great, and that I can honestly recommend to people. :)

    • @denicecarlagordon3040
      @denicecarlagordon3040 5 років тому +2

      I' Love "Better call Saul" Great Amazing actors four stars writer's excellent story drama and incredible directing. Can't wait for Season 5. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • @bruhsweet3154
    @bruhsweet3154 6 років тому +893

    Better Call Saul is probably the closest TV has ever gotten to poetry. It is a truly beautiful and underrated show

    • @WildHeart7777
      @WildHeart7777 4 роки тому +4

      i was thinking that the other day...very well said.

    • @paperchasindude6578
      @paperchasindude6578 4 роки тому +1

      Fr tho

    • @andrewstephens5885
      @andrewstephens5885 3 роки тому +10

      Dark takes that spot! mind bending and beautifully bleak german series. don’t watch the english dub !!

    • @Mandibularmenace
      @Mandibularmenace 3 роки тому +4

      @@andrewstephens5885 Fargo comes extremely close as well

    • @bruhsweet3154
      @bruhsweet3154 3 роки тому +2

      @I drink your milkshake Still have not binged those yet!

  • @hankwicklund2182
    @hankwicklund2182 3 роки тому +162

    The cinematography of BCS is so consistently great. With BB, there were many impressive shots, but in BCS it seems like almost every shot is perfect. Definitely a step up.

    • @Angelica-is3en
      @Angelica-is3en Рік тому +13

      completely agree. I think this is a perfect example of a person with an iconic creative idea executing it amazingly the first time around, and then PERFECTING it the second time. BCS is beyond iconic with its cinematography.

  • @8bitmagic
    @8bitmagic 6 років тому +372

    The depth of this show is astonishing

  • @solharv7817
    @solharv7817 6 років тому +258

    Wow, so right. BCS isn’t a trajectory-show, like Breaking Bad. It’s a scene-show. It drifts narratively because the drama isn’t to be found in ultimate outcomes; we already know most of those outcomes from B.B. The drama of the show is present on a scene to scene basis. Genius.

  • @Carlos-ln8fd
    @Carlos-ln8fd 6 років тому +96

    It's crazy to me that a show about lawyers and drug dealers can look so incredible. They find beauty in the most ordinary places.

  • @skialarmahar6991
    @skialarmahar6991 5 років тому +75

    I will never get over how genius this show really is, especially for a spin-off.

  • @saskiaviking9447
    @saskiaviking9447 6 років тому +369

    Glad you are covering the best show right now on Tv.

  • @ty_teynium
    @ty_teynium 6 років тому +168

    The show is much better than I thought. It’s doing it’s own thing even for a show that doesn’t have a lot of scenes with Jimmie and the BB cast. It focuses on its own set of characters and their background and not just making it tie in with the BB timeline.

  • @LukeIsyourfasha
    @LukeIsyourfasha 6 років тому +56

    The whole video, demonstrated why this show isn't a drama, it just a piece of art.

    • @TomatoestDuck
      @TomatoestDuck 5 років тому

      Was that meant to downplay the show? Or were you complimenting how well it is made?

    • @mergieismoronic
      @mergieismoronic 4 роки тому

      +TomatoDuck
      Complimenting.

  • @Dominic-Decoco
    @Dominic-Decoco 4 роки тому +34

    You think the writers ever watch these videos and feel rewarded knowing that there’s fans out there that pick up on this stuff and fully appreciate it?

    • @Carlos-ln8fd
      @Carlos-ln8fd 4 роки тому +18

      the people making the show have a podcast and they often say that they love how the viewers notice all the small details and that it inspires them to work harder.

    • @alyxbabineaux2412
      @alyxbabineaux2412 3 роки тому

      @@Carlos-ln8fd can u give a link?

    • @Carlos-ln8fd
      @Carlos-ln8fd 3 роки тому +4

      @@alyxbabineaux2412 it's called "better call saul insider's podcast". you can find it on spotify also i think some episodes are on youtube.

  • @shivzzi
    @shivzzi 5 років тому +39

    When it comes to visual storytelling and just that then BCS > BB. Every character's story is told so beautifully and visually.

  • @Carlos-ln8fd
    @Carlos-ln8fd 4 роки тому +23

    No wonder Wes Anderson said this was his favorite show.

  • @thiccboss4780
    @thiccboss4780 6 років тому +80

    alot of great classic film either start or end on these majestic existentialist shots of contemplative cinematography
    but in Breaking Bad&Better Call Saul , 70% of shots filmed are that good , true cinema is't dead......it just moved over to smaller monitors

  • @vicenteortegarubilar9418
    @vicenteortegarubilar9418 6 років тому +82

    The best example of a spin off for me. Is great to see this video.

  • @williamdavis8076
    @williamdavis8076 3 роки тому +13

    This opened my eyes to a whole new dimension of the show, thank you.

  • @SlipNJimmy
    @SlipNJimmy 6 років тому +76

    This is easily my favorite show on tv right now. It’s even surpassed Breaking Bad in my opinion. The writing and directing is absolutely brilliant.

    • @KyanNezhad
      @KyanNezhad 4 роки тому +5

      They've mastered their craft. I don't separate the two shows anymore.

    • @michaelharris4693
      @michaelharris4693 2 роки тому +2

      It'd def better than BrBa, as good as that program is. BCS takes it to another level...

    • @tommorrison5400
      @tommorrison5400 2 роки тому +4

      I agree, the only reason BB is almost comparable is because of how thrilling of a plot it has. BCS is better on nearly every other metric

  • @denisesancan9715
    @denisesancan9715 6 років тому +15

    I love your cerebral approach to the subject matter. These are tomorrows classics, and you
    appreciate that.

  • @theonlymexicanman4422
    @theonlymexicanman4422 6 років тому +211

    Too bad this video came out less than a day after one of the bests intros of the series

    • @ThomasFlight
      @ThomasFlight  6 років тому +87

      Yeah I just watched it tonight. It might be too soon but it was maybe one of TVs best intros. So good.

    • @Hypnoticish
      @Hypnoticish 6 років тому +5

      I didnt expect it at all and it was such an amazing scene it blew my mind

    • @caroluduena2304
      @caroluduena2304 6 років тому +1

      Best intro ever!

    • @blitzgolu123
      @blitzgolu123 6 років тому +1

      which episode ?

    • @Hypnoticish
      @Hypnoticish 6 років тому +3

      @@blitzgolu123 I believe its 8 or 7 not entirely sure

  • @sspprashant20
    @sspprashant20 4 роки тому +13

    Vince Gilligan is a genius.
    I remember watching the scene where Kim is trying to resolve the state border and then wondering what the subsequent scene where her car is stuck would signify later, only to be revealed that her work pressure indeed caused her to crash the car.

  • @PumpkinEyes-fn2ht
    @PumpkinEyes-fn2ht 4 роки тому +12

    I really hope for a “El Camino” style movie for Gene at the end of the series!

    • @antoinetrefeu1800
      @antoinetrefeu1800 4 роки тому +1

      As the intros being longer each season, the next will probably conclude the Gene story.

  • @David73490MY
    @David73490MY 4 роки тому +51

    I've been watching Ozark, and although the story moves everything passionately, the camera work is so very boring with a profound lack of creativity. Parallelly I've been watching season 5 of Better Call Saul and honestly the camera work is masterful... it's more powerful when one remembers that 90% of the job happens in the writers' room. BSC is streets ahead of any other powerful series, such as Westworld for instance. The camera is merely descriptive.

    • @nobodyatallvallejo3672
      @nobodyatallvallejo3672 4 роки тому +6

      I'm trying to "muscle" my way through Ozark, but I can't help but think of it as a decaffeinated version of the Breaking Bad universe.

    • @David73490MY
      @David73490MY 4 роки тому +3

      @@nobodyatallvallejo3672 Perfect way to describe it. It is an impotent show... whit such a powerful story, feels like a waste.

    • @Carlos-ln8fd
      @Carlos-ln8fd 4 роки тому +2

      i get you. the filmmaking in BCS is exciting and brings the story to life. in other shows it's either boring or distracting.

    • @rawman44
      @rawman44 3 роки тому +10

      I can't believe I've now seen someone actually use the term "streets ahead."
      Pierce would be proud

    • @LanceVanceDance84
      @LanceVanceDance84 3 роки тому

      Give Fargo a try. To me it stands at an equal height to BCS and is just as beautifully shot.

  • @More_Row
    @More_Row 6 років тому +38

    It’s a great fricking show.

  • @MrsTherrylein
    @MrsTherrylein 4 роки тому +7

    I always wondered why they showed the clock as an opening shot! very well done video, the use of the split screen and the scenes you chose support your explanations perfectly

  • @angelodeita4605
    @angelodeita4605 4 роки тому +4

    I love this show way too much

  • @JB-jt6oq
    @JB-jt6oq Місяць тому

    I finished the show yesterday.
    I was constantly pausing episodes to admire the compositions... Brilliant direction.
    Not to mention the choices of licensed songs and the OSTs.
    And the script... Everything connects in an incredible way. I simply DEVOURED this show in the last few days.

  • @michaelharris4693
    @michaelharris4693 2 роки тому +2

    I must say that I always admire those who have a working knowledge base on things about which I know so little. I am very impressed with your assessments (this and other vids). Very well done. I wish I were eloquent enough to explain these things to others when praising BCS. You are on point on all counts!

  • @ParrotheadPoet
    @ParrotheadPoet 5 років тому +5

    your analyses are going to cause me to watch the show in a different way now. I love this kind of details!

  • @donaminta
    @donaminta 3 роки тому +2

    0:53 there's a season 5 episode (cant remember which) that does this exactly with Kim and Jimmy both drinking on the balcony. Such a gorgeous show.

  • @VigneshKrishnamurthy2509
    @VigneshKrishnamurthy2509 6 років тому +8

    This show is one of the great pieces of modern art.

  • @marcogh
    @marcogh 6 років тому +10

    They really do use amazing shots.

  • @maxobyrne1474
    @maxobyrne1474 6 років тому +45

    The👏video👏we👏need👏on👏the👏prequel👏we👏need👏

  • @ThataGiy
    @ThataGiy 6 років тому +7

    It’s legitimately a crime that GoT gets 10 million viewers per episode but BCS can barely break 2 million.

    • @claudiap.53
      @claudiap.53 6 років тому

      its because sex and violence sells......

  • @PinacoladaMatthew
    @PinacoladaMatthew 4 роки тому +1

    that's why this show is so good.....so many small yet ingenious details underneath, that you dont even realize....but together you just can't help utfeel utterly engrossed by it.

  • @djsosonut
    @djsosonut 4 роки тому +2

    Thanks for pointing out another thing to love about the series.

  • @LPerion
    @LPerion 5 років тому +1

    dude your voice gives the video such a chill atmosphere just wow

  • @fabricio_santana
    @fabricio_santana 6 років тому +2

    So interesting. We don't notice how much craft goes into making a show like that when we're watching.

  • @tomstonemale
    @tomstonemale 4 роки тому +1

    I remember the constant use of red and blue colors. No sure if every season but we jump from red to blue whenever there was tension or the promise of tension. Like when Jimmy puts the giant billboard.

  • @palindrome2599
    @palindrome2599 6 років тому +2

    Fantastic video analysis here, it's good to see this show get some genuine love.

  • @IfOUGHTpIRANHAz
    @IfOUGHTpIRANHAz 6 років тому +2

    The more videos you make about better call Saul, the better. It is a brilliant show and you are a brilliant UA-camr

  • @rasmustagu
    @rasmustagu 3 роки тому +1

    Great analysis!!

  • @justincarnes1656
    @justincarnes1656 5 років тому +6

    It took me 2 seasons to get into Breaking Bad (I was really bored one summer and was told it was a great show.) It took me one episode to get into Better Call Saul. I do feel like that's due to the stories, and the personalities of the characters. It could also be that I already liked Saul from Breaking Bad though.

    • @Savion787
      @Savion787 2 роки тому +2

      Better call Saul is crazy good like a lawyer show is one of the most interesting shows I’ve watched😂

  • @crepaulcog5849
    @crepaulcog5849 6 років тому +2

    I also noticed this pattern but I didn't realise there were so many examples ! Great video.

  • @greenbeagle13
    @greenbeagle13 Рік тому

    Good video - thank you. I rarely grasp the obvious symbolism used in shows like this - appreciate your analyses.

  • @bruh666
    @bruh666 5 років тому +2

    this makes me craaaaaaaaave a new season so much , can't wait

  • @Travisdeste
    @Travisdeste 6 років тому +2

    Wow AMAZING video.
    I like to try and understand the cinematography, the composition of shots and what each scene is trying to convey, especially in shows like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Mr. Robot, as they all feature very interesting, thought provoking and sometimes just beautiful shots.
    I never studied anything about film making so all this is just casual fun for me while watching the shows I love.
    So thank you for making this video and helping me understand more about this world and keeping my eyes open to things I wouldn't have otherwise thought about.

  • @milkdud6993
    @milkdud6993 4 роки тому

    You’re way underrated. The wire series, everything that tickled my ears. Much love

  • @SR-uo9bm
    @SR-uo9bm 4 роки тому +1

    Better Call Saul has such amazing cinematography. It floors me every episode.

  • @DeflectingDinosaurs
    @DeflectingDinosaurs 5 років тому +1

    wow i never noticed this! that’s really cool. thanks for laying it out in an easy to understand way

  • @ishwarchandragupta4952
    @ishwarchandragupta4952 Рік тому

    Man... you're a one hell of a ananylist !
    Bravo Thomas 👏👏

  • @mavtot
    @mavtot 6 років тому +2

    Your BCS videos are great. Keep doing this please :)

  • @austinitsua
    @austinitsua 2 роки тому +1

    I could study this show for 500,000 hours and never get bored

    • @stolensentience
      @stolensentience 9 місяців тому

      That would be about one lifetime. Are you sure you would like to continue?
      [ yes ] [ no ]

  • @therat7886
    @therat7886 4 роки тому +2

    Bro just use the great gatsby’s approach of just making everything yellow

  • @bndawg2000
    @bndawg2000 4 роки тому +2

    This points out things to me I never would have even thought twice about. That makes this show even more impressive

  • @isg75
    @isg75 Рік тому

    The courthouse coffee is a double callback; to the first season as you show, and to the opening scene of the episode where Howard lovingly makes his wife a top-shelf coffee. It's a contrasting callback (I'm sure there's a better term for it).

  • @mikemorris1530
    @mikemorris1530 5 років тому +1

    BCS is better than BB IMHO. It may not have the action of BB but the characters and scrip are more interesting and rewarding. The conflict between Saul and Chuck is so intense and brilliant and even though you want Saul to win you know deep down that Chuck is right, creating a conflict within myself. FYI, they could also do a "spin off" of a "spin off" with Mike if he wasn't so old.

  • @驼羊-h8r
    @驼羊-h8r 4 роки тому +1

    Good job! I knew something was missing in season 5, it is the opening shot.

  • @58lespaul
    @58lespaul 4 роки тому +4

    Thoughtful analysis, however the future is not a fixed point on BCS. As each season opens on Gene’s predicament, there remains the very real likelihood of future transformation for Jimmy/Saul/Gene. I don’t believe his story will end in Omaha.

  • @caroluduena2304
    @caroluduena2304 6 років тому +1

    Great video! i love the symbolism of this show.

  • @runxiaoluo7559
    @runxiaoluo7559 5 років тому

    Wonderful videos man. Subscribed.

  • @TinyFord1
    @TinyFord1 5 років тому +7

    You could basically just have said “Better call Saul is the perfect series”😂

  • @Pekkamaattanen
    @Pekkamaattanen 6 років тому +17

    I love this show

  • @senshai1267
    @senshai1267 5 років тому

    Best shows I've seen ever . The level of genius behind it !

  • @Brandonhayhew
    @Brandonhayhew 6 років тому +11

    BSC and Breaking Bad is the best TV show ever!

  • @Carlos-ln8fd
    @Carlos-ln8fd 6 років тому +2

    This show is too good to be real

  • @berlin990
    @berlin990 13 днів тому

    I think it’s tragic most people prefer BB over BCS simply because it’s more bombastic. In BCS I think it’s obvious the show runners and cinematographers honed their craft like crazy, it’s so so good.

  • @KaiserUnique
    @KaiserUnique Рік тому

    My favorite opening shot in the whole series is the scene in season 1 where Jimmy kicks the trash can after he lost the Kettlemans to HHM. The opening shot is focused on the trash can, there’s other stuff in frame so it could seem rather innocuous. But even on first watch I was like weird how they put the trash can in focus but assumed it was just a random choice. Jimmy then goes up the elevator and after learning that his possible clients have been lost to HHM he goes right back down the elevator and does what? Kick that same trash can that the camera was focusing on before. The shit literally made break up laughing cuz I didn’t expect a pay off to what had been set up visually.
    Simple things like that really show the power of visual storytelling and why BCS is so good at it.

  • @basstian
    @basstian 4 роки тому +1

    Magnificent!

  • @Jamie-kv9eg
    @Jamie-kv9eg 6 років тому +1

    Liked the video before watching because i knew it would be good

  • @AndyJmovies
    @AndyJmovies 5 років тому +2

    Better Call Saul is a masterpiece

  • @prashanth_js
    @prashanth_js 6 років тому

    I was waiting for someone to do this.

  • @tsresc
    @tsresc 6 років тому +3

    *This show is subconsciously trippy!*

  • @moony3890
    @moony3890 8 місяців тому

    I just need Thomas Flight to make more videos about bcs.

  • @iwillheadlockyournan731
    @iwillheadlockyournan731 6 років тому +1

    awesome video

  • @louishugh-jones1743
    @louishugh-jones1743 6 років тому

    That was smashing. Probably your best.

  • @ryanm7263
    @ryanm7263 6 років тому

    Great content, thank you

  • @d-552
    @d-552 3 роки тому

    great spin-off for a great series

  • @plzzz
    @plzzz 4 роки тому

    The pinnacle of story-telling.

  • @aryanjoshua8
    @aryanjoshua8 6 років тому +1

    Could you please make a video on how you study a film or breakdown a show. Like the process ?

  • @scoutswell
    @scoutswell 5 років тому

    great video

  • @ifog99
    @ifog99 6 років тому

    Man I can't wait to see how you view season 4. It's getting to be better than the previous one

  • @StefanReich
    @StefanReich 5 років тому

    God damn, Chuck's brain-insulting "condition"

  • @justinhamilton8647
    @justinhamilton8647 5 років тому

    Such a good series.

  • @YvesKhachan
    @YvesKhachan 6 років тому +2

    Wow, what a great, intelligent analysis!
    What is the music used at 4:28 please? Thank you and keep up the good work.

  • @iloveeveryone8611
    @iloveeveryone8611 4 роки тому +1

    Today is the start of season 5!!!

  • @blackbird9645
    @blackbird9645 3 роки тому

    you have a good eye for seamlessly missed gems....

  • @departmentofpoetry1416
    @departmentofpoetry1416 6 років тому

    Well said!

  • @TheDCGuitar13
    @TheDCGuitar13 4 роки тому +2

    Bcs is to breaking bad what godfather 2 is to The Godfather. A sequel you didn’t expect a lot out of that outdid the original in ways you cant pinpoint but you know.

  • @xExile7
    @xExile7 5 років тому +1

    I feel like Bob Odenkirk could play a good joker

  • @amirsalarhamidi
    @amirsalarhamidi Рік тому

    perfect!

  • @bethwenner
    @bethwenner 5 років тому +1

    Does anyone know any books that would list and delve into these types of techniques?

  • @tsresc
    @tsresc 6 років тому +2

    *Here's Johnny!*

  • @sophiaanderson3064
    @sophiaanderson3064 6 років тому

    wow, and now a video on better call saul?? marry me!

  • @laurenjcoates
    @laurenjcoates 4 роки тому +1

    Love your analysis but is there a reason all of your better call Saul videos only use examples from the Jimmy plot lines and not the Nacho/Mike ones

    • @Carlos-ln8fd
      @Carlos-ln8fd 4 роки тому

      Do you think so? i think the filmmaking is just as good in the Mike/Nacho sequences. In the Mike storyline you have that great tracking shot in season 2 showing how the Salamancas smuggle drugs into the US. It's a visual motif that pays off almost a whole season later.
      There's also all those super slow scenes of Mike disasembling the car and tracking Gus at the start of season 3. With Nacho you have that spectacular sequence at 403 of the fake shootout. It's a really complicated story element that gets explained solely through visuals.

  • @peterprice6035
    @peterprice6035 6 років тому

    The fact that we know (to a large extent) where this show is going, and that - as you say - this therefore necessitates methodical, if not even slow-paced, techniques and styles of dramatisation, raises an important question IMO.
    Can this type of TV/film only exist BECAUSE we know where the show is going, or is it a shame that said techniques and styles of dramatisation do not get utilised more often elsewhere IN SPITE of it. Otherwise put, shouldn't more TV/Film simply be more interesting and engaging?

    • @ThomasFlight
      @ThomasFlight  6 років тому +3

      I think it's the latter. A show like The Sopranos is an excellent example of these types of techniques and pacing being used to create drama, even when we don't know where the show is going.
      I think more TV and film could and absolutely should be more interesting and engaging. Thing is, since there's often an inherent amount of drama in the mystery of the plot and wanting to know what happens to the characters, many shows get by on that drama alone, and spend less time "constructing it" on the scene to scene level.

  • @atanatokosmiki216
    @atanatokosmiki216 6 років тому

    The jazzy background music, please?

  • @barsorhan2304
    @barsorhan2304 3 роки тому

    The greatest show of all time

  • @pixelprincess9
    @pixelprincess9 Рік тому

    maybe its because im high but it took me five minutes to figure out what the title of this video was supposed to be saying without any punctuation

  • @Airoehead
    @Airoehead 2 роки тому

    typo in the video title: "Start A Scenes" cover it up before Chuck can find it!

  • @geozipper
    @geozipper 2 роки тому

    In general, I enjoy your videos & learn something from them. This one however does not connect for me. I don't understand what you're saying about how the opening shots relate to the 'conflict' that is centered in each scene. Perhaps you can fill in the dots of how you get from one to the other? In the absence of knowing of what each conflict is for each scene, perhaps start with the conflict & work backwards?