I live in a small town in Ireland and we have a microcosm of different religions and cultures, so I have to disagree with you on your analysis of that. And this movie is way more than just being a vampire movie, it's all about connection and disconnection. Also what Flanagan captured is how people really speak. We don't in reality speak in an edited dialogue fashion like we are used to seeing in movies and tv shows, in reality we speak in a monologue fashion where one speaks their mind and another responds in kind. When the characters speak to each other in this show it feels strange because we're not use to this kind of pace of presentation. That being said, your analysis on the shots used in these scenes was spot on.
Mike Flannigan very often uses very, very slow dolly in shots over the course of a building monologue of dread. He does it's so slow that it is almost imperceptible, but it naturally builds your unease. It's used a lot in hill house.
I love your videos but I couldn’t disagree more that this series isn’t exceptional. Yes, it’s about faith but it’s primarily about love. That’s what makes Flanagan’s shows so different is he’s not trying to scare you. He’s telling beautiful love stories disguised as horror. Exorcist and rosemarys baby didn’t do that. It’s a different story entirely.
Wholeheartedly agree, this show is exceptional. For me, I felt it dealt beautifully with how our ideologies create acceptance and separation, and ultimately, how we deal with the mortality of ourselves and our loved ones. My only wish for the show is that they'd cut a little harder into some of the lengthier dialogues. As amazing as they were, I felt once the main theme of all the individual conversations were out, the scenes seemed to linger just a little too long, slowing the pacing somewhat.
I too couldn’t disagree more. Best thing I’ve seen on Netflix since the series Dark. Plus, I saw another video and a user had a super interesting comment about the fallen angels. The fallen angels were described pretty much exactly like vampires.banished from the light. Said to be sent to dark deep caves. So it’s not exactly cut and dry that this is a vampire it could very well be a fallen angel. I think he intended that to be some thing that the viewer could decide for themselves. I’m sure most people just think it’s a vampire, but I definitely don’t think it’s cut and dry. Here’s what Bard said based on this video asking whether it’s a vampire or fallen angel “as someone who reads a lot about abrahamic religions, i never actually seen it as a vampire, i just assumed that it was a fallen angel (demon) from the begining and the whole sun weakness and blood drinking are just symptoms of him being a literal mockery of regular angel -it is said in ancient jewish texts that angels were casted down into great, dark caves uder ground (the cave where we meet him) -it is said that they are banished from the light and "may they never see the sun again" (they die from light) -it is said that they are a mockery of god (they literally mock the resurrecton of christ by reviving people as monsters and mock the eucharist by drinking their own corrupted blood instead of the blood of christ, the demon in the show also chooses to use a man of faith as his tool to kill a whole flock of his followers) -it is said that they are deceiving (literally tricks an entire town of people into commiting suicide) Vampires are kinda just an extension of what christians would call a demon if you think about it that way (but not entirely ofc, the original and earliest tales of vampires from slavic mythology (wąpierz) describe that vampires were once humans who were cursed during life, but you get what i mean)“ m.ua-cam.com/video/JwhcLo0DhaI/v-deo.html
Agreed here as well. If you stopped at the analysis of the camera work that would be great. I think your assessment of the quality of the storytelling and its ability to connect with people is WAY off.
I'm so glad someone made a video on the camera angles. I noted a couple of angles while watching and it really reinforced the film subliminally. SO well done.
All the problem of the world in a small town, the town is the 'world'...its not a vampire story, its about having a blind faith without knowing if that really is the right path...
Great analysis of those Recreation centre scenes. In episode 2, there was camera work that got me thinking "how did they shoot that"? It looks like a really long take, the camera goes around in circle a 3 people talking on the beach on a sunny morning. What baffles me is they managed to not cast a shadow of the camera operator on the actor when the sun is behind them. By the looks of it, the camera operator was in ankle deep water too for part of it. Then the camera travels to the other end of the beach, does the same thing around another group and goes back to it's starting point on the beach. Pretty cool cinematography, all natural light since the camera does several 360. Maybe there was someone holding a reflector to bounce some light back in the shadows but looks really natural. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that scene.
Watching this makes me consider to think about the type of lens to use. It shouldn't just be, oh! I want this focal length because it's cool & cinematic!. It's insane how everything here is carefully planned and thought out.
Your shot analysis is an eye-opener with regards to story and filmmaking. Often camera tells subtle story and you pointed it out. Your review, however, has overlooked the point of the story and stuck on subplots which you considered unbelievable but with that logic anything and everything can be defied. The small island is created to concentrate deeply on the presence of religious mongers and the bad effect of self-righteous and superstitious community. The addition of Muslim person provokes the unwelcome nature such cult. Vampires are added so that it can be shown how blind a person can he in their faith and how they made (sometimes, forced) to believe in miracles instead of rectifying our sins and making effort to love and help each other in their daily lives. You totally missed the point.
Totally agree. Missed the point. Plus, the fallen angels were basically described exactly like vampires. So, even though the view were assumed, it’s a vampire, I think Mike Flanagan wanted you to also believe the possibility of a fallen angel. I replied to a user above, with a really good comment from someone named. Bard who explained it very well.
This cocktail of ideas is 100% my bag so I looooooved the series 😏 but I'm also coming from the same context Flanagan is; I'm an atheist raised Catholic. I wasn't an alter boy like him (alter girls were still not allowed) but I went to Catholic school and my life was DOUSED in Catholicism: all the ideas, every ritual blessing Father Paul says, the traditions, the repetition of Jesus's body and blood, the "fact" of what the truth of the universe is because it's Church dogma. End of discussion. If anything I thought there wasnt enough chanting prayers. 1 Our Father? 0 Hail Marys? I wish my penance from confession was that short, I was usually assigned 5 Our Fathers and 10 Hail Marys. But my whole life until I was 15-17 I struggled like Riley since I didn't buy it. All their belief monologues-- I had those in my head repeatedly. Someone might picture a snapshot of a teenage girl being her jamming to alternative rock in her room. Mine is me sitting on my bed staring at nothing deep in the back and forth Riley's subjected to. Sorry parts of it don't translate to non-Catholics! My friend called to ask me questions about how taking the Eucharist is treated and what it fully means. But hoooo this was made for me INSTANT CLASSIC MASTERPIECE 🤍😉💙💚🧡 Your analysis: I didn't realize lenses made a visual 'distortion' or allowed you to present the same scenario but give it a different meaning. That's pretty dope. I really liked your side by side comparisons-that was so effective
All is good.. But ur disappointment with all the world problems in a village ..is a simple explanation that creator chose the core theme as religion and wanted to make it on a budget ...That's not a disappointment ..its an achievement
the analysis is interesting and might be completely accurate, it made me think of certain things... I was thinking that if we were to apply a camera framing technique to everyday life (with our eyes in exchange for the camera), the act would seem similar to astrology or numerology by attributing deeper significance to the 'physical positioning of other people' relative to 'our position', especially given we often end up standing or sitting semi-randomly wherever it's convenient or someone left a chair There is a more normal version, where we look at people's body language and posture, which can reveal deceit, hostility, openness, etc... this is especially true between an intimate couple... but, (borrowing from 3D applications) I would call that 'local' position, and for example Midnight Mass's camerawork as 'world' position... anyway, I suppose what made me think about all of this: I wonder how receptive humans are to associating emotions with camera framing techniques, (even though I'm sure it's used in many arts to tell stories, and by directors like Stanley Kubrick), personally I think it still usually feels empty and counter-intuitive when I look at 'symbolic camera framing' in TV or movies
Love our videos! A future video idea would be to explore Korean cinematography. Squid Game, Train to Busan, Parasite, even Sweet Home. I'm always crazy surprised how GOOD their cinematography is for all budget levels of Korean cinema. They must be doing something different than we're doing in the US. Even their B shows have better camera work than in the US. .... I would love to know why???? Their approach must be different than how Hollywood approaches camera work?
Great analysis. The focal lengths change was something I wouldn't have noticed by myself. I also totally agree with your commentary on the show at the end of the video.
I really liked the series. Especially how it ended. (No sequels please. Leave it alone.) My biggest issue was casting. I almost gave up watching during the first two episodes because I kept asking, “why did they cast young people to play old people?” And, “Boy these young people suck at playing old people!” Then as they got younger I was less irritated. I much prefer when they just find older actors who play the older roles of younger characters. That way you tend to avoid the stereotypes of old people - shuffling feet, creaky voices, and inexplicable southern drawls - that we got in heaps with Midnight Mass. 🙄
Well, they'd have to cast a bunch of actors for each character then, because we see all these characters slowly de-age throughout the episodes. I'm fine with the young actors in old makeup since there was a reason for it, even if it was a bit awkward early on when they were at their "oldest".
I hate the camera work in this show. The shakey camera work was so nauseating I had to turn it off half way in to episode 2. I dont watch horror to nauseat myself, too bad because I heard this is really good if you can physically watch it.
I just had to watch it and it is one of the most boring shows to watch. The premise and the story is awesome but I have no idea how they could make it so boring. You could basically cut out 70% of the dialogue and it would have made it. It's like Netflix is trying make enticing story boring because you know, they want to make a show where nothing will be lost if you turn your gaze away for 30 min to chill. This show it a total chill trap.
I really didn’t like this show. the worst thing is the makeup of the eldery woman, You just know immediatly she ll come back young. the horror doesn't exist so the long monologues are for its own sake
How to light a fight scene | KATE ua-cam.com/video/SLdDuA_mZSM/v-deo.html
This is one of the greatest shows released in a very long time.
I live in a small town in Ireland and we have a microcosm of different religions and cultures, so I have to disagree with you on your analysis of that. And this movie is way more than just being a vampire movie, it's all about connection and disconnection. Also what Flanagan captured is how people really speak. We don't in reality speak in an edited dialogue fashion like we are used to seeing in movies and tv shows, in reality we speak in a monologue fashion where one speaks their mind and another responds in kind. When the characters speak to each other in this show it feels strange because we're not use to this kind of pace of presentation. That being said, your analysis on the shots used in these scenes was spot on.
That's very interesting. Thank you for providing this perspective.
Mike Flannigan very often uses very, very slow dolly in shots over the course of a building monologue of dread. He does it's so slow that it is almost imperceptible, but it naturally builds your unease. It's used a lot in hill house.
I love your videos but I couldn’t disagree more that this series isn’t exceptional. Yes, it’s about faith but it’s primarily about love. That’s what makes Flanagan’s shows so different is he’s not trying to scare you. He’s telling beautiful love stories disguised as horror. Exorcist and rosemarys baby didn’t do that. It’s a different story entirely.
Wholeheartedly agree, this show is exceptional. For me, I felt it dealt beautifully with how our ideologies create acceptance and separation, and ultimately, how we deal with the mortality of ourselves and our loved ones.
My only wish for the show is that they'd cut a little harder into some of the lengthier dialogues. As amazing as they were, I felt once the main theme of all the individual conversations were out, the scenes seemed to linger just a little too long, slowing the pacing somewhat.
bly manor directly addresses that!! “you said it was a ghost story. it isn’t. it’s a love story.”
I too couldn’t disagree more. Best thing I’ve seen on Netflix since the series Dark. Plus, I saw another video and a user had a super interesting comment about the fallen angels. The fallen angels were described pretty much exactly like vampires.banished from the light. Said to be sent to dark deep caves. So it’s not exactly cut and dry that this is a vampire it could very well be a fallen angel. I think he intended that to be some thing that the viewer could decide for themselves. I’m sure most people just think it’s a vampire, but I definitely don’t think it’s cut and dry. Here’s what Bard said based on this video asking whether it’s a vampire or fallen angel
“as someone who reads a lot about abrahamic religions, i never actually seen it as a vampire, i just assumed that it was a fallen angel (demon) from the begining and the whole sun weakness and blood drinking are just symptoms of him being a literal mockery of regular angel
-it is said in ancient jewish texts that angels were casted down into great, dark caves uder ground (the cave where we meet him)
-it is said that they are banished from the light and "may they never see the sun again" (they die from light)
-it is said that they are a mockery of god (they literally mock the resurrecton of christ by reviving people as monsters and mock the eucharist by drinking their own corrupted blood instead of the blood of christ, the demon in the show also chooses to use a man of faith as his tool to kill a whole flock of his followers)
-it is said that they are deceiving (literally tricks an entire town of people into commiting suicide)
Vampires are kinda just an extension of what christians would call a demon if you think about it that way (but not entirely ofc, the original and earliest tales of vampires from slavic mythology (wąpierz) describe that vampires were once humans who were cursed during life, but you get what i mean)“
m.ua-cam.com/video/JwhcLo0DhaI/v-deo.html
Agreed here as well. If you stopped at the analysis of the camera work that would be great. I think your assessment of the quality of the storytelling and its ability to connect with people is WAY off.
I'm so glad someone made a video on the camera angles. I noted a couple of angles while watching and it really reinforced the film subliminally. SO well done.
All the problem of the world in a small town, the town is the 'world'...its not a vampire story, its about having a blind faith without knowing if that really is the right path...
Great analysis of those Recreation centre scenes. In episode 2, there was camera work that got me thinking "how did they shoot that"? It looks like a really long take, the camera goes around in circle a 3 people talking on the beach on a sunny morning. What baffles me is they managed to not cast a shadow of the camera operator on the actor when the sun is behind them. By the looks of it, the camera operator was in ankle deep water too for part of it.
Then the camera travels to the other end of the beach, does the same thing around another group and goes back to it's starting point on the beach. Pretty cool cinematography, all natural light since the camera does several 360. Maybe there was someone holding a reflector to bounce some light back in the shadows but looks really natural. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that scene.
Watching this makes me consider to think about the type of lens to use. It shouldn't just be, oh! I want this focal length because it's cool & cinematic!. It's insane how everything here is carefully planned and thought out.
Your shot analysis is an eye-opener with regards to story and filmmaking. Often camera tells subtle story and you pointed it out.
Your review, however, has overlooked the point of the story and stuck on subplots which you considered unbelievable but with that logic anything and everything can be defied.
The small island is created to concentrate deeply on the presence of religious mongers and the bad effect of self-righteous and superstitious community. The addition of Muslim person provokes the unwelcome nature such cult. Vampires are added so that it can be shown how blind a person can he in their faith and how they made (sometimes, forced) to believe in miracles instead of rectifying our sins and making effort to love and help each other in their daily lives.
You totally missed the point.
Totally agree. Missed the point.
Plus, the fallen angels were basically described exactly like vampires. So, even though the view were assumed, it’s a vampire, I think Mike Flanagan wanted you to also believe the possibility of a fallen angel. I replied to a user above, with a really good comment from someone named. Bard who explained it very well.
Wow, amazing what amount of fine cinematography can be put into just shots of two people talking. Thanks for the analysis.
This cocktail of ideas is my thing!
I was waiting for someone to make a video on this specific shot. Thank you.
I really like your channel. Great stuff amigo.
Loved your breakdown. Just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication to these videos.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Great análisis!!
This cocktail of ideas is 100% my bag so I looooooved the series 😏 but I'm also coming from the same context Flanagan is; I'm an atheist raised Catholic. I wasn't an alter boy like him (alter girls were still not allowed) but I went to Catholic school and my life was DOUSED in Catholicism: all the ideas, every ritual blessing Father Paul says, the traditions, the repetition of Jesus's body and blood, the "fact" of what the truth of the universe is because it's Church dogma. End of discussion. If anything I thought there wasnt enough chanting prayers. 1 Our Father? 0 Hail Marys? I wish my penance from confession was that short, I was usually assigned 5 Our Fathers and 10 Hail Marys. But my whole life until I was 15-17 I struggled like Riley since I didn't buy it. All their belief monologues-- I had those in my head repeatedly. Someone might picture a snapshot of a teenage girl being her jamming to alternative rock in her room. Mine is me sitting on my bed staring at nothing deep in the back and forth Riley's subjected to.
Sorry parts of it don't translate to non-Catholics! My friend called to ask me questions about how taking the Eucharist is treated and what it fully means. But hoooo this was made for me INSTANT CLASSIC MASTERPIECE 🤍😉💙💚🧡
Your analysis: I didn't realize lenses made a visual 'distortion' or allowed you to present the same scenario but give it a different meaning. That's pretty dope. I really liked your side by side comparisons-that was so effective
Wow WowWOW!!! I never thought about framings before. Thank you very much for this breakdown
All is good.. But ur disappointment with all the world problems in a village ..is a simple explanation that creator chose the core theme as religion and wanted to make it on a budget ...That's not a disappointment ..its an achievement
Thankyou for taking my suggestion into consideration..
Thanks for making this video! It's really got me thinking about camera angles!
Also, camera angles and vampire angels. Somebody had to say it
the analysis is interesting and might be completely accurate, it made me think of certain things... I was thinking that if we were to apply a camera framing technique to everyday life (with our eyes in exchange for the camera), the act would seem similar to astrology or numerology by attributing deeper significance to the 'physical positioning of other people' relative to 'our position', especially given we often end up standing or sitting semi-randomly wherever it's convenient or someone left a chair
There is a more normal version, where we look at people's body language and posture, which can reveal deceit, hostility, openness, etc... this is especially true between an intimate couple... but, (borrowing from 3D applications) I would call that 'local' position, and for example Midnight Mass's camerawork as 'world' position... anyway, I suppose what made me think about all of this: I wonder how receptive humans are to associating emotions with camera framing techniques, (even though I'm sure it's used in many arts to tell stories, and by directors like Stanley Kubrick), personally I think it still usually feels empty and counter-intuitive when I look at 'symbolic camera framing' in TV or movies
Very interesting perspective!
Amazing 🔥 ty for this
Nice video
Good show
You missed the deeper meaning if you think it’s about a vampire
Totally
Love our videos! A future video idea would be to explore Korean cinematography. Squid Game, Train to Busan, Parasite, even Sweet Home. I'm always crazy surprised how GOOD their cinematography is for all budget levels of Korean cinema. They must be doing something different than we're doing in the US. Even their B shows have better camera work than in the US. .... I would love to know why???? Their approach must be different than how Hollywood approaches camera work?
After Hill House and Blight Manor, I'll watch everything Mike Flanagan creates. I didn't like Midnight Mass as much, but it certainly looked great.
Awww yeah baby, lower that boom. Now I see all the words coming out of your mouth. Great vid.
Great analysis. The focal lengths change was something I wouldn't have noticed by myself. I also totally agree with your commentary on the show at the end of the video.
I really liked the series. Especially how it ended. (No sequels please. Leave it alone.)
My biggest issue was casting. I almost gave up watching during the first two episodes because I kept asking, “why did they cast young people to play old people?” And, “Boy these young people suck at playing old people!”
Then as they got younger I was less irritated.
I much prefer when they just find older actors who play the older roles of younger characters. That way you tend to avoid the stereotypes of old people - shuffling feet, creaky voices, and inexplicable southern drawls - that we got in heaps with Midnight Mass. 🙄
Well, they'd have to cast a bunch of actors for each character then, because we see all these characters slowly de-age throughout the episodes. I'm fine with the young actors in old makeup since there was a reason for it, even if it was a bit awkward early on when they were at their "oldest".
Top angle = God’s eye view
I hate the camera work in this show. The shakey camera work was so nauseating I had to turn it off half way in to episode 2. I dont watch horror to nauseat myself, too bad because I heard this is really good if you can physically watch it.
Shaky? Huh?
Shit, it's a religious movie.
There was some great cinematography in Midnight Mass, but the long drawn-out monologues killed it for me.
I just had to watch it and it is one of the most boring shows to watch. The premise and the story is awesome but I have no idea how they could make it so boring. You could basically cut out 70% of the dialogue and it would have made it. It's like Netflix is trying make enticing story boring because you know, they want to make a show where nothing will be lost if you turn your gaze away for 30 min to chill. This show it a total chill trap.
You just outed yourself as a smooth brain. 🤡
I really didn’t like this show. the worst thing is the makeup of the eldery woman, You just know immediatly she ll come back young. the horror doesn't exist so the long monologues are for its own sake
I loved it.
This show was fluff. Watered down. Filler talking. So slow. A couple jump scares. Cheap thrills