Succession: How The Camera Lies
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- #succession #videoessay #cinematography
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This is a video essay on the cinematography of SUCCESSION on HBO. Let's break down how the camera tricks you into thinking it's all reactive & loose, when in fact it's extremely calculated and precise.
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00:00 - Intro
00:24 - Visual Distortion Field
00:51 - Thesis
03:07 - Channel Support Is Appreciated
04:11 - Creating Spontaneity
04:26 - The Freebie
06:12 - Shot On Film
06:34 - Roger Deakins Influence
07:33 - Free Pizza
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The camera feels like another character, like we are one of those silent minions who surround the family and our presence goes unnoticed for them
Apparently for the iconic water bottle throwing scene in the ‘safe room’ episode, Matthew Macfadyen told one of the cam operators where he would be grabbing the bottle, to which the operator got frustrated and refuted the information, just because he wanted to discover the moment IN the moment of shooting it, so it would make the cam move feel more naturalistic. So cool.
he literally pulled a ‘Tom’ right there, oops
I wonder if either of them had the good sense to contact a Tombudsmen afterwards?
One thing that really helps create a sense of spontaneity is that they intentionally never anticipate an actor's line. Whenever a character starts talking off screen they pan over to them reactively as if they didn't know they would start talking, like a weird version of a J cut.
this is so accurate. you can hear whole sentences at times and it doesn't even pan over to them until like you said in a super late movement. one of the beautiful things is that each character has a very recognizable voice too, so that adds to the effect
They mix it up though. The camera behaves like a person in the room following the conversation. When you're observing people speak, you sometimes anticipate when someone is about to take their turn. Your gaze turns to them before they start speaking. The camera does the same
@@stryfe2000turbo all of these comments make so much sense! I’ve never thought about this stuff, and it’s amazing when it’s spelled out for me like this. Thanks, folks!
@@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin my same exact thought.
That shot at 2:30 is amazing, camera zooms into Tom as if to focus on what he's saying, then shifts the focus to the heads turning in the background, so naturalistic. 👌
What I love is how Jesse Armstrong unashamedly wears his past hits on his sleeve with this. The quirky, nonsensical quips come directly from his work on Peep Show, and the camera work is directly influenced by The Thick Of It/In The Loop. But finding out that it was shot on film is utterly mindblowing.
Succession shot at my job this year and one of the things I thought was SO cool about the cinematography is that they had like 4 or 5 camera operators shooting at once, all bouncing around as kendall was talking. It was so neat seeing how they get their shots, I can't wait to see the scene they were doing!
I'm so curious which scene?!
@@celinavincent I actually think its gonna be in tonights episode! The previews keep showing my venue so I’m hopeful :) its on a stage in a theater!
@@MaxCaulfield watching it after it aired, I’m guessing it’s where the presentation for the investors was?
@@sanderappel4499 yep!! all the stage scenes for Living+ were there! I was right backstage as kendall was giving his "big big shoes..." speech LOL
@@MaxCaulfield So cool you got to be there! Wow!
originally i hated that cinematography style for the show. it felt like i was watching the office. but after 1 episode of the show it’s nothing shy of amazing and it works perfectly. it feels super real and authentic.
I’m a doctor & know absolutely NOTHING about formal cinematography/film production, etc.-but I’m an enthusiastic #Succession fan (among other shows) & find this so so fascinating-there’s so much more that goes into all of this to create the product we expect, & I am thankful that so much heart & talent goes into literal art as entertainment for us who need this to survive chaos at work, etc.
I work at an NGO and I agree so much with that sentiment about entertainment helping us survive chaos at work. It's fascinating and humbling.
I always keep an eye of what Jess, Karl, Gerri, Karolina and Hugo. They tend to reveal a lot by their reactions of pretty much any situation.
Karl has become one of my favorite characters - pencil neck Hugo is great too
Shooting on film adds that polish to this creative masterpiece. The color palate differentiates better here than in most TV shows and movies. I’m tired of the washed out monotone look of many visual dramas nowadays. Absolutely hate it.
Succession is an acting, writing, directing, cinematic, musical masterpiece. The film helps a lot to make it more vivid and real. I’m going to miss this combo.
easily my favourite show on TV at the moment
without a doubt
Great video! I think Succession is one of those shows that I'll rewatch everything again and again. The feeling is that there are always small and tiny details that we just don't pick on the first round.
A fantastic video! Would definitely appreciate if you could go into some specific scenes when the whole season ends, for example, Shiv’s smirk while sipping champagne on the airplane.
When I watched that scene for the first time, I spontaneously screamed out WTF because how absolutely perfect that scene was. The Zoom in at the exact right moment, no hesitation, the lighting outside of the airplane shifting and casting different shades on Shiv’s face, and then Sarah’s nuanced performance… And ALL OF THESE different departments, crew members, GENIUSES, work together to nail the perfect timing and cinematography for that smirk to work. It’s truly marvelous.
definitely won't be my last video on succession. i want to dive specifically into the reaction shots and how the actors have better dialogue when they don't say anything verbally. it's wild. as an experiment i cut S3's finale down to facial reactions only and you still understand everything that happened like a silent film. will dive into it more by the end of the series. thanks for watching!
I not so secretly hope that the show is simultaneously producing a BTS series that will be gifted to us at some point.
One analysis video talks about how the camera acts like a third person in the room, looking in on people and reacting. The docu series style could be one thing, but The other video talks that sometimes the actors sometimes react to the camera angle focusing in on them.
Brian’s interview says a lot. Sounds like they hardly even do the operator take anymore. Which is interesting. Probably was more loose earlier on. Now it’s pretty clear how planned and orchestrated it is. Just think of how they cut to facial reactions.
The "third person in the room" is not always moving or fidgeting, which is how 95% of the scenes are shot. Sometimes even the eyes of the third person doesn't move. For me, the handheld approach to shooting is unfortunate, the producers and directors should have been more discriminate in the use of the handheld method, it took away so much from the powerful emotions in many of the scenes.
@@palerider2890 Thanks for sharing. I think it's what makes the show work, not sure it even works at all without the camera work as it is.
@@impatrickt Impossible to know what it would have been like if the camera was not always jittery handheld. For me, there were many moments of being annoyed by the camera jitteriness, it made me too aware of the camera work which took away from immersing totally into the characters' psyche and the emotions of the scene.
You helped me understand much more about what I'm seeing. I never re-watch shows, but will gladly re-watch every Succession episode. The music is amazing too!
the music is so good
Your knowledge of cinematography and how it plays out on a great TV show rackets up my already considerable pleasure in watching it. This video is like the exegesis of a novel or poem; it evokes fresh excitement, dialing up my level of enthusiasm for the art of visual storytelling.
Thank you, Sarah!
This was interesting to me and I especially enjoyed it b/c my recently deceased son, (yup, 48 w Covid) who worked in film used to thrill me with explanations like this. The most interesting tidbit he ever both told, and proved with an example once on set, is how an actor sometimes has to say and act their lines without the actor to whom they are speaking to in the finished scene, actually being present on the set, and this too often without a stand in. Once you learn these things you do pay attention to a lot of stuff like this but I usually do it more when I re-watch something. I have to say though, I did not like the more constant 'black and white' aspect of Succession as much as you do. I like more color and I thought the lighting overall in Succession was generally poor. I also like scenes to stick around a few more seconds so I can take in all the background and see what the other characters are 'up to'. Like in Season 4, Episode 6 of Succession, a reviewer mentioned a line Tom used which correlated with Roman hanging out of a car. I never 'caught' Roman in the background doing this; maybe the reviewer was referencing another earlier episode I do recall when Roman did; I'll go back and see later. Anyway, this was quite interesting and thank you. It brings back fond memories and will give me enjoyable future viewing experiences.
Very sorry for you loss. Thanks for sharing that and watching. 🙏
I think the visual style in the pilot episode was even more radical. They toned it down a notch, but I think in service to the story
I always thought that succession looks like a polished more serious pompous version of the office. And this camera work is so damn hilarious because of it.
Not saying it's bad, it's freaking AMAZING. It's just that I get this feeling when I'm watching succession that one day Michael Scott is gonna show up and annoy the hell out of every Roy (except Roman of course 😂)
I've heard them talk about the way they film it. Most scenes are basically like a theater-in-the-round stage play where the actors are told what to say and where to move, but the cameras move through the scenes in different ways until they get the shots they want. It's both highly calculated AND improvised. Really brilliant stuff.
it used to be that way - signs lately point to the opposite. i think once they got confident in how they wanted it to look and move they started to really perfect it.
They also shoot 45 minute scenes
Excellent job! I can't learn enough about this show. Appreciate your keen insights.
Just a great analysis Patrick and great edit as well. Thank you!
killer analysis thanks for breaking it down. I recently got into this show and was sad i didn't get to it sooner.
THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLAINATION!!
can't wait to watch this later fella - you know I've been asking for your take on this gem!
🙏
These techniques were already used in: Thick of It, In the Loop, Parks and Rec, The Office, Reno 911, VEEP, people like us, and many more.
Who said otherwise?
The creator of Succession worked on three on the shows you listed: The Thick of It, In The Loop and Veep, so he was definitely inspired by them
Very educational. What an awesome video. This is my favorite show of all time, and I love finding out what makes it so good.
the youtube algorithm gods brought your channel to my attention. you are amazing. new subscriber
appreciate it! thanks for watching.
Excellent episode about a truly brilliant series. One thing I noticed about Succession was that they also chose lenses that weren't always perfect. There were several times I noticed cat's eye bokeh in some shots. Often used in moments where the character in the shot was by themselves and contemplating. Which, like you pointed out, was probably very intentional. I'm a little bummed that they're running the final season. Great job, Patrick.
Ok, i just got why I love this show. SO MANY EYES, SO MUCH EXPRESSION.
The thing I related to the most in this entire video was the guy struggling to get his sock on.
It’s every day. 😤
Excellent video! You stirred interest in things I didn’t know existed. I love it!
I love your appreciation for this show. I couldn't agree more however I wouldn't have been able to articulate this the way you did.
🙏 thanks for watching
This is one of the absolute best shows I have ever watched. The "boo souls" scene with Tom and Greg is perfection.
dude I was hoping you'd talk about this show, so good.
Fantastic analysis, mate.
Just found your website, will be checking out more of your videos. I really enjoyed your analysis - it will make further watching of Succession even more intriguing than it already was.
cheers carolyn! thanks for watching.
Thank u for this! We dont talk about the blocking in this show enough! It's sooooooooooooooo brilliant!!!
100% agree brother. I said that the other day watching that the cinematographer has dialed the show in like no other.
Great video. Not sure if there has been a more beautifully, originally shot TV show ever.
hard to argue with that!
Incredible work here my man
Great analysis. Love it.
thanks patrick. this was great.
Excellent info here for a show I love. Thanks!
Awesome breakdown. Thank you, Patrick.
thanks for watching!
They also does a lot of matching the really beautifully coming oranges/shades of red with usually quite dark blue/black/grey so the color get's contrast when it's coming out. Like in Company Men there isn't as much of that so it looks just a bit too orange in some shots.
As an scene example of something so little that does a lot and was shown here. A scene in the Norway episode where Ken is on the phone with Roman and the glow of orange from the bathroom is contrasted beautifully with the dark blue wall that cuts the lightsource and the wall off into two sections in the background. Then also the shot isn't too dark for exactly two light sources aka the big windows on the other side of the scene where the shot then moves to get more light on Ken's face.
Great video, Patrick.
Great fuckin video dude. I had to look into what was the deal with the visuals a few weeks back because it felt special. The rhythm of the shooting is intoxicating and its definitely not reactive but its in sync with the emotions of the characters and scene. Its masterful.
Brilliant. Thank you
1000% true! ... this might be the best show right now! I really like the true organic doc-style! ... camera work is so great, oh and the look & feel ...just pure magic ...also I really like that it does not look lit so to say... almost looks like all "natural light" or/and lit by practicals... story and cast is awesome too. oh and also shot on film ... hell yes!
Hi, I'm new to your channel and really thrilled about it! Thanks for the video, enjoyed it a lot!
thanks for watching!
Very well done sir.
Hi there… You say something like: “they’re making cinematography decisions even in post which is unlike any other tv show right now” This is where you are dead wrong! This kind of work is being done independently by professional editors on EVERY show and film you see all the time - EVERY day. Of course every show is created differently but most of them collect huge amount of footage for each scene. Footage that can always be moulded in a thousand different directions in post. In fact the huge amount of footage is often made to be sure to have as many options as possible.
Editors always work behind the scenes to make everyone look the best and the story to be told the best possible way. editors help The actors be as great as they can (cut out all the less great performances), the cinematography (choose the right size, the right move, the right take, cut around all the less great moves or unmotivated pans), the scriptwriter (very often remove unnecessary dialogue, pretty often restructure parts of the story, and add new lines to patch up wholes in plot or emotional arcs - editing is the final rewrite of the script), music (figure out where the drama needs an extra dimension, give precise indications to the composer where to get in and when to get out) etc etc etc.
I think from your comment you show that you have a huge blind spot in your knowledge of filmmaking - I would love if liked into the hidden powers of editing - maybe in succession which is as greatly cut as acted, shot, directed, written etc.
All the best P (pro editor for almost 1/4 century)
I think you're over analyzing what I said. Every show/movie has coverage, but do you not agree that coverage and angle options here drastically contrast a typical film? Let alone any other TV show which maybe has 2 cameras tops and without the budget to do as many takes as Succession does. Of course camera decisions are done in post - but not like this. Even Fincher splices multiple angles together in one frame for a "perfect" shot, not to mention all his reframing. Sometimes a quick sentence is taken out of context so I apologize that I didn't elaborate. Thanks for chiming in!
Hi @@impatrickt Many shows will have about the same amount of coverage and shoot all setups w multiple cameras too - nothing special there. Fincher using multiple takes in one frame and similar tricks happen often too. It’s just not every filmmaker who needs to talk about this. Especially editors are typically shy people who silently make magic behind the curtain. We are the silent film power. I speak from experience 😉
@@persandholt I'm sorry I'm not disagreeing with you - I just think there's more variables at play in Succession than your typical sitcom. As someone who has to edit stuff shot on sticks vs stuff shot on handheld, both with insane levels of coverage - the handheld docu style includes WAY more variables to how you frame a scene in the edit to sift through. That's what makes Succession admirable imo. It's how it all comes together to seem effortless.
Dope video. All I know is, the show has been LIT, since Logan Roy has passed. It's been amazing since that moment !
Nice job Patrick. Just subscribed. Hope to get more content from you. I'd like to understand why, for the most part, TV content today from HBO is so far superior to the other streaming giants.
Thank you! I think the short answer is they have a lot of money and really great taste in quality because they've been doing it for so long.
Wow amazing thank you!
I don't own a TV. I always watch everything on my (sizable) monitor. Which always was sufficient. But lately shows like Succession, House of the Dragon and Beef have made me resent that I didn't have a massive TV to watch them like a cinema. So that's next on the shopping list.
Cool run down! Thanks! ❤
Notice how almost every single character has a stuttering type of communication when they talk? Meaning no one ever has a clear precise answer or they never talk in confident complete sentences outside of the father and the Swedish guy? 😂
I thought I was the only one no one ever answers yes or no they talk all this jibberish have to watch twice so I don't miss anything excellent show
YT algo recommended this video to be, presumably because I have been watching BTS videos about Succession. I loved your informative video so much I excitedly subscribed to your channel. I look forward to learning so much more from your videos. Thanks for taking the serious time needed for this quality production.
Thanks for watching!
Great breakdown. Subbed.
thanks!
Wow! Thanks for the great analysis (and without falling into the trap that so many others do of trying to copy Tony Zhou’s entire style 😂) The first one of your videos I’ve seen, and I immediately subscribed!
thanks, Rick!
Well done.
Nice work on this presentation about Succession-it’s my favorite show… but it got me thinking, with such precision etc in the camera work-Long story now-
okay I’m a background actor in NYC. In Season 2 the final episode, at the very end when Kendall is speaking in front of all the reporters about his father being horrible, etc., I was spontaneously asked to yell a question to Kendall (which is an actors mythological dream come true but actually happened!!!) I was super excited and I was sitting in the very first row of reporters and in the exact center… while We were filming and before the AD asked me to do a line, which really is a huge leap in an actors life and you get a screen credit and decent bump in $$$/anyhow I started considering the camera is directly behind Kendall and that would mean his head is blocking the view of me! Lol Sure enough in the final cut, you don’t see me sitting there and only see me for a second walking with everyone after he finishes speaking. Then, after I told a million people to watch for my very first line on a huge show like this, my line was cut…& you don’t really see me 😭 (although I made it in the meme) but you do see the back of MY head when Logan is watching from the yacht and from his viewing perspective it is the back of my blonde head! Hehe AND I was still paid for the line and i also GOT MY FIRST SCREEN CREDIT! So my question is, why did they ask me to say a line but you never actually see my face-throughout the entire speech? Just got me thinking-ideas? Oh and at the end when is lists costars, I am Reporter #2 Sandi Bergen! 🎉
Because they didn’t want to see you. There was no reason to see who said it it was a press conference. Even real press conferences you don’t see people in the crowd.
Congratulations! Still a cool story and I'm sorry your line was cut!
@@rachelbryant6127 thanks! It was so amazing and surprising!
If you get a chance, can you dive into the visual look of the Your Honor on Showtime with Bryan Cranston? I don't know what it is about that show, but the way it looks and the colors are just incredible to me.
great video except I'm barely on ep 3 of season 4 so the spoiler didnt help lol new to the channel, it's great to hear the insights of the shots taken. This show is so good and seeing the explanation of some of those little things as a viewer we dont pay attention to just makes me enjoy it even more.
HBO got beaucoup bucks. They spent so so SO much money. Made a great show. It will hold up in 25 years.
Well stated!
OMG, awesome channel. Subbed.
thanks for watching and welcome!
A lot of these DP techniques were pioneered by Steven Bochco in the early 80s with St. Elsewhere. A few years later, NYPD Blue came along and set the precedent for the cinematography and blocking you/we see in Succession.
Love NYPD Blue.
@@impatrickt , me too! and Succession is one of the best things around. So many talented people working not just in front but behind the camera, and in the writing room.
Thanks 👌👏
Thanks!
🙏
Masterful
Nice 👌🏻🎥
Thanks you for your insights, i usually focus on the dialogue/script quality, I'll take more notice with what we have left or even re-watch the series. On thing i do find a little frustrating is the ineptitude of the key three characters, I've met the Murdock's,(whom there characters are loosely based) all of them are very smart people, operating at a serious level, these guys behave like lower/middle managers at a modest size business in a fly over state. That said, as we see in the world today with increased political blindness and prevalence of the Dunning Kruger effect i could imagine some people being this ignorant at this corporate level.
You are an excellent articulate speaker and writer. well done.
Thanks Kevin!
Very interesting and informative video.
By the way, is intentionality an actual word?
im not sure but it sounds cool?
agreed on all this; if only the storyline could be less repetitive
I don't watch TV, so I'll just take your word for it, Patrick. I see my Jake Sully-shirt comment from your last video must have flustered you, so you tried to be sneaky & cover it up with your button up in this video. Don't be bashful! Let that Big-Daddy energy radiate out into the multiverse, homie!! I'm digging the new credits music; hahaha, I forgot to mention that in my last comment when I went to edit.
I also read that it was partially based on the Danish movie Festen. It's interesting to see the similarities.
yes! Thomas Flight has a good video that shows the comparisons.
Maybe I'll have to look again, but this form of camera shot with zoom in and wiggles, something I saw a lot of in The Office. Its great here too, if a bit too weirdly engaging.
i think the difference is that the office is set up as a mockumentary so they talk to the camera and such, succession is weird in that its not a mockumentary but its filmed like one
Hey man, can you do the same for "the office" I think they did a good job with the cinematography as well. While the script was* fun too!
I’m actually thinking about doing one for Seinfeld 😂
@@impatrickt Seinfeld video will be amazing, waiting for this from now❤
@@impatrickt oh yes. One of my top 3's! Seinfeld. Yes please.
And if you've got time, I'll be eagerly waiting for your breakdown of the storytelling of DARK! Someday.
I love the office's cinematography in season 2 and 3, it has some cool use of the camera as a character and has some striking shots (Pam leaving the office after her phone talk with Jim in season 3 is amazing), but I feel like there's really nothing to say about the cinematography in later seasons. It's so bland and unimaginative
Love the outro! Is there a link to buy the song?
it's from epidemic i don't recall the name though sorry
@@impatrickt hey! Thanks for replying, Patrick. I have time on my hands - maybe I’ll be able to find it with that info. 👍
I know nothing about visual media production. Except what you just explained. I might even start watching tv again. Seems suspension of disbelief may not be required after all. I just can’t buy most of the stuff I try to watch any more.
Having said that, you’re a fantastic teacher. 👏👏👏
I feel the gravitational pull of a rabbit hole sliding up behind me…
@@impatrickt WOW. I’ve never heard of epidemic. I thought you were talking about a group. What an amazing tool for you!!!
… and into the rabbit hole we goooooooooooo 😁
What microphone are you hand-holding in this video? It's neither of the Rode mics in your "My equipment" block. (Is it?)
Shure MV7 usb
Camera can lie, but mind blowing actors can´t.
An Arrested Development kinda serious version.
Best HBO has done? Westworld is amazing, scripts and screen. But the more I think about it, until you pointed out the composition of each shot, I hadn’t considered it. The Succession style has been around since Hill Street Blues.
westworld looked pretty bad by the time S3 rolled around. but id also give it to True Detective S1.
Hi man, found you from twitter - Great Video, but with invluding a sponsor and such a big topic, i think its a bit too short!
It’s far too long in fact. A good 6 minute video is perfect.
I still need to watch this show lol
"Masterful" is the word.
I noticed that try to keep Greg small or normal height compared to other actors. I think that guy is giant but they try to make him appear of normal height.
this is done a lot - watch any Tom Cruise movie, the dude is short but you'd never know it.
Are you editing in fcpx? Or resolve?
i use FCP!
I love the look of film, I hope filmakers continue to shoot in film. It's just the best color...subdued, natural...do you have an example of digital? I don't know what's shot on digital.
95% if not higher of what you're watching these days is shot digital. The Batman was digital.
@@impatrickt interesting…do you know of Euphoria on HBO was digital?
I guess now that you point it out, that sort of makes sense. everything does sort of look ubiquitous and Succession stands out. Hmm let me think if I can now reflect and come up with something that is recent and is on film. But don’t tell me.
@@impatrickt hmm, I wonder if Moonage Daydream was shot in digital or not. It def has a film look to it
Holy cow, I had no idea that it was shot on film. I don't know what advantages celluloid cinematography brings. Maybe it gives the actors a more intense sense of 'acting before the film runs out', and cameramen to pay more attention to what they are shooting. But frankly speaking, I like the handheld shots half of the time, and the other half of the time, I found it annoying - the jitteriness often took away from the emotions of the scenes and what the actors communicated. The "documentary look" is not always the way to go.
Even little no budget films - one 5 min scene will take forever - actor here
absolutely it's crazy.
Absolutely _love_ Succession. Sarah Snook's hacky improve style? Not so much.
I was actually in this scene it was amazing to watch them work
very cool!
@@impatrickt I'm the black guy reporter to the left
@@quiverfullproductionsllc congrats that's awesome!
whats the song at 1:00?
no idea
Niceee
Funny watching a video about a television show, and enjoying it, learning a few things, when I haven't *watched* television in roughly 20 years. I can't stand commercials, and I don't have cable, so ... ...
Fuck. I came in not expecting to be spoiled of anything because, well, I'm stupid. Had to stop at 5:16 so I'll come back later when I finally catch up. 😂
Zooms an focus pulls can be done in post dummy
these are optical zooms. it's very easy to tell the difference because of the bokeh change.
So much fun a show with all these camera angles! Everything in this show is repetitive each episode
Me likey film stock