April 17, 2021

Shot Talk – Mank with Dir. David Fincher & DP Erik Messerschmidt, ASC

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Summary

Today we’re extremely excited to share with you the latest addition of our Shot Talk interview series, featuring legendary filmmaker David Fincher and his incredible cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, ASC discussing their Oscar-nominated film Mank.

This episode has the kind of technical deep dive discussions that you’re not gonna get anywhere else, including the philosophy of black and white vs. color cinematography, detailed FX breakdowns on several important scenes from the film, and why Fincher avoids Steadicam at all costs.

Key moments

  • 00:01:13 How David Fincher Began Work on Mank
  • 00:02:51 Executing the Black and White Film Look on Digital Sensors
  • 00:04:30 Shooting Black and White Music Videos on RED Cameras
  • 00:05:45 Difficulties of Framing for 1.33
  • 00:06:43 Rewatching Citizen Kane for Reference
  • 00:08:09 Differentiating Kane and Mank Through Location
  • 00:09:25 Balancing Homage and Storytelling
  • 00:11:43 The Choice of Shooting in 2.20:1
  • 00:15:24 The Importance of Simplicity in Window Lighting
  • 00:16:33 Camera Movement: Fincher’s Preference for Handheld Stabilizing Over Dolly Track
  • 00:19:07 Using the Ronin for Shooting
  • 00:20:28 Scene Breakdown: The Paramount Writer’s Room
  • 00:24:32 Making Adjustments After the First Day of Shooting
  • 00:26:34 Perception in Black and White vs Color
  • 00:30:32 Fincher’s Creative Budget: Prioritizing Work with Actors
  • 00:33:46 Breaking Down the Tracking Shots in Mank
  • 00:35:56 Scene Breakdown: Louis B Mayer’s Town Hall
  • 00:40:04 Using 10K Lights in Daytime Exteriors
  • 00:43:05 Scene Breakdown: The Funeral Pyre Set
  • 00:47:28 Recreating a 1940s Movie Set
  • 00:49:28 Discovering a Movie as Its Made
  • 00:52:38 Scene Breakdown: The Writers Meeting Scene
  • 00:57:09 Shooting on Two Cameras for Practicality
  • 01:01:07 Scene Breakdown: Mank and Marion Discuss the Script
  • 01:03:16 Emotional Relevance in a Very Technical Scene
  • 01:06:57 LED as a Color Palette and Driving Shots
  • 01:09:45 David Fincher and Erik Messerschmidt’s Working Relationship
  • 01:11:40 Managing Manpower in the Camera Department
  • 01:15:54 Messerschmidt on Working with Fincher
  • 01:21:32 The Photography of Behavior
  • 01:25:53 Final Thoughts
Where to watch

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