White Noise with Noah Baumbach and Todd Field (Ep. 397)
Dec 20, 2022
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Noah Baumbach and Todd Field discuss the making of the film White Noise, touching on topics such as working with actors, benefits of collaboration, and offering physical direction. They reveal insights into the themes and stylistic choices throughout the film, including daily rituals, death, and mortality. The challenges and technical aspects of visually stunning scenes, such as shooting at a Boy Scout camp and a kitchen scene, are also explored. The podcast offers an intriguing glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of White Noise.
White Noise explores the idea that families can be a source of misinformation within a larger culture.
Noah Baumbach highlights the importance of involving everyone in the filmmaking process and fostering communication between departments.
Deep dives
The significance of families as a microcosm of culture
The podcast episode discusses the film 'White Noise' by Noah Bombock, which explores the importance of families as a reflection of the larger culture. The film follows the story of Jack Gladney, his wife Babette, and their family as they navigate love, death, and happiness in an uncertain world. The family serves as a microcosm of society, highlighting the idea that families can be a source of misinformation. The film delves into the daily rituals, routines, and personal mythologies within families, addressing themes of rampant consumerism, media saturation, and human-made disasters.
Challenges and collaboration in filmmaking
The podcast episode reveals the challenges and collaboration involved in making the film 'White Noise.' Director Noah Bombock discusses working with a larger team than usual, including a talented assistant director, production designer, and other crew members. Despite the challenges, such as putting a car in a lake, Bombock emphasizes the importance of involving everyone in the filmmaking process and fostering communication between departments. The podcast also touches on the recurring theme of family in Bombock's work, exploring personal mythologies, family dynamics, and the contrast between self-perception and reality.
Stylistic choices and visual storytelling
The podcast delves into the stylistic choices and visual storytelling of the film 'White Noise.' Director Noah Bombock discusses how he approached the different sections of the film in terms of style and tone. The first section focuses on depicting daily rituals and routines, presenting a sense of control and familiarity. The second section explores the looming presence of death, where Jack and his family confront their mortality. The third section revisits the familiar routines, questioning if they can still provide pleasure and meaning in light of newfound knowledge. Bombock explains how he used camera movements and shots to convey the characters' sense of control and the cacophony of a world that feels both familiar and different.
Director Noah Baumbach discusses his new film, White Noise, with fellow director Todd Field in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Baumbach speaks about working with his actors during the month of rehearsal, the benefits of working with frequent and new collaborators, and how offering direction that includes physicality can be helpful to actors.
The film unveils the story of Jack Gladney, his wife Babette and their family, who must grapple with the universal mysteries of love, death, and happiness in an uncertain world after their lives are upended by a catastrophic train accident that spreads chemical waste over their town.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/January2023/WhiteNoise_QnA_1222.aspx
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