Rough Cut
What Documentary Filmmakers Can Learn from Narrative
Mar 9, 2023
The podcast discusses the visual style of the Oscar-nominated documentary 'All That Breathes' and how it stays true to its style in documentary filmmaking. They explore topics such as the human-animal relationship, editing process, and knowing when to stop filming. The chapter also highlights the impact of the editor on the film's tone and the challenges of editing documentary footage.
21:49
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Quick takeaways
- The filming style of 'All That Breathes' evolved to provide a visually stunning film, utilizing cranes, tracks, and dollies to reflect the contemplative and meditative nature of the story.
- The deliberate choice to drop the audience into the lives of the characters without extensive context or information allows viewers to immerse themselves, access the brothers' minds, and engage in intelligent reflection.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Filming Style
The director, Chinak Sen, reveals how the filming style of 'All That Breathes' evolved throughout the production. Initially shooting handheld, they later scrapped six months of footage and shifted to a more fluid and beautiful aesthetic, employing cranes, tracks, and dollies. This decision was made to reflect the contemplative and meditative nature of the story, focusing on the lives of the brothers who run a bird hospital in Delhi, India. The deliberate change in filming style required choreographing blocking and camera movements, resulting in a visually stunning film.
