Christopher Nolan on Low-Budget Filmmaking

This video interview of Christopher Nolan has been floating around the 'net for the past week or so, and I thought it'd be about time to repost it here myself:

I have been a fan of Nolan's since I saw Batman Begins (like everybody has, I suppose), but in this interview, he talks about what it was like to make a "no-budget" film in the UK, where he's from. He talks about how there was an Indie filmmaking movement going on at the same time in the United States, but that not much was going in the UK. He worked a job doing corporate video and sound work, and made a 16mm film "Following" on the weekends with his friends. Shot in black and white on a shoe-string budget, Nolan discusses some of the money-saving techniques used in this film that have influenced him to this day, such as placing the actors near windows so as to use the natural light, and to save on lighting costs. He discusses many more workarounds in the interview, so if you've just skipped over the video (yes, I know it's 26 minutes long, and you're busy, but if so, what are you doing on my blog?), I'd suggest you stop reading and take a looksie.

Looks like even the pros still use simple tricks to achieve their epic visions.

Disclaimer

I like movies.

I like mostly everything about movies, from the story to the editing, the music, to the art direction. I can't remember a time when I didn't like movies.

The reason I needed to get this out (at 3am!?)  is because I am going to see Christopher Nolan's new film, The Dark Knight Rises, with my wife and a few friends at the IMAX theater this evening, and then I will write my thoughts here on this blog. But first things first.

Christopher Nolan rarely misses. In fact, of his (relatively) short filmography, I can't see one bad film. Now I use the term 'bad' loosely, because, of course, every film has its quirks, its moments. But that's besides the point. Christopher Nolan is good. In my opinion (which everyone is entitled to), he is one the best film directors out there right now. Nolan  is mentioned in the same breath as Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson, and is practically a household name. He puts the story and its characters first and foremost in his films, and then complements them with stunning visuals (ala Inception). I wouldn't see The Dark Knight Rises on anything but IMAX the first time around. (And you know what? I am actually looking forward to the new Superman movie, Man of Steel, simply because Christopher Nolan had a hand in writing the story).

I feel like I needed to get this out because I like movies. I enjoy plunging into the world of the film and seeing how it all unfolds.

With that said, stay tuned for my review.