David FincherDirector
The young Fincher loved to draw, sculpt, take pictures and tape record, but after watching Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid he was inspired to make films. Fincher decided to skip film school, instead he got a job loading cameras for John Korty of Korty Films. In 1984 got the chance to direct an advert for the American Cancer Society. The advert put Fincher in the spotlight and many companies hired him to direct their adverts and soon enough he broke his way into music videos. In 1992 Fincher made is feature debut with Alien 3 and it began with a great start but also great pressure as at the time it was the most expensive film ever made by a first time director. Fincher fell back into the music video world, until his second film and major success, Se7en, in 1995.
As a director Fincher is renowned for one thing, creating a very dark atmosphere in his films and this is what I want to achieve in my film. Fincher has been a large influence for me because of his outstanding ability to create an strong atmosphere through use of all a films' elements. This ability has inspired a number of different techniques I now want to achieve in my film.
Low key, high contrast lighting is a particular trademark of Fincher's work. The harsh shadows give the effect of danger around every corner and is clearly influenced by German Expressionism. I will incorporating this technique because the darkness adds a heavy atmosphere that heightens tension; which is what I am trying to achieve. Blue /green colour temperatures are very apparent in his work as well and they add an unnatural feel. If possible I would like to implement this into my film through the use of fluorescent lights. Fincher’s most impressive camera work is that of the Fluid Tracking Camera, a digitally enhanced technique that allows the camera to access anywhere, developed by himself, Kevin Haug and BUF Paris. The best example of this is in Panic Room as the camera flies around the 3
story building never seeming to cut for almost 3 minutes. While I cannot use the digitally enhanced method I would like to create a disconcertingly long shot that seems to access somewhere that it should not be able to as it disorientates the audience and therefore builds tension and keeps them alert.
While I believe Se7en is Fincher at his best, it is the atmosphere created in Panic Room that has been more of an influence to my piece as it is a dark, tense atmosphere without the disturbing element to Se7en.
Darius Khondji
Cinematographer (D.O.P.)
Darius Khondji is Fincher's go to guy for cinematography but has been the Director of Photography for many other dark films such as The Interpreter and The Beach.
He became interested in film as a child and made Super-8 films in his teens. He moved to the United States to study at the age of 19 and majored in film from New York University and the International Center for Photography. Two of his teachers there influenced his decision to become a cinematographer as he realized that he "wanted to do was shoot the other students' films".
Khondji and Fincher work well together as they have a similar vision of what they want. The visual style of Fincher's films owe a lot of credit to Khondji as he focuses purely on the visual aspect while Fincher has to concern himself with all the aspects to the film. Again it is the same elements I want to use that were described in the fincher section as they work very closely together and it is impossible to know who was the brain behind each bit.
Michael Giacchino
Composer
Michael Giacchino is an American Soundtrack Composer who has composed several multi-award winning scores for many popular movies, television series and video games. Giacchino's work covers many fields, from children's comedy Ratatouille to fast paced action Mission Impossible III.
His inherit ability to capture exactly the 'right' sound for the situation is inspiring. His work in the television shows Lost and Alias are my favourite, as Giacchino very effectively adds a lot to the tension through slow crescendos, eerie strings and thunderous brass.
Youtube Example
Because of the effect I have seen can be created purely with sound from Giacchinno it has made me be much more ambitious with my plans for the sound and while a live orchestra and full score isn't possible, I will be working to create a similar epic feel and strong tension through the facilities that are available.
