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Skyfall Cinematography Discussion


117 replies to this topic

#1 x007AceOfSpades

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 06:17 PM

After some off-topic posts in the Thomas Newman - Skyfall topic, I took the liberty to have any cinematography talk be in here to not flood the other topic with unrelated posts.

Didn't see any discussion topics like this. So, discuss away.

#2 Vauxhall

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 06:23 PM

I will start this discussion with the following statement... From what I've seen so far, the cinematography in SKYFALL is the best of any Bond movie. Discuss.

#3 QOS4EVER

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 06:31 PM

haha x007AceOfSpades we actually created the need for such a topic :P

#4 x007AceOfSpades

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 06:44 PM

It was necessary.

I agree Vauxhall, I believe getting Deakins was a perfect choice. What we've seen with pictures, clips, trailers etc, I'm blown away at how beautiful the film looks.

#5 TheSilhouette

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 06:53 PM

It's absolutely incredible. If it weren't for all the Oscar bait and being a Bond film, it'd probably be getting some attention from the Academy.

#6 PPK_19

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 07:24 PM

The cinematography for QOS wasn't too shabby but i agree, its obvious to us who have followed the production closely that Deakins knows what he's doing and he's doing it damn well.

I'm particularly looking forward to the Shanghai tower scene. The shots that Greg Willams captured in Bond on Set of the flickering blue lights are sick. Lord knows how it's going to look in the motion picture!

Edited by PPK_19, 10 October 2012 - 07:25 PM.


#7 delfloria

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 07:48 PM

The richness, framing and composition of the shot's in the released footage is extraordinary to say the least. Even the simple shots of the Aston driving the Moors and the Jaguar parked in the rain are spectacular. Should be an Oscar contender.

#8 Vauxhall

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 08:02 PM

As its Roger Deakins, I'm sure the Academy will give SKYFALL a look to gauge its cinematography. Would love to see him nominated, but obviously he has the stigma of being a Bond movie to overcome! I think he has an extremely good chance of earning BAFTA recognition though.

#9 x007AceOfSpades

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 08:03 PM

The one thing I loved about the cinematography in QOS was the establishing shots throughout the film. IE: The shot of Bond driving the Aston Martin into the bunker to question White. Lake, The Eco Hotel which is my favorite. However, It seems as if Forster and Schaffer sat down and watched some Bourne films and went "That's how we're shooting QOS!"

Deakins is a master of the art of cinematography, and I'm actually excited that it's being shot in Digital. The one sequence I'm really looking forward to is the Lodge scenes.

#10 univex

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 08:18 PM

Why oh why haven´t they released a cinematography blog with Deakins explaining the layers and the different use of colours, his use of long shots, ...?

And I agree with Ace, I´m dying to see those shots at the lodge. That helicopter approach was awesome.

#11 Satorious

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 08:35 PM

Hopefully we will get one of those 30min sit down chats with him talking purely about this film. That would be awesome!

#12 x007AceOfSpades

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 09:25 PM

Best part yet, seeing it in IMAX :D

#13 QOS4EVER

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 09:51 PM

To say I disagree with the choice of Deakins would be an understatement!
I remember counting down the minutes left for the launch of the Skyfall teaser on 007.com . Expecting a trailer that was more Beautiful than Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace (If that were ever possible!). I still remember how dissapointed I was with everything the gimmicky techno, the downright depressing suits,as univex puts it "The TinTin Hair :P" and mainly the cinematography
My main problem with Skyfall is how badly the colour is done, Its not smooth and its uneasy to the eye


Posted Image
The Orange is just disturbing IMO


Even the bellow picture is just plain ugly

Posted Image

And Another one , The Eve scene


Posted Image

When I first saw the bellow scene I was shocked! After getting two classy previous enteries in the series ,why would they use such neon lights,It just doesent fit with a Bond movie

Posted Image





Now take Quantum Of Solace on the other hand
Everything is presented in a very classy Manner,No matter the movie is 4 years old , you visti it again , it still feels elegant sophisticated and classy. It Doesent feel dated


Posted Image


Posted Image


Posted Image




Posted Image



Posted Image

Posted Image



http://imageshack.us...01023h28m36.png


Do you see How much more beautifull it is!

#14 The Dove

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 09:56 PM

My two cents worth.... the cinematography in Skyfall is definitely going to outdo Quantum of Solace... The lights and signs of the the Shanghai sequence already do so over Quantum which was mostly a dry, boring desert and a colorless city of El Paz...Can't wait to see the Yan'an highway shots!! :)

#15 The Shark

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 10:05 PM

To say I disagree with the choice of Deakins would be an understatement!
I remember counting down the minutes left for the launch of the Skyfall teaser on 007.com . Expecting a trailer that was more Beautiful than Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace (If that were ever possible!). I still remember how dissapointed I was with everything the gimmicky techno, the downright depressing suits,as univex puts it "The TinTin Hair :P" and mainly the cinematography
My main problem with Skyfall is how badly the colour is done, Its not smooth and its uneasy to the eye


Posted Image
The Orange is just disturbing IMO


Even the bellow picture is just plain ugly

Posted Image

And Another one , The Eve scene


Posted Image

When I first saw the bellow scene I was shocked! After getting two classy previous enteries in the series ,why would they use such neon lights,It just doesent fit with a Bond movie

Posted Image





Now take Quantum Of Solace on the other hand
Everything is presented in a very classy Manner,No matter the movie is 4 years old , you visti it again , it still feels elegant sophisticated and classy. It Doesent feel dated


Posted Image


Posted Image


Posted Image




Posted Image



Posted Image

Posted Image



http://imageshack.us...01023h28m36.png


Do you see How much more beautifull it is!


Wow. Just wow.

#16 x007AceOfSpades

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:01 PM

This is one of my favorites from the teaser.

Posted Image

Posted Image


The helicopter approaching the lodge as Univex mentioned.

Posted Image


This scene I'm looking very forward to seeing in IMAX. The angle, the lighting, etc
Posted Image


This is a great one. I love how the audience are able to focus on Bond, and the destruction/chaos in the background as it sets the mood perfectly. Also, love the ROT in this scene.

Posted Image

There is a major difference in terms of style, atmosphere, and direction between QOS and Skyfall.

I'm loving Deakins approach to Bond.

I'm just ecstatic of the Yan'an Highway being in the film.

#17 iexpectu2die

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:20 PM

To say I disagree with the choice of Deakins would be an understatement!
I remember counting down the minutes left for the launch of the Skyfall teaser on 007.com . Expecting a trailer that was more Beautiful than Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace (If that were ever possible!). I still remember how dissapointed I was with everything the gimmicky techno, the downright depressing suits,as univex puts it "The TinTin Hair :P" and mainly the cinematography
My main problem with Skyfall is how badly the colour is done, Its not smooth and its uneasy to the eye


Posted Image
The Orange is just disturbing IMO


Even the bellow picture is just plain ugly

Posted Image

And Another one , The Eve scene


Posted Image

When I first saw the bellow scene I was shocked! After getting two classy previous enteries in the series ,why would they use such neon lights,It just doesent fit with a Bond movie

Posted Image





Now take Quantum Of Solace on the other hand
Everything is presented in a very classy Manner,No matter the movie is 4 years old , you visti it again , it still feels elegant sophisticated and classy. It Doesent feel dated


Posted Image


Posted Image


Posted Image




Posted Image



Posted Image

Posted Image



http://imageshack.us...01023h28m36.png


Do you see How much more beautifull it is!


QOS4EVER, are you actually Marc Forster? I can see no other plausible explanation for your undying affection towards all things Quantum Of Solace. Skyfall is quite clearly, from the little material we have so far, a much more aesthetically pleasing film than QoS.

#18 univex

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:22 PM

Well, the neon fits Shanghai and is very Blade Runnerish. I, for one love it. The cinematography in QOS was good, too bad about the editing that never let us enjoy it properly, but that is an already beaten track. Of course cinematography is much more than colour, it´s composition and movement dinamics, it´s how a frame indulges the depth and how the focus interconnects with shadows. It´s a very large array of goodies that end up on screen for a split second or a large shot. Deakins is a master in all of this. He sometimes borderlines the experimental, but, nonetheless, he is a genious with the camera. I´m loving everything about SF so far, suffice to say that the cinematography is my favourite part so far.

Oh, and about the tintin hair @Ace, no genious with a cam could fix that ;)

#19 Vauxhall

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:29 PM

I have no major complaints about the cinematography of QUANTUM OF SOLACE; in fact, it may well be my second favourite Bond film in that respect. There are some tremendous locations and it's very pleasing on the eye for the most part. However, I still feel it trails SKYFALL substantially in terms of the creativity and composition of Deakins' shots. The cinematography is undoubtedly in my top five things to look out for and look forward to in SKYFALL. We're very lucky to have someone of Roger Deakins' calibre working on the Bond franchise.

#20 JimmyBond

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:38 PM

I have no major complaints about the cinematography of QUANTUM OF SOLACE; in fact, it may well be my second favourite Bond film in that respect. There are some tremendous locations and it's very pleasing on the eye for the most part. However, I still feel it trails SKYFALL substantially in terms of the creativity and composition of Deakins' shots. The cinematography is undoubtedly in my top five things to look out for and look forward to in SKYFALL. We're very lucky to have someone of Roger Deakins' calibre working on the Bond franchise.


I think they're both great looking films, I haven't seen anything that makes me think: "Wow this one is better than that one." I do however think they both outdo Casino Royale though, I never could get behind the look of that film. Still enjoy it though.

#21 Matt_13

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:40 PM

I like the digital grading in Casino Royale. It works.

#22 Vauxhall

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:55 PM


I have no major complaints about the cinematography of QUANTUM OF SOLACE; in fact, it may well be my second favourite Bond film in that respect. There are some tremendous locations and it's very pleasing on the eye for the most part. However, I still feel it trails SKYFALL substantially in terms of the creativity and composition of Deakins' shots. The cinematography is undoubtedly in my top five things to look out for and look forward to in SKYFALL. We're very lucky to have someone of Roger Deakins' calibre working on the Bond franchise.

I think they're both great looking films, I haven't seen anything that makes me think: "Wow this one is better than that one." I do however think they both outdo Casino Royale though, I never could get behind the look of that film. Still enjoy it though.

CASINO ROYALE actually has one of my favourite establishing shots of the whole series, with the sweep across the Venice cityscape as the yacht enters the Grand Canal. However, apart from the scenes in Venice, I find that the film's a bit hit and miss in that respect. Admittedly filming an extended card match isn't the easiest thing in the world though. I'd put it in third place cinematographically for the Craig era, but still hugely above average for the franchise as a whole.

#23 JimmyBond

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Posted 10 October 2012 - 11:58 PM

I think Peter Lamont's set design doesn't really work for the film either. I know it was a big deal when Forster didn't ask him back, but I was actually relieved when he apparently "retired."

#24 Vauxhall

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Posted 11 October 2012 - 12:06 AM

Interesting you mention production design, as I was about to make a separate point about Dennis Gassner. It's noticeable that he's been on board for the past two movies, although I expect he was largely persuaded to stay on for this film due to the fact he'd be working with semi-regular collaborators Mendes and Deakins. However, he seems the sort of character who the producers might be able to persuade to span a few movies. He's obviously a bit of a character but his enthusiasm in some of the video blogs is infectious and he seems to have a real passion for what he does. I didn't make much of the techno-MI6 in QUANTUM OF SOLACE, but there are quite a few sets for SKYFALL that I think he appears to have done a great job on - MI6 bunker, Macau casino, Shanghai office, Silva's base. Definitely wouldn't mind him reappearing in future.

#25 The Shark

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Posted 11 October 2012 - 12:16 AM

The gold standard of Bond cinematography for me will always be Freddie Young's work on YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, though I have no doubts that SKYFALL will impress. I think the problem with Robert Shaeffer's work on QUANTUM is that it aspires to be shot anamorphic (Shaeffer wanted to use the Hawk Lens, but the post schedule was too tight, since anamorphic takes longer for DI and VFX work) but the Super35 format kinda lets it down.

#26 00Twelve

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Posted 11 October 2012 - 12:43 AM

The gold standard of Bond cinematography for me will always be Freddie Young's work on YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, though I have no doubts that SKYFALL will impress.

You beat me to it, brother. Agreed, verbatim. Freddie Young is the man to beat.

#27 QOS4EVER

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Posted 11 October 2012 - 05:58 AM

This is one of my favorites from the teaser.

Posted Image

Posted Image


The helicopter approaching the lodge as Univex mentioned.

Posted Image


This scene I'm looking very forward to seeing in IMAX. The angle, the lighting, etc
Posted Image


This is a great one. I love how the audience are able to focus on Bond, and the destruction/chaos in the background as it sets the mood perfectly. Also, love the ROT in this scene.

Posted Image

There is a major difference in terms of style, atmosphere, and direction between QOS and Skyfall.

I'm loving Deakins approach to Bond.

I'm just ecstatic of the Yan'an Highway being in the film.



I just dont see whats so beautifull in this direction. IMO There's nothing classy or elegant about it. but yet I see alot of you defending Deakins. I honestly beleive that the pictures of QOS I posted looks better than this in every aspect, I just hope it looks way better in the cinema!

#28 delfloria

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Posted 11 October 2012 - 07:17 AM

It is a little unfair to be comparing the entire film of QOS against what only appears in the trailers for SF. But having said that, what little there has been of FS released it is still heads above QOS in it's compositions and content. The shot of Bond on the roof overlooking London speaks volumes compared to say the shot of Siena or the Green Planet party site.

#29 QOS4EVER

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Posted 11 October 2012 - 08:56 AM

I really dont Understand how people can actually say SF is better than QOS aestheticaly with all that distastefull orange,and there is nothing great about that London rooftop shot, the Eco Greene party and the Sienna Italy are easily way better than it

#30 Mr_Wint

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Posted 11 October 2012 - 09:12 AM

CR had a more gritty look combined with stronger colours. I prefer that over the QOS/SF look. Digital color correction to look stylish and artsy is the worst idea Hollywood has come up with recently. I sincerely hate the “Blockbuster” look á la Robin Rood (2010), Live Free or Die Hard, Terminator Salvation etc. etc. etc. They all look the same.