How Wes Anderson Paints With A Camera
Well…
The Oscars happened.
I won’t go too in-depth on this year’s Academy Awards, as I’m sure everyone is extremely tired of talking about it. There is another thing that should be taken away from The Oscars this year, however, that lies deep beneath the shadow of Will Smith’s palm: the countless number of movies that got snubbed. The most egregious example is the lack of nomination of Denis Villeneuve for Best Director, because his work on Dune was incredible. Another film was also noticeably missing this year, however, and that was Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, which came out this past October.
The French Dispatch is a very unique movie. It’s an anthology that tells three short stories, each representing an article written in the final edition of The French Dispatch, an American magazine stationed in a small town in France. This movie is beautifully crafted, and it truly gives you the sense that you’re reading a magazine. The execution, storytelling, and music are all masterful… but nothing compares to the cinematography. The visuals of Wes Anderson have always gone above and beyond. He incorporates a lot of art and design techniques to visually appeal to his audience and tell a clear story.
Why is this important?
Because Anderson is using techniques from another medium–in this case, the design and concept of a magazine– to successfully create visual media. The transfer of ideas from one artistic medium to another is rare, but it can lead to some very remarkable results. It’s such a specific use of style, to the point where it feels as if each frame is a hand-painted work of art.
So… what techniques does Wes Anderson use in his cinematography that have allowed his style to be so visually stunning?
The style of Wes Anderson
The principles of design used in Anderson’s films that are probably the most prominent are symmetry and balance. These can be witnessed in almost every shot in his movies. Everything is centered, and everything is even.
Wes Anderson also tends to use the concept of emphasis in his cinematography. Let’s say, for example, there is a scene taking place at a restaurant. Some films might have a server with a tray pass by quickly in a shot without much focus. Anderson will have a very long take following the entire process of delivering said tray, with the food in the center of the frame the entire time. Why? Because it draws your attention to every aspect of what’s going on within the scene. He can put emphasis on seemingly mundane moments in order to enhance the storytelling and engage his audience visually.
This sense of emphasis is also enhanced by his use of foreground/background elements. Some shots will include commotion in the background and a dialogue-heavy conversation in the foreground. Why include such chaotic moments? Because it draws the eye to every corner of the frame. It truly adds to the sense of creating a “painting” with each shot. He also implements these chaotic scenes to be more efficient. It’s much more interesting for two things to be happening at once, and it doesn’t waste time with the inclusion of multiple shots for each moment.
Lastly, a technique being used more in his recent movies is contrast - specifically between color and black & white visuals. This can be seen most recently in The French Dispatch, in which the black & white scenes represent text on the page of the magazine, and color represents the images or quotes within the articles. The best part about this technique is the lack of explanation. It took a while for me to even notice this aspect of the movie, and it added so much to the concept.
How you can translate art and design principles to other mediums
Sometimes it may seem as if these techniques can only exist in the world of art and design, but this isn’t the case. As proven by the beautiful cinematography of Wes Anderson, design principles can be utilized in many different ways. Any creative outlet can benefit from their inclusion, no matter the medium. It doesn’t even have to be visual. Emphasis, contrast, balance, and more can all be applied to what you're trying to accomplish creatively. When stuck in a creative rut, look to places you wouldn’t expect for inspiration. Music, writing, movies, and even the work of your peers. Try to focus on the elements used to achieve success in unique ways, and learn from the techniques that are used to help influence your own creativity in the future.
And finally… movie recommendations
Although Anderson’s entire catalog of films is worth a watch, here are my top 4 picks that I think perfectly exemplify his unique style of filmmaking…
The French Dispatch (2021) - Currently on HBOMax
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Isle of Dogs (2018) - Currently on Disney+
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - Currently on HBOMax