How Denis Villeneuve Shoots A Film At 3 Budget Levels

Great directors are capable of creating and maintaining very deliberate cinematic tones. This is true of Denis Villeneuve.

In this video I’ll look at three of his films at three increasing budget levels, the low budget August 32nd on Earth, the medium budget Sicario and the high budget Dune to unveil the formation of his style and identity as a director.

Source: American Cinematographer, October 2015
Source: American Cinematographer December 2021

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Skygaze - 'All Those Dead Tunes'
Joe Sunrise - 'Material'
Hackslash - 'Before You Go'
AK - 'Fernweh'
Bosnow - 'Sea Cruise'
Some Were At Sea - 'Sailor'

0:00 Introduction
0:57 August 32nd On Earth
4:27 Sponsored Message
5:21 Sicario
10:14 Dune
14:32 Conclusion

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[oniriscope]

The man supposedly took a 10years pause from filmmaking to stop craving fame and because he considered he had not enough life experience to make films.
Lived 10 years of civil life like an everyday person his wife was the bread winner then came back and look at all the masterpieces he brought with more maturity and humbleness.
The man & the director forces respect.

[LycanVisuals]

I'm so happy Dune is getting a part two. Seeing it on an IMAX screen was incredible, and what a flex loving a book so much that you actually get to direct it in the future. I'm very thankful for Villeneuve, Nolan, & numerous others.

[IndySidhu]

Villeneuve shoots everything with that indie filmmaker attitude which his why his films often blend overall quality with the film' magnitude and scope. Dune even felt huge and epic at the same time it was also feeling like all the directorial styles of Villeneuve' previous work.

[robertobuatti]

Could you please do John Carpenter's filmography, been a huge fan of his work since I was a teenager in the 90's and would love to see how he dealt with Filmmaking at different budgets and how Halloween was one first films to use the steadicam from what I've researched and how it revolutionized Filmmaking which has been the norm for over 40 years.

[Dr_Kubrick]

The influence of Deakins and Villenuve was so evident in Sicario when part 2 just didn't have any of the impact of its predecessor.

[loganwelty]

My all-time favorite film director. Every BTS video I can find of his work is a treat!

[badfaithnomination]

This will be the first time I can actually say I’ve seen the director’s entire filmography! Probably my favorite working today ❤️

[butter_nut]

After accepting Dune as part of a whole story (it doesn't have a finished storyline), I'd say it is my favorite movie.

[madbrain]

I love that you’re doing this series because it inspires aspiring filmmakers and shows them that you can do a lot of cool and interesting things without a huge budget.

[yetanotherbassdude]

Had never considered the desert angle with Villeneuve, but on top of all his other experience it really hammers home just how perfect he was for Dune. Great breakdown as always!

[dakuru]

how can you not like the work of this man

[erinaldo]

I love the way you use those circular sound waves during interview excerpts in all your videos but here they work especially well as an Arrival reference lol

[Nkanyiso_K]

Sam Raimi would definitely fit into this series pretty well

[sachaleduc]

Denis Villeneuve's collaborator André Turpin is also a very influential cinematographer and director in Quebec. He's also a big collaborator of Xavier Dolan, who directed Mommy. Would be very interesting to have a Cinematography Style: André Turpin one day!

[zachhorn]

This is a great series idea - would love to see this 3 budget levels concept for Fincher

[josephasghar]

Fascinating, as always. Villeneuve always delivers thoughtful and immersive films, so thank you for the technical walkthrough.

[allthingshollywood]

Never heard of "August 32nd on Earth", but it looks pretty unique and fun. Btw, Dune is one of the greatest cinematic experiences of my life!

[mistahslugg]

man, denis villeneuve and panos cosmatos are by far the most talented directors of this generation. so stoked for Dune pt 2 :)

[Gambitheart]

The most important aspect of Villeneuve films are the stories he writes the scripts are heartwrecking always.

[Mitolism]

The amount of technical detail in your videos is amazing and as a First AC is what I find most interesting haha. Thanks for your research and attention to detail. Shocked that I learn more from your videos than from some American Cinematographer articles lol