Filming a Scene from David Fincher’s Se7en (on a Budget)

What if you wanted to recreate the style, lighting, and multi camera setup of a scene in David Fincher's movie Se7en?

In this video I breakdown how we planned our version, lit the scene, where we placed cameras to match Fincher’s style, whether using the C700 over the C200 was really worth it, and I’ll show you the final short film scene at end.

Special thanks to Intellytech for providing lights for us to use and funding this project.

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📱FOLLOW CALEB ON SOCIAL MEDIA

[PhillipRPeck]

Hey, I totally appreciate the intent, experience and knowledge imparted in this video. There is a lot to learn from. I also think it is interesting to hear your perspective regarding using the two cameras and how the full frame camera was more of a hindrance in this instance. I think one major difference between your scene and Finchers's, is that yours is over lit/overexposed. I wonder what it would have looked like without the big source outside, if you had just used natural light, dimmed the light or diffused it more. And maybe just used the practicals, without supplementing with the off-camera sources. It would have been interesting to see an alternate scene with only natural light and practicals. I totally get how you guys are working with a 3-man crew and limited time/budget, etc. so this isn't a criticism, just observations

[PaulKretz]

I haven't felt much of a recreating here at all really. But such projects are always interesting no matter the result. The BTS information is useful. So thank you!

[DIYCameraGuy]

I shot a feature a few years ago. it was a small crew so I did all the lighting, camera op on a short jib while pulling focus, that was a good time.

[Photographicelements]

The Fincher starts wide, then moves to medium shots as the scene develops, then sends on close ups of both Brad Pitt & Morgan Freeman, at the escalation of the scene.
Fincher saves the closeups for the end, giving them more meaning, and giving you a chance to connect to how the character is feeling. Your story is good, but it loses emphasis when the close ups are used too soon. <my opinion>
I look forward to more scenes.

[anmolk]

hey, this is good to see. Another thing ive noticed in fincher's filmography is the camera movement and tilts. They are precise and calculated like 5:15 the tilt was too late, fincher tracks the face and it feels as if the facial performance is properly visible. But anyway good effort

[taters]

Sorry if I missed this, but what was the rationale for having that window open? For me it really kills the wide shot of the 3 talking.

[Milan-cfxe]

I think the brown/earthy color scheme in the set design is missing for the Seven look.

[ClockWiseProds]

Very cool project, Caleb. I'm not a techie, but I do agree with you that the quality of the camera and footage isn't the most important thing, AND: Audio is HUGELY important. I wish I could understand the actors better = some of the dialogue is "swallowed". Thanks for sharing your experience. (Nina)

[fredrm]

I'm a fan of the Crimson engine but my god his lighting is odd like way too bright for a daylight scene. I mean who in their right mind likes blown out windows?
5:11 that shot just kills the moment, too slow
5:30, 5:41 who did the editing, her hands just disappear in the next shot.
Also its in 4k why is he sharping the image more it devalues the image.

Yes I know i may sound harsh cause it was a three person crew but consider this though if a professional were to look at the scene getting an Impression of mistakes on screen then you already made them lose interest. Details matter. Though I do appreciate the effort I still think you guys did an awesome job with the project. Much love.

[hciperson]

This video is packed with film/ camera industry domain knowledge, nice min-course to to let the knowledge solidify.

[StereoChimps]

great stuffs !! i just have a a question on how you filmed the scenes on diffrent angles, did you film one whole scene with the câmeras in a position, than cut, than Change the câmera positions and than do the whole dialogues scene again with the actors ?

[rathuone]

What is bit rate of your camera u film? 12 bit or 16 bit

[JDdr]

The actress is actually fucking convincing, though she obviously lacked enough prep to get into character. The guys on the other hand, god knows they where trying, but they kinda sucked in the end, no offense.

[ivanDS]

Dim the light use black flags and under expose

[filmingguy]

For this expensive and time consuming setup you need your own script