The Alexa M was used for some remote and extreme handheld work, using a custom-built backpack holding an external recorder, its batteries, and a wireless transmitter. The cameras used in Birdman included the Arri Alexa and, for the handheld and Steadicam shots, the Alexa plus. A 2 nd AC would also follow the operator for some shots to spot necessary camera moves. He personally operated the camera for many handheld shots and relied on veteran Steadicam operator Chris Haarhoff for Steadicam shots, working with him and directing him in real time to better capture the improvisational production of the film and respond to the actorвЂ™s movements and unpredictable natural lighting. The cinematographer has become well known for his intense handheld shots, and Birdman was no different. Shooting and combining these takes were assisted in the mobility of the Steadicam, which Lubezki employed throughout filming.

They realized for the more difficult shots, visual effects would be needed to help with the transition. By plotting and practicing each long take, the filmmakers were able to figure out how and where they could hide their shot transitions, as well as get anВ idea of where to stage their actors and place their lights. It was there that IГ±ГЎrritu and Lubezki blocked out each shot, playing BirdmanвЂ™s jazzy, drum-based score in the background to help set the tone. James Theatre-where Birdman is set-was built in Los Angeles before filming began. A proxy set resembling the labyrinthine backstage hallways of the St. How did the Birdman team (Birdteam?) pull this off? With lots of practice. Even a single one of these takes would be considered a daunting and possibly unnecessary task in a production. According to Lubezki, most shots are around ten minutes in length with the longest take around fifteen. While the film used camera tricks and illusion to make Birdman seem like a two-hour-plus single take, it still involved several long shots that are incredibly difficult to film in a practical setting. For the most part, it was successful, and is considered a major factor in BirdmanвЂ™s considerable award season praise. This was achieved by combining several long takes and making their transitions as hidden and seamless as possible. In fact, Lubezki and writer/director Alejandro GonzГЎlez IГ±ГЎrritu worked very hard to make Birdman seem like it was shot entirely in a single, continuous take. Like Gravity, and other films Lubezki shot, including Tree of Life and Children of Men, Birdman is known for its long takes-single, seemingly unedited shots of several minutes or more in length. Lubezki had won the year beforeВ for the stunningly shot Gravity. The Cinematography award went to the filmвЂ™s director of photography, Emmanuel Lubezki, giving him a record-tying two Oscars in a row in the cinematography category. Earlier in the ceremony, it had already picked up Oscars for Best Screenplay, Best Directing and Best Cinematography. By the end of this yearвЂ™s Academy Awards, Birdman winning Best Picture wasnвЂ™t much of a surprise.

What is cinematography in film oscar