ROBERT R I CHARDSON I NTERV I EW | FEATURE
For example, Quentin knows every shot, he hands me a shot list every day. Scorsese lists every shot in the script prior to filming
LEFT Robert and his crane on the set of Inglourious Basterds BELOW From The Hateful Eight and A Private War
to have coverage. He knows precisely the perspective he requires. Quentin is truly a master of cinema. I have deep respect for Quentin, and love for him.” “When I was working with Oliver (Stone), he became a brother to me, we grew up together finding a path. I would outline the script completely. I had limited input in the beginning and more as time moved on. On Salvador and Platoon I would draw stick figures to help illustrate concepts I had and he would look at it, and say, “let’s use this, not this.” Oliver made the choices and decisions about the formats for JFK . There was so much research. Oliver was extraordinarily on point with that film.” CAMERA OPERATOR Richardson is famous for operating the camera and for sitting on the crane, as Tarantino amusingly mentioned delivering his speech to the ASC audience during the awards. “We do everything on the crane, we even do inserts of a spoon on the crane” he laughed.
lack of satisfaction with my work.” When I ask if directors rely on him to figure it out for them, he responds, “With most, no. For example, Quentin knows every shot, he hands me a shot list every day. Scorsese lists every shot in the script prior to filming. Marty was my first time experiencing that level of control. Although it is true that John Sayles knew precisely the length of each shot we did on both films that we collaborated on. He is economical in this manner because his budgets require this. He said while we were shooting Eight Men Out, ‘I only need him running from first base to second’. He had already edited the film in his head, he sees the whole movie.” “Quentin will have very precise ideas for shots as well. He’ll talk about them prior and on the day, he’ll say ‘these are the shots I need’ – somewhere between 16 to 27. Both Marty and Quentin primarily shoot single camera. Quentin has said to those who ask why he doesn’t shoot more than one camera, “I direct, I don’t select”. He is not going to put up five cameras just
MARCH 20 1 9 | DEF I N I T ION 51
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