Denis Villeneuve shared that he doesn’t allow cellphones on his movie sets, a rule he shares with Christopher Nolan. Both Villeneuve and Nolan are well-known filmmakers of this century, and they have a lot in common, including making movies that feel huge and epic.
Villeneuve’s top films include Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, and his Dune series. These movies have received amazing reviews thanks to Villeneuve’s hard work and the dedication of his entire team.
Denis Villeneuve shared with the Los Angeles Times that he doesn’t allow cellphones on his movie sets to help everyone stay focused. He explained that making a movie requires teamwork, and it’s important for the entire crew to stay present and avoid distractions. You can read his full comments below:
Advertisement Making movies is all about being fully present, It’s like a painter focusing on every brushstroke or a dancer perfecting each move. As a filmmaker, you work with a team, and everyone needs to stay in the moment, listen, and connect with each other. That’s why I’ve banned cellphones on my sets from the start. It’s not allowed. When I say ‘cut,’ I don’t want anyone checking Facebook or getting distracted.
Villeneuve explained
Villeneuve responded to the false rumor that Christopher Nolan banned chairs on his sets. He admitted that while filming Dune, he and his cinematographer, Greig Fraser, chose not to sit during work. Here’s what he had to say:
I hadn’t heard about that before. But when I worked on Blade Runner, I had back pain from sitting too much. So, for the Dune movies, my cinematographer Greig Fraser and I decided to stand. We wanted to move quickly, stay energized, and keep the blood flowing. No chairs for us—maybe just for the producers at the video station.
Denis Villeneuve And Christopher Nolan Share Similar Filmmaking Methods
Many directors use new technology to tell their stories, but they agree that cellphones can be a big distraction on movie sets. Christopher Nolan is one of the most vocal directors against using cellphones. He doesn’t even own a smartphone and doesn’t let crew members use their phones while filming. Nolan believes cellphones distract people and stop the crew from doing their best work.
Read More: Christopher Nolan Praises ‘Dune: Part Two’ As A “Miraculous” Adaptation
Keeping cellphones off movie sets helps create amazing films like Inception, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer. Villeneuve’s films, like Dune and Blade Runner 2049, also show how this rule can lead to great results. Staying away from phones seems to boost the crew’s focus and creativity. So, the no-phone policy used by Villeneuve and Nolan makes a lot of sense.
The rules Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan use on their sets clearly work since their movies get so much praise. Even though many people depend on their phones, taking a break from them can help you stay focused on what you’re doing. For the crew working on Villeneuve and Nolan’s films, stepping away from phones probably helps them fully focus and feel proud of the movie they’re creating.
Source: Los Angeles Times