Breaking Bad's acting and writing get most of the credit for the show's success, but not too far behind is the series' underdog cinematography, which transforms the life of Walter White and the landscape of Albuquerque, New Mexico into works of art.
Part of what makes the show such a visual treat are the many point-of-view shots from inanimate objects. The directors of photography on Breaking Bad will stick a camera on or in almost everything, whether it be the end of a shovel, the back of a soda-fountain machine, or of course, the classic back-of-the-fridge-from-behind-the-old-jar-of-mayonnaise view. You can argue the artistic importance of each shot (was giving us a Roomba's eye view of the aftermath of Jesse's party really necessary?), but you can't deny that they look really cool. The series' directors of photography, Reynaldo Villalobos and Michael Slovis, deserve tons of credit (apologies if I missed someone else).
Thankfully, someone with more time on their hands than me took the time to compile these artful moments into one YouTube video.
What do you think? Are these types of shots worth the trouble? Do you have a favorite shot from Breaking Bad? I have to go with Don Eladio falling into the pool, which I previously remixed with the breaking of some "glass."
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what is that background music???
Move by Jonathan Elias!! You're welcome! =)
Besides off course the great directing of photography, an excellent compilation and a great choice of background music. It really feels as a part of my life when seeing this clip and remenescing over the past four seasons. So kudos to the creator of the compilation as well.
AMAZING....
Shovel-cam is my favorite.
I loved the...bear? falling down to the pool following Don Eladio's death too.
Honestly, Breaking Bad uses this often, every episode I'm just waiting for a "POV" which are always nice and it's different and the big shots of the beauty that is New Mexico ( well, at least ABQ ) which is something Directors don't use much in TV, but in BB you ( or I ) don't feel constricted into a little universe like in other shows. Those little shots expand the world and thats one of the reasons I love BB. I hope someday I get the chance to visit ABQ because I fell in love with that place thanks to BB.
There's something about watching Gus refilling a drink from that POV that I really like. I can't put my finger on it, but it's lovely.
Michelle MacLaren rented a crane twice to get shots from 180ft above that were less than 10s long.
So much work goes into getting those shots too. They will spend days setting them up. The every wall panel in the superlab was removable.
These shots are part of what makes the show so great. So much TV seems like a technical exercise that this kind of stuff is refreshing.
I think these types of shots are more than worth the trouble because they give the show its own unique look. While, yes the landscape shots of the desert are beautiful, these artistic shots are really what establish the phenomenal cinematography. My personal favorites are Don Eladio falling into the pool, Jesse desperately searching for the ricin cigarette, and of course, the shovel cam.
I think these shots are very much worth the trouble, and part of what really gives "Breaking Bad" it's unique "look". Be critical. We (mostly) all agree that this is the best show currently on TV. We also all know, though, that this is not the only "artsy" and well-crafted show ever to air on TV, but still, this show does not look like those. Why? Because of shots like these. For my favourites, I have to say I love the Roomba shot, the pool shot is great, but the unique shot of the bunch is indeed the shovel cam.
Yes, #33 from your top 100 list. You know, the picture so badly butchered that I threatened to have whoever did the hack job moved to covering OWN !! "An actor is only as good as the tools he's given." In this case.....Top shelve, Maserati, Da Vinci, F.L. Wright, O. de la Renta, Ansel Adams, and on!! If only 1 in 10 production companies took the care and feeding of their produce to this level awards, might mean something now.
Awesome with a capital AWE!!!!
They should hang a 50 inch flat-screen on a wall in the Louvre and have this montage on a constant loop.
That comment made my day.
Agreed! And my opinion should count double since I have a degree in Art History:p
Fantastic video. Writing, acting, music, cinematography and characters make BB. Next video should be about the excellent landscape shots throughout the show.
Jesse panicking while looking for the ricin cigarette, just awesome
The transition from the plane explosion to Don Eladio falling into the pool (starts at 2:26) is a pretty fantastic edit.
Nothing beats the shovelcam.
Nothing.