Birdman and the Secret of ‘Continuous’ Takes

The Film Theorists take a look at how Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar-winner Birdman achieves the feel of being shot in one continuous take (when it wasn’t).

If you’re interested in other truly long take films, check out the opening shot of Orson Welles’ 1958 thriller, Touch of Evil or Alexander Sokurov’s 2002 film, Russian Ark which is the real deal: shot in a single 96 minute Steadicam take.

Benjamin Craig

Benjamin Craig is an award-winning filmmaker and chief executive of Cinemagine Media Limited. With a career spanning theatre, film, and new media, his credits include Waiting for Gorgo and Sparks and Embers. He is the author of the Cannes and Sundance Festival Virgin's Guides and has written for Vogue and GQ. Based in London, he is also the founder of filmmaking.net and holds a Masters in Producing Film & Television from Royal Holloway, University of London.

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