The Wes Anderson Effect: art direction’s importance in big films
The best films are always those that rely on more than just good storytelling to communicate value to the viewer. Lighting, props, music, and characters are all imperative when making a great film. Creating a world, you can get lost in is what holds weight in a viewer’s mind. Whether in television, music, print, or cinema – art direction is the catalyst that takes something good and turns it into something extraordinary.
Film director Wes Anderson, known for his quirky, charming filmmaking method, has developed a trademark visual style that works exclusively for him but has inspired artists, directors, audiences, and even a New York Times best-selling book. Anderson’s dreamlike sets can make daylight robbery look graceful. The use of symmetry, compass point editing, and well-coordinated colour palletes provide a storybook-like momentum to his work that consistently drags viewers into the world he’s created. Anderson’s style allows adults and children to appreciate his films on a fundamental level without feeling out of place or detached from the overall story. This unique visual approach has stamped his incredible influence on the world of cinematography. Here are five of Anderson’s classics and how his art direction made them so powerful.
5. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Art Director: Carl Sprague
Set Decorator: Sandy Reynolds-Wasco
In this Wes Anderson flick featuring Royal Tenenbaum, the father of three child prodigies, his house or “Manor” is the story’s focus. Naturally, placing an entire movie in one area, it becomes challenging to maintain the audience’s attention, especially without sex, murder, or at least one misplaced mirror scare in this day and age. Yet this is where Anderson thrives. The Tenenbaum household has rooms designed to mirror the diverse taste and flair of each of the children in the story. Precise colour coordination is what makes a Wes Anderson film great. Depending on each scene, he manipulates the art direction to connect with each character, emphasise plot events, and provoke an emotional reaction from the audience. This tactic of using the environment to force a bond with strangers on screen is one of Anderson’s greatest strengths.