Christopher Nolan is one of the most renowned directors today, with a powerful name that attracts many major Hollywood stars. According to statistics from The Numbers, Nolan’s filmography, featuring blockbuster hits such as Inception, Interstellar, and the three Dark Knight films, has generated over $4 billion in box office revenue, a staggering figure unmatched by any other director worldwide.
With such a remarkable track record, it is clear that not every actor has the opportunity to collaborate with Nolan or appear in his projects. However, even those fortunate enough to have experienced working with him often face many strict principles and the somewhat “different” habits of this acclaimed Hollywood director.
No Smoking and No Mobile Phones
Mobile phones and smoking are strictly prohibited during the production of Nolan’s projects – Image: Internet.
In a 2017 interview with Esquire, Christopher Nolan shared: “I started producing films in a time when no one used mobile phones on set, as people considered using phones unprofessional. Mobile phones can make us lose focus, and everyone works much more efficiently without them. At first, it will be hard, but it will help you concentrate better on your own tasks. Everyone understands this, and many production crews have to abide by my principles.”
Moreover, Nolan believes that using mobile phones during work, even just for texting or messaging, greatly impacts concentration levels: “You cannot just text someone while trying to focus on what’s happening on set.”
Kelly Bush Novak, Nolan’s representative, once elaborated: “There are only two absolute prohibitions on set: mobile phones (which are not always understood) and smoking (which is very clear).” With roles that require heavy smoking, such as Robert J. Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) in Oppenheimer, or soldiers in Dunkirk, this rule is strictly enforced within the confines of filming.
Nolan Prefers “Mind-Game” Actors
Actors must also overcome challenges in rehearsals in Nolan’s scripts – Image: Internet.
The films with intricate scripts have significantly contributed to building the reputation and brand of Christopher Nolan. However, not only do the viewers get hooked, but even the actors often feel overwhelmed by the concepts and the way the scripts are written by this director.
Sharing with IndieWire in 2020, Guy Pearce, who played “Leonard Shelby” in Memento, expressed his initial emotional response to reading the script: “I found the writing (by Nolan) quite complex. What I felt was an emotional journey of the character. For an actor, it is essential to do my job well. Other details just help clarify more when I directly work with Nolan.”
Similarly, Leonardo DiCaprio, who has experienced various script styles throughout his illustrious career, also had to bow before the “mind-bending” narrative of Inception: “What happened there? I just had to focus”, the actor emphasized during a podcast in 2020, “sometimes you only need to concentrate on your own character.”
Always Prioritizing Practical Effects Over CGI
Nolan once stated that he prefers using a real Boeing aircraft instead of using CGI – Image: Looper.
Christopher Nolan is famous for being an “old-school” director, meaning that for him, if any scene can be achieved with practical effects, he will not resort to the assistance of computers. This approach has greatly contributed to the success of many blockbuster films that Nolan has produced, providing audiences with a genuine experience and impressive visuals.
For instance, in the project TENET, Nolan executed “time-reverse” scenes entirely practically. The actors had to learn how to move, fight, and perform various actions in reverse compared to the natural movement of the environment. Additionally, he even “refused” to the extent of purchasing a Boeing 747 to film a plane crash scene. Notably, TENET only has around 300 CGI shots, a modest number compared to many contemporary blockbusters, such as Avengers: Endgame – which has over 2000 VFX shots.
Always Ready for a Great Scene at the Real Location
Nolan also emphasizes the realism in his works – Image: Internet.
Not only is he meticulous about the story content, but Christopher Nolan also places great importance on the visual aspect, earning him a reputation as one of the most distinguished filmmakers before and after the lens. Many of his projects require actors to wear elaborate costumes, such as Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) in Inception, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) in the Dark Knight series, or the main characters in TENET (John David Washington and Robert Pattinson). Even supporting characters in Dunkirk, played by Mark Rylance, Barry Keoghan, and Tom Glynn-Carney, also have to “dress up” no differently than supermodels on the cover of Vogue.
Always On Time and Very Passionate About Handheld Shots
 Nolan is rarely late during filming days – Image: Internet. |
From the films that Nolan has produced, it can be seen that he is a person influenced by time and the concepts related to it. Moreover, this director is someone who always emphasizes the importance of the hand-held shooting technique. He constantly finds ways to incorporate these iconic elements into his works, such as the Hamilton Jazzmaster Seaview Chrono Quartz watch worn by the main character in TENET, or the Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO model featured in this film; the CK2129 worn by Tom Hardy in Dunkirk; the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Taille and Reverso Grande Date worn by Christian Bale in The Dark Knight.
Always Ready to Shoot on Location
 Nolan always prioritizes real settings for his projects – Image: Internet. |
As someone who does not enjoy using CGI, it is no surprise that Nolan always prioritizes filming in real locations. Actors working with him also have to be ready to travel outside Hollywood to execute their scenes in different locations, even in other countries.
Although filming in real locations may create various challenges and difficulties, when looking back at the final product, no one can doubt Nolan’s decisive choices. The scenes in Chicago helped create a dark Gotham for The Dark Knight; or the beautiful landscapes of Paris contributed to the “dream” sequences in Inception. In an era where CGI is increasingly becoming prevalent in many blockbuster films, Nolan’s works remain entirely unique and stand out, largely due to his creative mindset and strict work principles that he has adhered to over the years.
Source: Looper
