4 hours ago
5
In Hollywood, the Nolan name is synonymous with a commitment to producing cinematic spectacle at the highest possible level. Christopher Nolan’s obsession with shooting on celluloid film, using IMAX cameras, and staging everything from military battles and zero gravity sequences to atomic bomb tests with as many practical effects as possible is well documented. And his brother and frequent collaborator Jonathan Nolan employs a similar approach on his shows like “Westworld” and “Fallout.”
Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with “Westworld” star Aaron Paul for a career-spanning Q&A hosted by American Cinematheque, where he reflected on his commitment to producing TV shows with an unrivaled attention to detail.
Nolan recalled his first experience with shooting on film during the production of “Westworld” after previously shooting “Person of Interest” digitally — and the moment he knew he could never go back.
“’Westworld’ just kind of felt like you’re trying to evoke the Westerns, you’re trying to evoke that nostalgia,” he said, explaining that he became a converted disciple for celluloid after seeing how the first season turned out. “I thought my brother was kind of full of shit, honestly. I thought it was kind of a fetishistic thing. It’s not!”
When the topic of conversation turned to the elaborate practical sets and the globe-spanning location shoots that were required for both shows, Nolan explained that shooting either “Westworld” or “Fallout” on green screens would be inauthentic to the story.
“Westworld is about an experience you pay for where it feels completely real. And ‘Fallout’ is an adaptation of a video game. So you’re trying to take something that is virtual and making it feel real. In both cases, you’re better off making it real,” he said.
“Fallout” has already been renewed for Season 2 by Prime Video, which should give Nolan and co-showrunners Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner even more freedom to expand the show’s immersive post-apocalyptic world. One development that could soon be materializing is a reunion between Nolan and Paul, who ended the conversation by openly lobbying for a role in the show.
Watch the full conversation between Paul and Nolan below.
English (US) ·