Love, Death + Robots Team Reveal Influence David Fincher Has on Netflix Series

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In an exclusive chat with ComicBook, the masterminds behind Netflix’s hit animated anthology, Love, Death + Robots, have shed light on the substantial artistic impact that executive producer David Fincher has had on the series, which recently debuted Season 4 on Netflix. Tim Miller, the series creator, and Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the supervising director, discussed Fincher’s unique directing style and how his detail-oriented approach significantly enhances the entire production. They expressed great admiration for Fincher’s vision, stating that his input serves as an ongoing learning opportunity, shaping the visual style and narrative of the thought-provoking shorts in Love, Death + Robots. This collaborative relationship, where Fincher shares his extensive expertise, has become a key aspect of the series, influencing aspects ranging from camera positioning to the fundamental filmmaking knowledge for the various teams working on each distinct episode.

Tim Miller shared with us that during their extensive collaboration, he often realizes how superior a director David Fincher is compared to himself. This seems to be a recurring observation among those who work with him. David frequently imparts wisdom to others through concise poetic phrases, or ‘haikus of knowledge’, as Tim puts it. Examples include ‘FILM IS ABOUT THE EXPANSION AND COMPRESSION OF TIME’ and ‘THE MAIN JOB OF A DIRECTOR IS WHERE TO PLACE THE CAMERA AND FOR HOW LONG.’ These insights, delivered in all caps, are always insightful. Simply reading his notes is like attending a directing class, watching him provide feedback on works in progress and execute shots.

In Nelson’s words, “He has a remarkable ability to visualize the exact shots he desires for his work.” Working on Finch’s ‘Bad Travelling’ episode for Love, Death + Robots, Nelson stated, “His descriptions are so vivid that it seems as if the images have already been captured. He’s simply trying to convey his vision to us. I gained immense knowledge about camera setup and lensing from him. Just listening to his ideas for shots was like attending a masterclass in our respective fields. Every department at Blur Studio found his approach to light, camera work, and storytelling fascinating. It was truly a beautiful experience.

Miller shared a fascinating observation he heard during one of their screenings: “He said, ‘The director is the only one working backwards in time because the director sees the finished product.’ This isn’t always true for me, but it seems to be his approach. He envisions the end result and guides everyone towards it, pulling them along as he moves backward in time.” Miller then added that he views this process more as an evolution rather than working backwards, perhaps because he feels his path is still unfolding with new opportunities to improve things along the way.

David Fincher’s Imprint on Love, Death + Robots

David Fincher’s professional association with Tim Miller and Blur Studio extended beyond their collaboration on ‘Love, Death + Robots.’ Notably, they worked together on the captivating main title sequence for Fincher’s 2011 movie, ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.’ This early partnership paved the way for their involvement in Netflix’s anthology series. Since its debut in 2019, Fincher has served as an executive producer for the show. He also directed the critically acclaimed episode “Bad Travelling” from Season 3, a chilling story about a ship hunting sharks that is attacked by a massive, intelligent crustacean. This episode, commended for its lifelike animation and immersive storytelling, embodies Fincher’s distinctive style in the realm of animation.

In Season 4 of “Love, Death + Robots,” there’s a Fincher-directed short called “Can’t Stop.” This distinctive short features the Red Hot Chili Peppers as marionettes performing their hit song. It demonstrates how the director is not afraid to explore various styles within the “Love, Death + Robots” format. The way he approaches his work, referred to as a “masterclass,” can be seen in the diverse animation styles and genres that the series tackles, ranging from cyberpunk and cosmic horror to dark comedy and surreal fantasy. This approach guarantees a high level of quality and artistic ambition, which has earned the show several Emmy Awards.

Love, Death + Robots Volume 4 is now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-05-16 11:10