As a seasoned cinephile who’s been through the celluloid jungle more times than I care to remember, let me tell you that Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a cinematic masterpiece that harks back to the golden age of practical effects. The man’s dedication to the tangible world is as admirable as it is rare in today’s CGI-driven industry.
In creating his critically lauded movie “Nosferatu”, Robert Eggers aimed to incorporate as many genuine elements as feasible, which led him to use an astonishing 5,000 live rats. The production team went above and beyond to make sure every rat was accounted for after filming and that their welfare was prioritized during the shooting process. Craig Lathrop, the film’s production designer, shared with Variety that “Not a single rat was lost. We found them all. We constructed plexiglass barriers to keep the live rats in a secure area. In the street scene, the horses were on one side of the plexiglass barrier, while the rats were on the other, so they wouldn’t scurry beneath the horses’ hooves and get trampled, ensuring no accidents occurred.
Despite using over 5,000 real-life rats, Eggers and his team needed to incorporate computer-generated ones as well due to the sheer number required for the film. Lathrop described the blending of practical and digital elements: “We constructed half-meter square mats that were covered with fake rats which we spread throughout the set. We placed live rats in the foreground, and behind them were the rat mats onto which effects were later added and animated.” It’s challenging to understand why such a large number of live rats wouldn’t suffice for any production, but those who’ve witnessed Nosferatu would comprehend why so many rodents were essential.
Guillermo del Toro’s commitment to authenticity extended beyond the animals in his film to almost every facet of production. This meticulousness was evident in Bill Skarsgård’s six-hour makeup session to transform into Count Orlok, as well as the intricate sets designed to replicate an 1830s European atmosphere. Although only a few real locations were used for exteriors due to modern renovations of existing castles, great care was taken during interior set construction on soundstages to achieve the desired appearance. To this end, a specialized Italian company was even hired to create custom wall tattoos that added texture and imperfections when applied. According to Lathrop, these tattoos helped evoke a sense of awe in viewers, as they mimicked the feeling one would have when experiencing the actual setting.
In contrast to numerous Hollywood films increasingly relying on computer-generated imagery (CGI), filmmaker Eggers has consistently opted for minimal digital enhancement throughout his career. However, he acknowledges that there are instances where CGI is indispensable. In an interview with Polygon, he stated, “Given the scale at which movies are made today, it’s impossible to avoid CG due to modern safety regulations, labor costs, and union requirements.” Despite the growing dependence on computers for visual effects in films, Eggers’ dedication to the authentic and tangible is a welcome change, resulting in unique visual styles.
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2024-12-28 19:39