Gareth Edwards’ latest cinematic venture, The Creator, is already creating waves in the film world. With a stellar cast led by John David Washington and a gripping narrative set in a future war between humans and artificial intelligence, the film promises to be a visual and thematic spectacle. One of the most intriguing aspects of its production was the decision to shoot in multiple countries. As many were eager to understand the thought process behind this choice, Edwards shared his reasoning and excitement of it during the press conference for the film.
The Way The Creator Was Shot Was All Positives
Given that The Creator was shot across multiple countries, spanning eight locations globally, many were curious about the rationale behind such a decision. What were the creative advantages of this approach, and what challenges did it present? Edwards’ response provided a fascinating insight into his innovative filmmaking process. First, he talked about how this process was basically all positive.
RELATED: THE CREATOR Director Wanted to Make Sure the Vehicles Were Bandai Worthy
“It’s mainly all benefits, I think, in that normally, when you make a film like this, what happens is you design the world. You do all these cool pieces of artwork. You show a studio. They say, ‘You’ll never find anywhere that looks like this. You’re gonna have to build it in a soundstage. It’s gonna cost $2 hundred million, and you’ll shoot it against greenscreen.’ And we were like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no, no.’ Like, forget the literal images. This is just the idea. We’ll design it based on whatever we actually film. So, we’ll do all the design, like, when we finish the movie. Like, we’d sort of make the movie in reverse.”
– Gareth Edwards, Director of ‘The Creator’-
Cheaper and More Efficient
One of the standout benefits of Gareth Edwards’ approach to The Creator was its cost-effectiveness, a factor that undoubtedly appealed to the financiers backing the project. But this wasn’t just about saving money. This strategic decision to minimize costs by utilizing real-world locations instead of constructing expensive sets also unlocked a plethora of creative opportunities
RELATED: Gareth Edwards Recalls His Original Inspiration for The Creator
“… If you get the crew small enough, the cost of the crew is so little that it’s cheaper to fly them anywhere in the world than it is to build a set. And so, suddenly, the idea of, like, picking every single best location based on the scene became a reality. And so, we cherry-picked, like, the volcanoes of Indonesia, you know, Buddhist temples in the Himalayas, you know, ruins of Cambodia and floating villages and all this.
We went to eight different countries and shot the movie a lot more like an independent film, to some extent. And then when it was all finished, we had, you know, a big chunk of the budget for Industrial Light and Magic and some other vendors. Basically, we edited the film, got frames from each shot in the movie, gave them to the Production Designer and the concept artist.
And what normally happens a year and a half earlier was then happening during the edit. And they were painting and designing all the sci-fi just on the shots we were actually using. So, you never paint to the left or the right of the frame, so everything’s really efficient. You only use what you see. And so, yeah. It was everything that I think, you know, that I like about the movie is a result of doing it differently. And so, I just feel like super excited. It feels like I never wanna go back to the other way of making a film, basically.”
– Gareth Edwards, Director of ‘The Creator’-
In the cinematic landscape, Gareth Edwards’ approach to The Creator showcases the magic of innovation meeting passion. By defying traditional filmmaking norms, Edwards has not only delivered a visual masterpiece but also highlighted that creativity isn’t limited to storyboards or soundstages. His choice to use the world as his canvas, selecting awe-inspiring locales and weaving them into the narrative, sets a new standard.
RELATED: JOHN WICK Producer Reveals A Shocking $50K Was Spent to VFX Out Dog Penis
The unique production process of The Creator, described by Edwards as “making the movie in reverse,” underscores the power of reimagining established methods. As audiences delve into The Creator, they’re not just watching a story; they’re experiencing a revolutionary vision. In a tech-driven era, The Creator stands as a testament to the human spirit’s ability to transcend boundaries and explore uncharted territories.
Experience the magic this innovative filmmaking yields when The Creator releases in theaters on September 29, 2023.
About The Creator
Release Date: September 29, 2023
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cinematography: Greig Fraser and Oren Soffer
Producers: Kiri Hart, Arnon Milchan, and Jim Spencer
Screenplay: Gareth Edwards and Chris Weitz
Executive producers: Zev Foreman, Natalie Lehmann, Nick Meyer, and Yariv Milchan
Cast: John David Washington, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Allison Janey, Amar Chadha-Patel, Ralph Ineson, and Sturgill Simpson
Synopsis
Amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Joshua, a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife, is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war… and mankind itself.
Is cheaper and more inspiring ever a bad thing? Do you get a sense Gareth Edwards developed a revolutionary filmmaking process with The Creator? How much of the awe comes through in the trailer? Let us know your thoughts and share your expectations with us on social media!
KEEP READING: THE CONTINENTAL Review [Part 1] – An Explosive Beginning to a John Wick Icon
