In a revealing conversation hosted by American Cinematheque, showrunner Jonathan Nolan and actor Aaron Paul delved into the craft of creating immersive television, with Nolan making a surprising admission about his initial skepticism toward shooting on film.
During the wide-ranging Q&A, Nolan candidly shared how he once doubted his brother Christopher's passionate advocacy for celluloid. "I thought my brother was kind of full of shit, honestly. I thought it was kind of a fetishistic thing," Nolan admitted. However, his perspective shifted dramatically while filming "Westworld," where the medium proved perfect for capturing the show's Western aesthetic.
The conversation between Nolan and Paul also explored their shared commitment to authentic production values, particularly regarding practical sets versus digital alternatives. Nolan emphasized that both "Westworld" and his current series "Fallout" demanded real-world locations and physical sets to maintain their creative integrity.
"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," Nolan explained.
The discussion concluded with an unexpected twist as Paul, known for his role in "Westworld," expressed interest in joining the cast of "Fallout," which has already secured a second season renewal from Prime Video.
The exchange highlighted how the Nolan brothers' dedication to traditional filmmaking techniques continues to influence modern television production, proving that sometimes old-school methods remain unmatched in creating compelling visual storytelling.
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