Why the Use of Long Takes May Limit the Storytelling Ability of a Film

In the latest episode of Now You See It, host Jack Nugent examines Sir Alfred Hitcock‘s view of the long take and how that technique might actually impair a film’s ability to properly tell the story, depending on the context.

I love long takes anybody can appreciate them for how beautiful they are but they are limited in their storytelling power. They give us more choices in what to look at compared to cutting from face-to-face or object to object. This has its advantages with more to look at, to be more overwhelmed or taken aback, more amazed. But a cut forces us to look at one thing. That can be intense, the kind of emphasis a big shot doesn’t have. Sometimes it works sometimes a long take works. It just depends on how you look at it.