You’re not the only one fed up with Hollywood sequels. In the above interview, John Krasinski tells Vanity Fair he originally didn’t want to make “A Quiet Place: Part II.” He also breaks down how he and his team created the gorgeous opening scene of his sequel. Furthermore, Krasinski points out his many inspirations for both the emotional moments and the cinematography in the scene.
One of the most notable parts of the video is his thoughts on the close-ups of Regan Abbott. Inspired by a conversation with actress Millicent Simmonds’ mother, Krasinski used sound design to get us inside Regan’s head. What she can hear, we can hear, and that’s not much. His devotion to finding another perspective from which to capture the story is one of his strengths as a director.
My favorite part of the video is his breakdown of the moments inside the car. Watching the film, you can tell he was inspired by Alfonso Cuarón’s “Children of Men,” which features a similar shot. The camera at the center of the car moves similarly between the different emotional and action beats. He points out a mistake at the end of the scene that actually makes the moment even stronger.
With so many Hollywood films made with sequels in mind (I’m looking at you “Army of the Dead“), it’s easier than ever to lose a passion for true cinema. It’s refreshing to see a filmmaker who was “an audience member first.” As Krasinski’s talents as a director grow, let us hope he will keep these principles in mind.
