"Wednesday" Explained: UNCSA experts react to cinematography, VFX, viral dance
Academy-award-nominated filmmaker Tim Burton is a household name. His most recent project, "Wednesday," is a certified smash hit amongst audiences and longtime fans of everything creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and all together ooky — breaking the record for most hours viewed in its first week for an English-language series on Netflix.
From the striking and unmistakable cinematography style and realistic depictions of monsters, werewolves, vampires and the fan-favorite severed hand, "Thing," to Jenna Ortega's now-viral dance that took the internet by storm, the "Addam's Family" spin-off series is yet another notch in his belt of cult classics.
But how did Burton and his team bring the fantastical world of "Wednesday" to life? Our UNCSA experts have the answers.
School of Filmmaking faculty and "Beetlejuice" cinematographer Tom Ackerman joins fourth-year cinematography student Katelyn Adkisson to dissect the hit series and detail the cinematographer's role in storytelling. Director of Visual Effects and Immersive Media for the School of Filmmaking and "Hellraiser" special effects coordinator Bob Keen and fourth-year visual effects student Mark Jabourian analyze the series and discuss the vital role VFX plays in storytelling. School of Dance faculty and pro choreographer Ashley Lindsey and fourth-year ballet student Avery Davis react to Ortega's dance performance and analyze her creative process.
Cinematography
"Beetlejuice" cinematographer and cinematography student react to "Wednesday"
Academy-award-nominated filmmaker Tim Burton is a household name among modern filmmakers.
His striking and unmistakable cinematography style continues to delight longtime fans
of the macabre and was a key factor in the success of the "Addams Family" spin-off
series, "Wednesday,” starring Jenna Ortega.
But what defines Burton’s distinct visual style? With an intimate understanding of
Burton's career, UNCSA School of Filmmaking faculty Tom Ackerman joined forces with
fourth-year cinematography student Katelyn Adkisson to dissect the hit series and
detail the cinematographer’s role in storytelling.
Visual Effects
UNCSA faculty and student break down the effects for "Wednesday"
Tim Burton’s all-new “Wednesday” series astonished viewers with its realistic depictions
of monsters, werewolves, vampires and the fan-favorite severed hand, “Thing.” However,
creating such mysterious and spooky creatures doesn’t happen with just a push of a
button. Visual effects supervisor for the series Tom Turnbull and his team employed
cutting-edge special effects to bring the fantastical world to life.
To explore the complex techniques used in visual effects, Bob Keen, Director of Visual
Effects and Immersive Media for the School of Filmmaking, and fourth-year visual effects
student Mark Jabourian sat down to analyze the series and discuss the vital role VFX
plays in storytelling.
Dance
UNCSA dance faculty and student react to Jenna Ortega's "Wednesday" dance
Jenna Ortega took the internet by storm with her now-viral dance for the Netflix original series "Wednesday." Set to the classic Cramps track "Goo Goo Muck," the daring performance drew inspiration from punk and gothic rock icons such as Nina Hagen, Lene Lovich and Siouxsie and the Banshees. In interviews, Ortega revealed that she bypassed the help of a choreographer and crafted the routine in just two days.
While the spooky choreography has quickly become one of the show's most talked-about moments, does it hold up to professional standards? School of Dance faculty Ashley Lindsey and fourth-year ballet student Avery Davis react to Ortega's performance and analyze her creative process.
by Izzie Filben
Adam Witmer - Director/Cinematographer/Editor
Get the best news, performance and alumni stories from UNCSA.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)
April 05, 2023