The Shape of Water was nominated in thirteen Oscar categories at the 90th Academy Awards and swept away four, including Best Picture and Best Director. At its core, it is a defiant middle finger to conformity, and had us rooting even for something that is seemingly absurd: the love story between a mute janitor and her “fish-man.” To me, this underwater love story is a magnificent genre-blending piece of cinema that stands as a powerful allegory for marginalized communities and societal outsiders. The film is a testament not only to Guillermo del Toro’s visual genius but also to his technical acumen. Backed by a talented cinematographer such as Dan Laustsen and a celebrated VFX studio such as Mr. X, The Shape of Water is a masterclass in visual innovation and visceral storytelling. Take, for instance, the opening scene of the movie: an underwater scene shot without any water! In this article, we’re diving deep into the behind-the-scenes of the opening scene in Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning The Shape of Water. The Opening Scene The underwater scene presents the opening credits. The screen fades in from black, and we are on a riverbed. The camera glides on, taking us towards an apartment, through a narrow passage. The apartment is dimly lit with the furniture floating around. The camera takes us through the apartment and stops near a bed that's also floating. On top of it, we see a woman (Sally Hawkins) fast asleep. As the camera glides past her, the bed...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Tuesday, 9 September