Alejandro G. Iñárritu made a significant mark on modern cinema with his consecutive Academy Award-winning films, Birdman and The Revenant. Both projects are famous for their unique technical approaches and the physical demands placed on their casts.
This quiz asks about the specific methods used to achieve technical feats, such as the one-take look in Birdman. We also look at the production hurdles and intense performances that defined the making of these two films.
If you enjoy this, see our cinematography techniques, difficult movie shoots, or general Oscar winners.
Which filmmaker directed both the 2014 film ‘Birdman’ and the 2015 film ‘The Revenant’?
David Fincher
David Fincher
Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan
Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Alejandro G. Iñárritu
What technique was primary used to give ‘Birdman’ the illusion of being filmed in one continuous take?
A digital stitch
A digital stitch
A single long take
A single long take
Fast-motion camera work
Fast-motion camera work
Reversed footage
Reversed footage
Which lead actor famously ate raw bison liver while filming ‘The Revenant’ for the sake of authenticity?
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Christian Bale
Christian Bale
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy
What was the primary environment for the snow sequences in ‘The Revenant’?
Polystyrene foam props
Polystyrene foam props
Artificial snow machine remnants
Artificial snow machine remnants
High-altitude natural snowstorms
High-altitude natural snowstorms
Computer-generated imagery only
Computer-generated imagery only
What was the primary driver of the reported ‘crew rebellion’ or high turnover during the production of ‘The Revenant’?
The cast’s protest against long hours
The cast’s protest against long hours
The harsh, remote working conditions in the Canadian wilderness
The harsh, remote working conditions in the Canadian wilderness
Unpaid royalties for the main actors
Unpaid royalties for the main actors
Disagreements over the film’s script
Disagreements over the film’s script
Which legendary cinematographer won Academy Awards for his work on both ‘Birdman’ and ‘The Revenant’?
Hoyte van Hoytema
Hoyte van Hoytema
Emmanuel Lubezki
Emmanuel Lubezki
Rachel Morrison
Rachel Morrison
Roger Deakins
Roger Deakins
What specific animal organ did Leonardo DiCaprio consume during the ‘The Revenant’ scene?
Raw calf liver
Raw calf liver
Prepared gelatin dessert
Prepared gelatin dessert
Raw bison liver
Raw bison liver
Vegan alternative
Vegan alternative
Why did the production of ‘The Revenant’ face a significant, costly relocation late in the shooting schedule?
The production had to relocate from Canada to Argentina to find enough snow
The production had to relocate from Canada to Argentina to find enough snow
The union rules regarding mandatory indoor lunches were ignored
The union rules regarding mandatory indoor lunches were ignored
The set was located too close to a noisy highway
The set was located too close to a noisy highway
The crew was entirely computer literate and refused to shoot on film
The crew was entirely computer literate and refused to shoot on film
What technical element was crucial in managing the transitions between long takes in the film ‘Birdman’?
Editing software limitations
Editing software limitations
Extensive use of motion capture suits
Extensive use of motion capture suits
High-speed drone cameras with thermal sensors
High-speed drone cameras with thermal sensors
Lens choices and steadycam operators
Lens choices and steadycam operators
What is the primary narrative focus of the film ‘Birdman’?
A fading Hollywood star attempting a Broadway comeback
A fading Hollywood star attempting a Broadway comeback
The life of a world-famous jazz musician in New York
The life of a world-famous jazz musician in New York
1980s London theatre scene
1980s London theatre scene
A political thriller set in the halls of the United Nations
A political thriller set in the halls of the United Nations
In which year was the film ‘Birdman’ first released to the public?
2012
2012
2018
2018
2016
2016
2014
2014
Which factor contributed to the tension between the director and the studio during ‘The Revenant’ production?
The film was shot strictly in chronological order without rehearsals
The film was shot strictly in chronological order without rehearsals
The director demanded that all makeup be applied only once for the entire shoot
The director demanded that all makeup be applied only once for the entire shoot
The actors were required to stand in freezing water for hours
The actors were required to stand in freezing water for hours
The production ran significantly over budget and behind schedule
The production ran significantly over budget and behind schedule
In which city is the majority of ‘Birdman’ set?
Chicago
Chicago
New York City
New York City
London
London
Paris
Paris
Why was the raw liver consumption in ‘The Revenant’ deemed necessary for the scene?
It was essential to the actor’s method acting approach
It was essential to the actor’s method acting approach
The script required the character to survive an extreme wilderness ordeal
The script required the character to survive an extreme wilderness ordeal
The prop liver looked too unrealistic for the director’s taste
The prop liver looked too unrealistic for the director’s taste
The budget did not allow for a fake prop to be manufactured on location
The budget did not allow for a fake prop to be manufactured on location
How did the ‘Birdman’ production prepare for the complex one-take illusion?
The entire film was shot in a real, functioning Broadway theater in one day
The entire film was shot in a real, functioning Broadway theater in one day
Intense rehearsal periods to synchronize actor and camera movement
Intense rehearsal periods to synchronize actor and camera movement
Only 10 takes total for the whole film
Only 10 takes total for the whole film
Use of secret green-screen backgrounds throughout the theatre
Use of secret green-screen backgrounds throughout the theatre
Approximately how many active shooting days did the production of ‘The Revenant’ involve?
120 days
120 days
100 days
100 days
80 days
80 days
60 days
60 days
What does the term ‘crew rebellion’ refer to in the context of ‘The Revenant’ production reports?
The lead actors went on strike to demand higher insurance premiums for the stunt work
The lead actors went on strike to demand higher insurance premiums for the stunt work
Members of the production team quit due to the director’s demanding nature and harsh cold conditions
Members of the production team quit due to the director’s demanding nature and harsh cold conditions
The union representing the crew organized a walkout over safety concerns
The union representing the crew organized a walkout over safety concerns
The script was leaked on the internet before filming began
The script was leaked on the internet before filming began
Which actor played the titular protagonist Riggan Thomson in ‘Birdman’?
Emma Stone
Emma Stone
Zach Galifianakis
Zach Galifianakis
Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Edward Norton
Edward Norton
What specific production choice caused frustration for the crew during ‘The Revenant’?
The director refused to use artificial lighting, requiring specific natural light windows
The director refused to use artificial lighting, requiring specific natural light windows
The costumes were made of synthetic material that did not hold body heat well
The costumes were made of synthetic material that did not hold body heat well
The actors were paid significantly more than the crew, leading to resentment
The actors were paid significantly more than the crew, leading to resentment
The remote locations resulted in poor food and hygiene options for the crew
The remote locations resulted in poor food and hygiene options for the crew
What piece of equipment was essential for the operator capturing the smooth movement in ‘Birdman’?
A traditional tripod and dolly track system
A traditional tripod and dolly track system
A hydraulic crane setup
A hydraulic crane setup
A camera stabilizer mount
A camera stabilizer mount
A custom built drone platform
A custom built drone platform
What iconic, visceral scene in ‘The Revenant’ is central to the protagonist’s journey and struggle?
A forest hunt scene
A forest hunt scene
A mountain climbing sequence
A mountain climbing sequence
A river crossing scene
A river crossing scene
A bear attack scene
A bear attack scene
How many Academy Awards did ‘Birdman’ win at the 87th Academy Awards?
4 Oscars
4 Oscars
0 Oscars
0 Oscars
8 Oscars
8 Oscars
2 Oscars
2 Oscars
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
When you finish this, check out more trivia on Method acting styles, notable film directors, and iconic cinema history.
