essay on the master

• Screenwriting \e607
• Directing \e606
• Cinematography & Cameras \e605
• Editing & Post-Production \e602
• Documentary \e603
• Movies & TV \e60a
• Producing \e608
• Distribution & Marketing \e604
• Festivals & Events \e611
• Fundraising & Crowdfunding \e60f
• Sound & Music \e601
• Games & Transmedia \e60e
• Grants, Contests, & Awards \e60d
• Film School \e610
• Marketplace & Deals \e60b
• Off Topic \e609
• This Site \e600

Watch: Yes, 'The Master' is a Great Film, and Here's Why

If you're not convinced, this video essay proves pta's most hypnotic feature is also one of his most criminally underrated..

It is an undeniable fact that within the span of a twenty-year career, Paul Thomas Anderson has put out a pretty incredible canon of work. Which of his films should be considered best, however, is a much more divisive question.

If you went out and surveyed fifty filmmakers, critics, or students and asked them which film sits on top of their list, it's our guess that at some point each of his movies would be represented at number one. All this is to say that, perhaps more than any other modern auteur, the themes of Anderson's movies resonate deeply with audiences for their own entirely personal reasons.

 Not content to simply label the film as "bad," some fans have dismissed the film outright with as many synonyms for "dull" as they can muster.

Of course  Boogie Nights ,  There Will Be Blood ,  and  Magnolia  are the perennial favorites, but then there are projects like Punch Drunk Love and the subject of Film Radar's latest video essay:  The Master .   Not content to simply label the film as "bad," some fans have dismissed the film outright with as many synonyms for "dull" as they can muster.

So how is it that they can make it through the kaleidoscopic three hours that comprise  Magnolia , but find the story of Freddie Quell so utterly plotless and confounding? The few who have placed the film at the top of their lists—those who truly relate to Freddie's character as a man destined to drift through life without purpose—might tell you, "well, that's kind of the point."

The video essay above may provide those with lesser feelings towards the film with enough context to reconsider its place within PTA's body of work. It is a highly complex character study featuring two of the finest actors of their generation giving brilliantly nuanced performances from an unconventional, yet painstakingly thought-out, script.

Anderson's main inspiration for Freddie is a soldier from a real-life documentary entitled Let There be Light.  The film, directed by John Huston, follows 75 U.S. soldiers who have sustained debilitating emotional trauma and depression during World War II. Though initially produced by the United States Government, it was quickly suppressed and remained unreleased for thirty years.

Anderson's version of processing makes for one of the most powerful moments in any of his films. 

The scene from the documentary which is highlighted in the essay was lifted almost word for word by Anderson to be re-made in  The Master.  The main difference is the stubborn nature with which Joaquin Phoenix (inspired in part by stoic monkeys) plays his version of the soldier. This is a key character trait, because later on in the film it is revealed that the only one who can break Freddie's cyclical pattern of hardheaded screw-ups is a chance encounter with the Master himself.

And when that happens, what a scene it is. The Master (Philip Seymour Hoffman) employs a spiritual practice, called "The Cause," which is largely influenced by Scientology's Dianetics; it prompts his protégé Freddie Quell to "process" by revisiting painful experiences, and others to go back before their birth and beyond. Anderson's version of processing makes for one of the most powerful moments in any of his films. Freddie is finally broken down and the sailor who had previously gone wherever the wind takes him has finally found a cause to settle down.

As Anderson himself puts it, however, Quell is ultimately bound to his primal nature. He must leave even that which may be the first place to have provided him with some semblance of solace. "The second he feels too much good will in the room, he’s probably going to split," the director explains.

At its core, that is what the film is all about. If any of us haven't acted this way in some capacity before, then we must at least know someone who is the type to put this burden upon themselves. There is perhaps no more accurate depiction of this frustratingly human psychological phenomenon than Freddie Quell, and we have The Master to thank for that. It shouldn't be taken for granted.

How the 'Blitz' Sound Department Created an Immersive Experience

This movie echoes inside your ears and heart thanks to james harrison and his team..

Film is a visual medium, but if you truly want to immerse your audience in the experience on screen, you want to have high-quality sound.

One of the most intense experiences I've had this year was watching the Steve McQueen movie Blitz on Apple TV+.

Blitz 's sound department was run by James Harrison , who also worked on Ridley Scott movies like The Last Duel and Napoleon . Harrison worked hard to design the soundscape, which is largely driven by sound and the trauma within the sound of bombing, to stand out and connect with viewers.

It was our pleasure to sit down with him and to hear about his job

Let's dive in.

Editor's note: the following interview is edited for length and clarity.

No Film School: How were you approached for Blitz and what were those early conversations with director Steve McQueen like?

James Harrison: Paul (Cotterell) and I have built a strong working relationship with Steve McQueen over the years, so we were brought into Blitz very early on. We received the script early in the process, along with updates as revisions came through, and made sure to clear our schedules for it.

Our initial conversations with Steve focused on some of the sound notes embedded in the script, but the real deep dive into the soundscape didn’t happen until he was in the cutting room. That’s when we started exploring his ideas in detail and working collaboratively to shape the film’s sonic identity and push its boundaries.

NFS: How was this approach different from other films you've done with him? What has changed since working on the Small Axe series?

Harrison: So Small Axe was a very different beast. It was right in the middle of the COVID pandemic—everything was shut down, and here we were, working from home on these five films for Steve. Due to budget constraints we were an extremely small team and during the final mix. It was just Paul, myself and Steve in the theatre. It was extremely hard work, but it was also probably some of the most fun I’ve had in the industry, and mix-wise it laid the foundation for how Steve wanted to approach Blitz . We all loved the intimate, hands-on process with a small team and carried that same ethos into Blitz .

This time around, we had the advantage of being based in a townhouse in central London. Our cutting rooms occupied the basement and ground floor, Steve and Peter (the editor) worked on the first floor, and the VFX and picture assistants were on the second and third floors. It created a highly collaborative environment. Being directly involved with discussions about picture changes was incredibly valuable, as was having Peter or Steve pop downstairs to review scenes or ideas we were putting together.

NFS: Can you talk through your day-to-day process with this film? Where did you end up starting, and where did you finish?

Harrison: With every large film, the beginning always feels a bit overwhelming. You’re faced with this massive, intricate project—so many scenes, ideas, and details vying for attention. If you’re just starting out in the industry and feel this way, let me assure you: it’s completely normal, and we all go through it.

The way Paul and I work is that he will take the dialogues and crowd work, and I take on the foley, FX, and sound design. For me, the first step is always about discovering the “essence” of the film. What do I want the soundtrack to accomplish? What emotional or narrative layers can the sound design add? Once I identify that thread, everything starts to fall into place. It’s all about building a solid foundation.

I often compare the process to painting a watercolour: you start with broad strokes of background colour, then gradually build in depth and detail. My first step is a backgrounds pass , which establishes the world of the film. This step is particularly helpful for the dialogue team, as it informs decisions around noise reduction and ADR, while also setting the tonal foundation for the rest of the soundscape.

Next, I move on to the big Spot FX and Sound Design—the key sounds in each scene that drive the action or narrative. Once those are in place, I move on to the finer details, usually over a second or third pass. During this time there is always a huge back and forth with the dialogue team—we'll have constant discussions and reviews to see where we can help each other, and if anyone has any interesting ideas.

Then it’s really about refining and honing. I’m never afraid to completely scrap sounds from my timeline and start again if they aren’t achieving what I want them to do. It’s a timely, gradual process of layering and shaping until everything comes together.

NFS: How does the experience differ from other “war” films like Napoleon ? Or The Last Duel ?

Harrison: One of the things I love most about working in film is the sheer variety. Every project is unique—you’re collaborating with different producers, directors, editors, and sometimes an entirely new sound team. Each film brings its own set of challenges and opportunities, which keeps the work fresh and exciting.

This variety means that no two experiences are ever the same, even within the same genre. With Napoleon and The Last Duel , for example, the approach to sound design reflected the distinct storytelling styles and visions of their director. Each required its own creative solutions and techniques. The beauty of this industry is that every project teaches you something new, and over time, experience becomes your greatest asset.

NFS: What was the biggest challenge for this film? What surprised you about working on this film?

Harrison: I think honing in on the emotion of the film. Track laying and putting down sounds for every event is one thing, but crafting a soundscape that evokes a specific feeling or emotional response is an entirely different task. It requires time, careful thought, and a lot of trial and error to get it just right.

The biggest surprise, though, was Saoirse Ronan’s singing. I already knew she was a phenomenal actress, but when she started singing, and it completely floored me. Her performance added a depth and authenticity that elevated the film in such a beautiful and unexpected way.

NFS: What is the difference in your job when it comes to some of the more action-packed and louder sequences versus the quiet and more intimate ones?

Harrison: Quieter, more intimate scenes require a different approach—you need to watch them in longer runs to truly understand how the subtler sounds fit within the larger context. For instance, to decide if a distant bird or passing car feels right, you might need to review the scene starting a minute or two earlier to see how the sound settles into the atmosphere and contributes to the intended mood.

In contrast, action-packed sequences are all about precision and micro-editing. Tiny adjustments, even as small as an eighth of a frame, can have a huge impact on how the scene feels. These sequences demand intense focus, and they can be much more physically and mentally taxing. It’s crucial to step back periodically and take breaks to maintain perspective and avoid burnout.

NFS: What did you take away from working on this project? And what do you hope viewers (and listeners) take away from this experience, especially from a sonic perspective?

Harrison: I hope we’ve succeeded in immersing the audience in the world Steve has brought to life—letting them not just watch, but truly feel the film on an emotional level. From a sonic perspective, the goal was to create an environment that draws viewers into the heart of the story, making them part of the experience.

There have been countless incredible war films, but very few focus on life at home during the war. I hope this film inspires viewers to reflect on that untold side of history and perhaps even dig deeper into the real-life characters portrayed in the story, as I did.

'Heretic' Ending Explained

Unlock wireless drone recording with the new dji mic mini, here's why danny boyle shot '28 years later' on an iphone 15, read and download the screenplay for a24's 'heretic', panasonic debuts affordable new lumix g97 with these slick upgrades, 9 best quentin tarantino movies, ranked, read and download the 'i saw the tv glow' screenplay, what new cameras can we expect in 2025, dive into the editing secrets of 'challengers', how 'laid' uses lens swaps to dictate genre and tone for a killer rom-com.

Your home for college admission support

We bring more ease, joy, and purpose to the college admission process through free resources, online courses and one-on-one coaching., free resources.

Our blog has practical guides on the personal statement, supplemental essays, paying for college, and more.

Video Courses

Comprehensive live and on-demand courses to keep you on track. Most are pay-what-you-can, so anyone can join.

One-on-One Support

Want more personalized help? We've got free and paid options. Schedule a call with us to find out more.

When it comes to college admissions, we pretty much have all the things.

College Application Hub

• Essay examples
• Brainstorming exercises
• Supplemental essay guides

Upcoming Webinars

• Weekly AMAs
• Interviews with experts
• Professional development for counselors

YouTube Channel

• Application advice
• Interview guidance

College Essay Guy Blog

• How-to guides for colleges
• Resources for every part of the application process

• Industry-leading experts
• Building your college list
• Behind the scenes of an admission office

Most of our courses are Pay-what-you-can—which means anyone can join.

All Student Courses

• Join live or watch OnDemand
• Personal statement
• College application
• Applying to selective colleges
• College List Building
• Advanced Courses

All Counselor Courses

• Join live or OnDemand
• Comprehensive professional development
• Applications & supplemental essays
• Working one-on-one
• Workshops and small groups

Meet with an experienced essay specialist or counselor. Receive personalized, comprehensive support. Get all your questions answered.

College Essay Guy believes that every student should have access to the tools and guidance necessary to create the best application possible. That's why we're a one-for-one company, which means that for every student who pays for support, we provide free support to a low-income student.

The Matchlighters Scholars Program pairs high-achieving students from low-income households with experienced college counselors.

College Essay Guy offers tons of free and paid resources and professional development opportunities for college counselors working in high schools, community based organizations, or independent practices.

Free resources for counselors.

• Application checklists and monthly email templates
• Step-by-step guides
• Resources just for counselors working in high schools and CBOs

Online Video Courses

• Starting at $597 (or pay-what-you-can)
• Personal statement, supplemental essays, UC personal insight questions, and more
• For working one-on-one or in groups

Workshops & Speaking Events

• Led by trained workshop facilitators—from 30 to 300 students
• Personal statement, supplemental essays, UC PIQ’s and more
• Mix-and-match presentation topics

Essay Writing Curriculum

• Two private, live training sessions with your team
• A schedule of daily assignments with interactive exercises that help foster moments of self-discovery
• Designed specifically for teachers, high school and CBO college counselors

Family Handbook

• 37-page guide
• College List-Building
• Financial Aid
• Standardized Tests

Put Harvard-Educated Editors to Work for You.

Our Editing Makes the Difference.

Please note: our office will be closed from September 5th-9th 2024. If you submit an order during this time, we’ll have your revision back to you by September 11th!

The Master Approach

Our Harvard-educated  editors do not merely offer critiques and proofing; they also provide superior editing and admissions consulting to help you get admitted to your top-choice school. We have edited tens of thousands of personal statements, earning our place as the premier application essay consultancy. We’ve encapsulated our learnings in the most comprehensive admissions essay help course available anywhere, and we made it free .

Our goal is to level the playing field—offering the best admissions essay editing at affordable prices , democratizing a highly unequal admissions landscape. We combine the finest Harvard-educated editors in the world with the most advanced AI , polishing your essay until it is the most excellent, most authentic version of itself that it can possibly be.

Please take the time to review more than a dozen “before” and “after”  samples of our work , to understand our approach to editing, to peruse the list of prestigious schools to which our customers have been admitted, and to see for yourself why EssayMaster is the premier application essay editing service .

The Master Advantage

The finest Harvard-educated editors perfect your essay

Advanced AI scores your “before” and “after” essay against “successful” examples

Zoom private brainstorming session available with your editor (optional)

Affordable prices & fast 48-hour or 24-hour turnaround

The Master’s Guide to the Admissions Essay

This free essay help course walks you through the process from brainstorming to editing. Read question-specific strategies covering the most common application essay questions and personal statement prompts. Decide which essay structure to employ, while brushing up on transition, word choice, verb tense, and sentence variety. Study different types of introductions and learn how to conclude effectively.

Acceptance Letters to Hundreds of Schools …

"Thanks for all your help on my essay!! Even though I have written hundreds of paragraphs and papers, this statement of purpose was a huge challenge. I've been very nervous about the application process because I know how much weight these statements carry with admissions committees. Your revisions gave it the direction it needed. I got into Harvard Law School. Thanks so much again!!!" - Accepted by Harvard University

"i was slightly pessimistic about paying for editing on the internet at first, but i am very glad that i decided to try it nonetheless. i think it is fair enough to say that without your editing service, i wouldn't be where i am now, admitted into my first choice residency program. i really liked your editor's comments and the option to e-mail them directly. that personal contact i think is what's making your service so effective. thank you very much." — admitted to residency program, "the editor definitely helped to streamline my essay by removing extraneous language and information. the major help came in whittling down the essay to the required number of words. it gave me peace of mind to know that a qualified educator had a role in this important part of my application process. i'm not sure i would have gotten into columbia's law program without you." — accepted by columbia university, "the big moment has arrived i got accepted to fuqua and … wharton." — accepted by fuqua and wharton, "until so far you have checked my essays for three different business schools. manchester, oxford and london. last week, i was accepted by oxford. thanks for your service." -- admitted to oxford's saïd, "i hope that you are doing very well though not all schools have released their decisions, i have received the first batch of good news. i am in at wharton, kellogg, duke, tuck, unc and still waiting for cornell, michigan and yale. i am very excited about the good news and wish to share it with you." — admitted to wharton and kellogg, "today i received my acceptance letter and feel i owe so much to my editor. i just had to make sure i let you know how grateful i am. your ideas were so helpful and the feedback i received was so professional. what i liked best was that my voice and my originality were maintained. also, you added some wonderful stylistics. thank you" — admitted to yale school of medicine, "david was accepted at nyu. there is absolutely no doubt in our minds that your editing of his personal statement made the difference. you've made such a difference in our lives. thank you.” — accepted by nyu, "i got a personal note from the admissions officer on the bottom of one of my acceptance letters saying how much he liked my essay." — admitted to oberlin, "i had two different editors for 8 total essays. there was no feeling of heavy re-writing or any attempts to take control of my ideas. the edits were very helpful and my essays read much smoother and were more interesting because of them. the attention paid to the opening sentences really seemed to be the most helpful." — accepted by johns hopkins, "this is a great service. i applied to five schools and have heard back from four of the schools with acceptance letters. in one of the admissions letters received they cited that i was accepted due to my essay/personal statement." - accepted by university of houston, put harvard-educated editors to work for you, today.

• The Shape of Water vs. Master: Films Comparison

The Films “Master” by Mariama Diallo and “Shape of Water” by Guillermo Del Toro Essay

Application of encoding/decoding and spectatorship theories in the film master.

In this paper, the Master will be analyzed according to the two analytic tools such as encoding/decoding theory and spectatorship theory. The film was released in 2022 by Mariama Diallo. The Master , is a film that analyzes the black community’s discrimination and how deeply these prejudices are ingrained in the human mind (Bradshaw, 2022). Through the lives of two black women—a student (Zoë Renee) and a teacher (Regina Hall) who came to the college in New England—the director tells a familiar tale of curses, ghosts, and sinister houses. Underneath their racial discrimination, film shows more significant issues such as gaslighting and changing one’s identity to fit in with society. As was mentioned previously, the movie would be analyzed through the encoding and decoding theory and the theory of spectatorship. Therefore, the movies can be interpreted from different perspectives under viewers’ backgrounds, ages, races, sex, and sexuality. All these aspects are covered within the theory of spectatorship and encoding and decoding tools.

Application of encoding/decoding and spectatorship theories in the film Shape of Water

The film Shape of Water is going to be analyzed according to the two analytic tools such as encoding/decoding theory and spectatorship theory. The Shape of Water is a masterfully written and directed narrative by Guillermo Del Toro in 2017. It is a contemporary fantasy romance set at the height of the Cold War. There are many fairy tails which frequently contain glorious and lovely entities which take on disguises to teach craven humans lessons. So, the film is devoted to reminding people that everyone is beautiful and that those people usually named as weird and frightening will inherit the planet. (Scott, 2017). The theory of encoding and decoding as well as the theory of spectatorship are known for its approach of analysing media through the different perspectives that the viewers have. The main characters appearance and life situations make it the best choice for analysis through these methods.

Bradshaw, P. (2022). Master review – racism haunts a New England University in uneven horror . The Guardian. Web.

Scott, A. O. (2017). Review: ‘The shape of water’ is altogether wonderful . The New York Times. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, April 28). The Films "Master" by Mariama Diallo and "Shape of Water" by Guillermo Del Toro. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-films-master-by-mariama-diallo-and-shape-of-water-by-guillermo-del-toro/

"The Films "Master" by Mariama Diallo and "Shape of Water" by Guillermo Del Toro." IvyPanda , 28 Apr. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/the-films-master-by-mariama-diallo-and-shape-of-water-by-guillermo-del-toro/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'The Films "Master" by Mariama Diallo and "Shape of Water" by Guillermo Del Toro'. 28 April.

IvyPanda . 2024. "The Films "Master" by Mariama Diallo and "Shape of Water" by Guillermo Del Toro." April 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-films-master-by-mariama-diallo-and-shape-of-water-by-guillermo-del-toro/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Films "Master" by Mariama Diallo and "Shape of Water" by Guillermo Del Toro." April 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-films-master-by-mariama-diallo-and-shape-of-water-by-guillermo-del-toro/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Films "Master" by Mariama Diallo and "Shape of Water" by Guillermo Del Toro." April 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-films-master-by-mariama-diallo-and-shape-of-water-by-guillermo-del-toro/.

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘The Master: How Scientology Works’ Video Essay Shows Similarities Between the Religion and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Film

Indiewire staff.

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on LinkedIn
• Show more sharing options
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Print This Page
• Share on WhatsApp

Paul Thomas Anderson ’s 2012 drama “ The Master ” follows Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), a Naval veteran who arrives home unsettled and uncertain of his future after fighting in the war. He then meets Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), a leader of a religious movement known as “The Cause” who accepts him and takes him under his wing.

The film drew comments that it had some similarities with Scientology and its belief system, though Anderson denied that it was about the religion. Although, the filmmaker did say that the movie was partly inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and his book “Dianetics,” among other stories and people.

A new video essay, “The Master: How Scientology Works,” by YouTube user Nerdwriter1 explains how Scientology’s practice of auditing is used in the film and how the movie features other techniques used by the religion.

READ MORE: John Travolta Had Scientology Head Review ‘Pulp Fiction’ Script Before Accepting

It begins by showing how questions from Scientology’s Oxford Capacity Test are used in a scene between the two leads and how some of the manipulative techniques that Dodd uses on Quell to reveal his deepest and darkest secrets are very much like the methods that Scientology uses when auditing.

“People like Freddie, who experience [auditing] unknowingly, are susceptible to coercive suggestion whether its done maliciously or by someone not properly trained,” says the video. “They can be persuaded to think that the Church is right with a capital R and thus deserves all the time and money they’re asked to give it.”

READ MORE: Church of Scientology Criticizes A&E for Canceling KKK Docuseries While Promoting Leah Remini’s Show

“Hubbard held that auditing, like we see in ‘The Master,’ is the way to quote-unquote ‘clear every single person on Earth.’ When that’s your claim, there can be no uncertainty in your methods when uncertainty is the one thing that binds all forms of mental health,” it adds.

Check out the video essay below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keYYiuOJdrE

Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here .

Most Popular

You may also like.

The Master Essay Questions

By paul thomas anderson, essay questions.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

What is the irony of Lancaster Dodd calling Freddie a scoundrel upon first speaking to him?

Freddie has wandered upon a ship that Dodd is piloting, he was drunk and passed out. Dodd calls Freddie a scoundrel and it is ironic because soon after Lancaster invites Freddie to stay so long as he makes him his special booze. Dodd has a taste for the hardcore alcohol that Freddie makes and easily partakes in it with him.

Why is Helen concerned with Lancaster changing one word to a programming question?

Dodd has just released his second book and has changed a programming question by one word: from "recall" to "imagine." The reason this concerns Helen so much is that when asking someone what they recall it is asking them about what really happened to them, while asking them what they imagine means they have the will to make it up. She sees that Dodd is slipping and may not even believe in what he is teaching people as truth anymore.

What is the significance of Freddie's drinking and acting out his lust?

Freddie has come back from World War II, but on board his Navy vessel he learned to concoct a deadly drink that keeps him inebriated. We also see that he is constantly thinking of sex, and wanting to have sex. These are the ways in which Freddy deals with the pain he is running away from. The booze keeps his hurt and violence at bay, and his focusing on sex is his choosing to pursue the easy road with women rather than the more difficult one of fulfilling his promise to Doris and returning home to marry her after the war.

Update this section!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section.

After you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.

The Master Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Master is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for The Master

The Master study guide contains a biography of Paul Thomas Anderson, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Master
• The Master Summary
• Character List
• Director's Influence

Wikipedia Entries for The Master

• Introduction