Production Episode 4 (Twin Peaks)

hunter s direction of episode 4 influenced techniques of otto preminger (pictured in 1976).

episode 4 first of series written robert engels; engels returned pen number of other episodes across both seasons. episode directed tim hunter, go on helm episode 16 , episode 28 in second season. hunter had known series co-creator david lynch time studying @ american film institute. engels had been brought on board other creative force in series, mark frost, felt engels sense of humor well-suited series style. engels found pace of series writing quite fast, noting frost , lynch outline plot of episode in matter of hours—engels had been used spending days @ time working on similar amounts of material writing crews on other programs.

hunter recalls being pleasantly surprised learn russ tamblyn , richard beymer had been cast regular characters in series, having enjoyed work of both actors during 1950s , 1960s. tamblyn improvised elements of performance, including magic trick involving 2 golf balls, had learned , wished include during role in episode. character of gordon cole, first played lynch in episode voice in telephone call, conceived being hard of hearing; because lynch liked idea of delivering lines in loud voice, , worked backwards establish reason this. engels wrote of cole s dialogue on series, having had experience own mother being hard of hearing.

engels felt 3 largest influences on series whole 1960s television series wild wild west, mayberry r.f.d. , fugitive—the inclusion of one-armed character in twin peaks direct homage latter of these. engels has noted series make use of normal, conventional storylines , everyday occurrences familiar framework, allowing subtle details seem more unusual against backdrop—he particularly cites episode s parole hearing hank jennings example, offers nothing out of ordinary other single domino jennings playing @ times, drawing attention item thing seems out of place.

hunter s direction in scenes inspired otto preminger s work on 1945 film noir fallen angel. film featured several scenes shot in tight spaces small mise en scène; hunter found himself using several of preminger s techniques make out of several of episode s smaller sets such rr diner. several scenes in episode shot using split diopter lens, allowing greater depth of field. example, scene featuring sherilyn fenn , richard beymer talking had actors @ either side of room; split diopter lens allowed both of them still in sharp focus. episode ends shot featuring dutch angle; hunter director on series frost , lynch allowed use shot, otherwise forbidden.