Here are three eccentric rules on sets of Christopher Nolan that yield great results: No toilet breaks, chairs or….

Yes to smart films. No to smartphones

First and foremost is Nolan’s aversion to modern technology. The director is known for not using a mobile phone. In an interview, he admitted to being easily distracted and hence avoids using smartphones. On top of that, the director doesn’t have an email address either. It is one thing to not use mobile phones and another to demand everyone on the set to do the same. Mobile phones are restricted on the sets of Nolan. However, instead of relying on electronic communication, Nolan opts for face-to-face interactions, and hand-delivering scripts to his actors to cultivate intimacy and focus in the casting process. He flew all the way to Ireland to meet with Cillian Murphy to discuss the script of Oppenheimer and sat with him till the actor finished reading the script. Perhaps, such in-person discussions have made the actors in his films stand out — Heath Ledger won the Academy Award for his portrayal of Joker, and now, Cillian Murphy is one of the strong contenders of Best Actor in upcoming Oscars.

Please don’t take your seat

Another hallmark of Nolan’s directorial ethos is his strict no-chair policy on set. The absence of chairs is intended to keep cast and crew members engaged and focused on the task at hand, acting. For the director, if an actor is sitting, it means he is not working. Despite initial discomfort, actors like Anne Hathaway and Robert Downey Jr. have attested to the effectiveness of this approach, which propagates a sense of discipline and concentration throughout the production. Downey, who acted in Oppenheimer set, praised Nolan’s move and described it as a “monastic approach to what we’re doing.”

Nature’s call is no excuse

Perhaps the most infamous of Nolan’s eccentric rules is his rigid stance on bathroom breaks. With designated times at 11 A.M. and 6 P.M. for restroom breaks, the director’s commitment and focus on this account is extreme. Despite the rule coming across as oppressive, the actors who have worked with the director seem to see the point behind it all. Downey called Nolan’s approach “super loose within this controlled format.” If Iron Man agrees with Nolan, who are we to protest?

In essence, Christopher Nolan’s eccentric rules serve as a testament to his uncompromising commitment to storytelling and excellence. And that is why, his legacy as a visionary filmmaker remains unparalleled.