Why did French New Wave filmmakers use location shooting and handheld cameras?

French New Wave filmmakers, including Jean-Luc Godard, utilized location shooting and handheld cameras primarily because these methods were pragmatically suited to the movement's need to produce films quickly and inexpensively.1

By moving away from the traditional, studio-bound industry system, these directors were able to bypass the constraints of mainstream French cinema's "tradition of quality." This independent production style allowed for greater creative freedom and was essential for the New Wave group to execute their experimental, highly individualistic visions. Beyond the practical benefits, this aesthetic helped deconstruct established narrative conventions, contributing to a reflexive style of cinema that commented on its own creation.21