We have to keep the wolf from the door… We tell stories to continue ourselves. We all think an exception is going to be made in our case, and we’re going to live forever. And being a human is actually arriving at the understanding that that’s not going to be. Story is there to just remind us that it’s just okay.
—Ken Burns
All posts in Directing
Ken Burns: On Story
Brother Spizike
UPDATE: Here’s an interesting essay posted recently about the video above and Spike’s use of this dolly move in his work.
My Love Affair with Steve McQueen part 2
I have nothing to add — just watched this vid, please.
The Hollywood Reporter also produced another good one last year with actors. I’ll post that one and the rest of this year’s director series after the jump below.
Filmmaker Steve McQueen On Acting
He had me at “thank you very much”.
Listen to this man. Listen to him speak about story, character, relationships and setting… it’s all there. Any actor wanting to really create inspired performances will be telling their agent to call this man right now.
There are so many elements involved in directing… it’s not often you hear a director today talk with such nuance and authority about performance. Thanks McQueen, you made me a fan… without seeing a single frame…
[source]
Empire State of Mind
This spot was directed by Spike Lee, and shot by Ellen Kuras with some camera operations by friend, classmate and frequent collaborator Daniel Patterson.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, State Farm partnered with award-winning director Spike Lee to film a touching tribute to thank the heroes of New York. Nearly 150 school children (ages 8-11) from the New York City area visited four firehouses and thanked the firefighters through song.
Download the full-track of Empire State of Mind (Part II) from iTunes here: http://st8.fm/ON2. Proceeds from the download benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (http://www.firehero.org/).
[source]
Coverage for Cowards
Coverage is for cowards; You have to express courage. You have to choose in advance rather than wait to choose in the editing room. You have to be able to stage action, and that can be an unnerving process.
Mr. Guadagnino… you had me at coverage.
List of Great Films Directed by Women
Friend and filmmaker A. Sayeeda Clarke recently sent out an email asking the NYU grad listserve to share their favorite films from Women Directors.
After a ton of cutting and pasting (I’m sure) compiling the list she posted it back on the listserve for the curious. I thought it was a good idea for a list (to get your film IQ up) so I’m sharing it here.
Click the link below to read it and comment if you have any additions or corrections!
How to Make a Living as a Filmmaker
You’ve completed your school work and made a few films in school, and now you need to figure out your next steps. What career options exist for filmmakers? How can you develop and raise money for a film project and still cover your living expenses?
This panel addresses these questions and provides examples and answers relevant to all makers of film and other media.
found @ S&A
Train
Here’s a short film from classmate and collaborator Darius Clark Monroe.
Luke Wins!!!!
Told ya!!
As I’ve said many times, he’s one of the good guys. And now he also has an Oscar.
Sweet.
Follow Luke on Twitter or also here on his Tumblr.
God of Love – Oscar’s
It’s Oscar night in America. A classmate and good friend of mine,Luke Matheny is nominated in the Short’s section. On my old site I posted an entry after Luke won the gold Student Academy award and afterwards he was nominated for an Oscar. I’m very proud of him and wanted to share an excerpt of that original post as a way of honoring him and his work:
Blue Valentine
Recently caught excellent this film (directed by Derek Cianfrance) and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Solidified Ryan Gosling as a fine actor for me and also rediscovered Michelle Williams’ fine work here too. I also was impressed to find out these two produced the film as well.
The American People Film
“In the heart of Alabama wiregrass country, a mother haunted by prescient visions of the future struggles to find hope and the strength to live again after the sudden death of one of her children just days before 9/11.”
American People Lookbook
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Posted – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - 12/09/2011
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What I Remember – Sundance Labs 2011
Here’s my final post for the Sundance Institute Blog…
Continue Reading →
Impossible Me
Here’s a blog post for the Sundance Institute Blog about my time at the Directors Labs…
Continue Reading →
Sundance Directors Labs 2011 – Production Pics
These are some pictures from our three weeks of shooting scenes from the film at the Labs.
Continue Reading →
My Instagrams – Life on the go
Articles I’m Reading
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– The Age of Innocence – NYTimes.com - 05/18/2012 - – Trayvon Martin Case Shadowed by Police Missteps – NYTimes.com - 05/17/2012
- – Bradford Young, Cinematographer for ‘Middle of Nowhere’ – NYTimes.com - 05/16/2012
- – The Coming Meltdown in College Education & Why The Economy Won’t Get Better Any Time Soon « blog maverick - 05/16/2012
- – The ESPN Man – NYTimes.com - 05/15/2012
What I’m Watching
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– 001- Enter the Void - 05/19/2012 - – 002- Jackie Brown - 05/19/2012
- – 003- The Graduate - 05/19/2012
- – 004- Somersault - 05/19/2012
- – 005- Swimming with Sharks - 05/19/2012
Music I’m Listening To
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– Let It Be Me by Ray LaMontagne - 05/04/2012 - – Have You Seen Her by The Chi-Lites - 04/30/2012
- – If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - 04/30/2012
- – The Stable Song by Gregory Alan Isakov - 04/30/2012
- – Eyes On Fire by Blue Foundation - 04/30/2012
From My Tumblr – Sad Vader
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– Photo - 05/19/2012 - – "It takes a very long time to become young." - 05/18/2012
- – Photo - 05/18/2012
- – "Dust and Water" by Antony & The Johnsons - 05/18/2012
- – Photo - 05/18/2012
