Let's face it, without a director movies would never be what they are today. Like favorite movies, directors are just as plentiful and amazing. My questions are: Who is you favorite director? What makes you love their films? How do they influence your work?
For me personally I'd be torn between 6 or so directors. Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, John Huston, Akira Kurosawa and Sergio Leone. Obviously there are countless other names; Quintin Tarantino, Frank Capra, Buster Keaton, John Ford, etc. The first six however have such control over the cameras movements. Spielberg's use of the low tracking shot, Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese's longer then average shots that move gracefully through the scenes, John Huston's use of lighting and gritty realism, Akira Kurosawa's use of elements and the telescope lens, and Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western style. Each influences me in their own way and there are countless others. If I was to truly say who influences me the most, I'd say Sergio Leone but my favorite would have to be P.T. Anderson.
So please share, this is a question that's been on my mind for a long time.
My favorite director that has most influenced me the most is Wes Anderson. Not only does he have an amazing control of camera movement, but he has controll of every aspect of his films. The scripts he compose are unique and leave you with a major sense of satisfaction. His choice of music has always been perfect for the films.
ReplyDeleteAs I was saying he has a control of the camera. The use of the quick pan, his long tracking shots, the anamorphic wide angle shots, some unconvetional shots that break the rules, all move and tell the story.
His films have a unique taste about them that I cannot find from other films.
Charlie Chaplin's direction of City Lights alone puts him on the top of my list. City Lights by the way is my favorite.
Of course Scorsese makes the list.
Gondry, Kurosawa,Copola, and a few more I will describe when I return from my In and Out run, side note best fast food burger you will ever have.
more director's to name drop
ReplyDeletelike paul said Sergio Leone and Frank Capra.
D.W. Griffith and Orson Welles for their inovations.
Jean-Luc Godard one of the founders of French New Wave. His use of the jump cut is amazing.
i applied to the school orson welles graduated from ^_^ i love kubrick. and woody allen, lol. anderson. coppola, apocalypse now! redux is the best. and fellini, gotta love 8 1/2 (and terence stamp in 'spirits'!). trying to get into some more dario argento.
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ReplyDeleteaw dude this question is unfair
ReplyDeleteIf I had to choose, I think it would be Kevin Smith. The guy is responsible for Clerks, Dogma, Mallrats, and "The Flying Car." Not to mention, more recently, Zach and Miri Make a Porno.
He's got the brand of humor that appeals to me most, and at the same time he can get across a serious message through his movies. He's a fat dude with a lot of heart.
Plus, he's the only famous person who's proud to say he came from New Jersey.
what about The Boss?? lol
ReplyDeletehow could i forget about kevin smith, i loved mall rats! and most of his stuff
ReplyDeleteIt may be just the mood I'm in at the moment, but I can't help but mention my enormous affection for Jim Henson. Yeah, I know it would probably seem smarter to use someone more adult, but screw looking intelligent. From his early experimental work with Timepiece all the way to Labyrintha and of course countless Muppet movies, never stopped being unique. While most directors can be stylistically copied or replicated, there has never been another Jim Henson.
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ReplyDeleteOne director I didn't say was Yimou Zhang because I would feel like a huge liar by saying I admire his work, since I only admire two of his films... since I've only seen two of his films. That being said I do plan on watching the rest of his collection or at least a nice handful since he's apparently a very masterful director. Though I could already tell that with his film,Ying xiong aka Hero and House of Flying Daggers. Hero, however, was his first martial arts film which is something of a departure from his usual dramas. But watching Hero you get a sense the director was writing a drama and not a martial arts film. The violence occurs because it's necessary, not because it's a martial arts film. Each course of events has emotional attachment. It's done in Rashomon style and Jet Li shines as the leading man. The direction is superb and the use of color leaves me speechless, bring elements and symbolism to life. Needless to say this film makes my top ten films of all time and inspires me on a daily basis. While I'm currently writing a film noir which is far from the workings of Hero, it's always there for inspiration. I probably could go on for hours or shot by shot through Hero, pointing out each bit of greatness. If I'm bored and can't think of what movie I feel would be good to watch, I put it in the dvd player and enjoy. Thank god Tim likes it too, or I'd have an annoyed room mate on my hands.
ReplyDeleteI can't really pick ONE director I that is my favorite - but I do admire those few directors who can turn a movie into an art form, and not just a recording of actor's movements and dialogue. Directors like Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine), Tom Tykwer (The Princess and the Warrior), Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie), Frank Miller (300), Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight), even Tim Burton in his less popular film Big Fish, and dozens of other indie film directors that you guys probably haven't heard of before. It's easy to film stuff happening - it's another thing to be able to make a unique, original, beautiful picture on the screen.
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