Few Directors Become Famous

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vitaluminosa

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Hello,

I have a question:

There are so many talented filmmakers out there, I mean thousands upon thousands of very talented and even somewhat successful directors, but how come only such a small selected few go on to become the greats like Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorese, Steven Spielberg, or even someone like Terrence Malick, who makes a film once every twenty years?

To be honest, I am asking this question because I have the great aspiration to become one of those famed people and I am really just searching for the answer to how exactly I can propel myself up there.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Danny
 
Spending tons of time online reading and posting about technical aspects of dv cameras is a great place to start ;) - joking.

In my opinion, just make sure you are 100% consumed with your goal and have absolutely nothing left to lose.... no "career" to fall back on, no family responsibilities (i.e. kids) and shut out everyone that tells you "it ain't gonna happen".

Don't look back and die trying.

Good luck bro.
 
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There are so many talented filmmakers out there, I mean thousands upon thousands of very talented and even somewhat successful
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Is that so ? Thousands ?

I don't what famous means but I'd say there are less than no more than 50 world class directors working right now

-

If you're into this game to be famous, you may be in the wrong line of work
 
what you want to know is how to become a 'name'. it's simple. you need two things. the chops. and a pitbull for an agent. and really, you don't necessarily need the chops. but a ferocious agent is essential. it's the reason directors you never heard of get their names read in their trailer's VO as 'a film by such-n-such'. that first-timer with the unfamiliar name is who eventually turns into brett ratner.
 
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vitaluminosa said:
Hello,

I am asking this question because I have the great aspiration to become one of those famed people

Danny
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Dude, your motivation for being in this business is to become famous? Working with you must be a real treat...
 
vicrattlehead said:
Dude, your motivation for being in this business is to become famous? Working with you must be a real treat...
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no, judging by the caliber of filmmakers that he listed, i don't think he wants fame for the sake of fame. i think he wants to make his mark with a cinematic legacy that won't be forgotten and uncelebrated, or worse, completely unknown.
 
This goes back to my theory that if you make something that is worthy

It won' go unnoticed. Unlike music or tradtional art or literature ... you make a movie that is the real deal; you will get known.
 
vitaluminosa said:
To be honest, I am asking this question because I have the great aspiration to become one of those famed people and I am really just searching for the answer to how exactly I can propel myself up there.
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Be really really talented.

AND

Really really lucky.

Me, I'm with Brandon. As long as I get to the point that I can make movies for a living, I'll be doing okay.
 
Talent.

How do you get there? Make movies.

Why do so few reach it? There are plenty of people who can work hard and learn to direct well.

There are few that are born with a natural talent and greatness. There are fewer that then take that and work hard at it and pursue it. Those that do are those who are great, like those you listed.

Well... thats my theory :)
 
filmguy123 said:
Talent.

How do you get there? Make movies.

Why do so few reach it? There are plenty of people who can work hard and learn to direct well.

There are few that are born with a natural talent and greatness. There are fewer that then take that and work hard at it and pursue it. Those that do are those who are great, like those you listed.

Well... thats my theory :)
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I've heard it a lot of ways from a lot of people, but you can say it about acting, directing, writing, or anything else:

There aren't a lot of people out there who actually want to direct. Most of them just want to have directed and be famous for it.
 
I'd say luck plays a major major major role. For instance, after his blockbuster dud...was it 1941?, if Spielberg wasn't saved by George Lucas with the Indiana Jones series, he arguably could have slipped into obscurity - And here's a man who obviously has talent.
 
MalcolmOng said:
I'd say luck plays a major major major role. For instance, after his blockbuster dud...was it 1941?, if Spielberg wasn't saved by George Lucas with the Indiana Jones series, he arguably could have slipped into obscurity...
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obscurity?! Not so:huh:
Spielberg had at that time his pick of the hottest properties/projects in Hollywood. Because it was a dream of his since he was a teenager, he was leaning toward a new James Bond installment...but obscurity?!:huh:...FAR FROM IT!!
 
vitaluminosa said:
To be honest, I am asking this question because I have the great aspiration to become one of those famed people and I am really just searching for the answer to how exactly I can propel myself up there.
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1st off make sure fame is not the goal.
 
John_Hudson said:
This goes back to my theory that if you make something that is worthy

It won' go unnoticed. Unlike music or tradtional art or literature ... you make a movie that is the real deal; you will get known.
Click to expand...

:beer:

a better topic of discussion would be, how to make a good feature with a realistic budget
 
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