Choosing a style.

First the movies the op chose are mostly my favorites too! And like someone else here mentioned, you don't choose anything, you are only able to do one thing you are suppossed to for the rest of your life. I can't recommend enough Tarkovsky's "Sculpting in Time", it'll answer every question you ever had on film or art in general. And since you like his films, trust me, it'll open up your eyes!

And judging by the films you like, you already know what you love the most. Most of these films don't have a clear narrative, they're much more heavy on feelings than logic. And no, you can't like a lot of different things, if you study closely on your preferences in music or your movie list, there's always one single thing that combines all of them. So, don't worry, just do what you feel, don't think, the human mind is an awful thing in art, don't trust it!
 
I've read Sculpting in Time 3 times already :) Definitely the best book on film or art i've ever read.

And I understand what you mean about thinking too much being detrimental to art. I guess I suffer from a torn personality of in most things being a very practical and logical person, but also being a very emotional instinctual person. I think my desire to have everything planned out perfect as far as my upcoming short film is concerned is my fear of it not being good. I know I should just relax and trust my instincts but that can be a difficult place to get to.
 
"Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam and Kubrick likes wide angle close ups."

You're throwing these three together based on that?
 
I think the story should dictate the style, more so than the quirks of the director. Some directors (Tarantino) create the story just to highlight their quirky styles, but they are few and far between. I think a director needs to know when to step back and let the story world dictate how it should be filmed and approached. Filming should serve story, not ego.
 
I guess it's true when I think about it that a lot of my favorite directors don't seem to have a "style" that runs throughout all of their films. Wong Kar-Wai for instance, after making Chungking Express and Fallen Angels in the handheld fashion, decided to make In The Mood For Love completely on rails, and I think all three of those films are amazing.

I suppose it would maybe even get boring after many years to be doing the same style over and over.
 
I would offer to you not to confuse music video career directing with commercial directing or narrative film directing. Totally different career with a different set of pressures with agents and reps selling you totally differently. When doing your own film, you arent up against other directors - you are doing your own film. As someone sagaciously mentioned your style emerges on your own from your own eyes and experiences and ideas for translation to film language.

Make a good film, when u get a rep, let them sell your "style" Or one could always strive to be a journeyman director - you can become quite rich doing that as well Yeeeahwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
 
Back
Top