If you're writing a screenplay for a feature, you don't have any involvement with the casting process, the editing process, the set design, the costume design, or any of that stuff.
When I was acting, I was always asking abut the mechanics of filmmaking. I decided I would learn what everyone on set was doing, so I would feel less threatened.
polychromatic visual clamour
My interest in filmmaking was always very much the visuals and images.
The cinema is a very truthful medium because the camera doesn't let you get away with anything. On stage, you can even loaf a little, if you're so inclined.
Making movies is about creating illusions, and they can be subtle illusions, but it's all a cumulative effect as you make these little tweaks. It kinda adds up to something, hopefully.
Typically, whenever you're envisioning how you're going to shoot something, you have a location or a set that you're going to build, and it's going to be built to specifications.
I'm always secretly the most pleased when a show just really, really looks good and when my camera guys are really happy with the images they got.
I've got a great collection of photography.
Theaters are great. They're designed to sound good, not for basketball.
I think that lens flares can work really well under certain circumstances. Personally, I am trying to get rid of them most of the time. I don't like artifacts that draw attention to the surface of the image.
The show is being changed right now, by the way. Jeff Burke is doing it for the Magic Kingdom. And I think it will be better, with new birds, master of ceremonies, etc.
I had fun doing it, but acting ain't really my thing. I am more of a production/director type. I would rather be behind the scenes and organizing and putting things together like that.
I like to know where the camera is.
Every cinematographer I worked with had his own way of solving problems.
I've made some films that were very much image based: 'Anna Karenina' and 'Pan,' for instance.
'The Dance Scene' is basically the most amazing dance show in the world, and it follows me as a creative director. You see how I maintain that creativity.
I have wanted to direct for quite some time, but I wanted to be ready and know what I am doing. I wanted to know the basics.
I am eternally impressed and amazed by what directors do.
I learned about making films by going into advertising, making commercials.
So many directors say nothing beautifully, and so many others say great and profound things but have no idea how to read a light meter or arrange a shot.
I'm finally having my TV removed and replaced by a tropical fish tank, which I hope will provide more interesting viewing.
I'll reshoot a corridor 13 different ways, and you'll never recognise them.
When I first filmed things, they were always slightly awkward.
Great art direction is NOT the same thing as great film direction!
