“To me, watching a movie is like going to an amusement park. My worst fear is making a film that people don’t think is a good ride.” ~ Darren Aronofsky
I’ve loved Darren Aronofsky‘s films since “Pi“. Whether the subject matter is about a crazy scientist, drug addicts, or a dancer seeking perfection, his skillful use of strong visuals & sound effects always guarantees a cinema treat. There is often a philosophical layer in his film that adds depth to the existing story, and makes the main character a symbolic hero in a journey in quest of something extraordinary.
I recently came across an article in which Darren talks about his top 5 books on filmmaking. It was no surprise when I found that he includes “The Writer’s Journey” by Christopher Vogler in his top 5. To quote Darren Aronofsky’s words: “Vogler’s approach to screenwriting was based on Campbell’s theory that, because of myths, the arc of a hero’s journey was a story ingrained deeply inside all of us. I really incorporated his ideas and techniques into how I structured films—I referred to it a lot.”
The 1st book on his list is “Making Movies” by Sidney Lumet. I can attest that this is a fine book on different aspects of filmmaking. This is a small book which reads like a novel, written by an experienced director. Sidney Lumet brings us onto his movie sets through expressive & humorous writings.
It is also great to know that, as “auteurish” as Darren is, he still learns from all the great films & directors from previous generations. “Easy riders, raging bulls” is another book he mentions that offers a great account of innovative directors in the ’70s.
Darren Aronofsky also talks about “The Ragman’s Son: An Autobiography”- the autobiography of Kirk Douglas and “Hitchcock,” a book based on an interview of Hitchcock conducted by French New Wave director François Truffaut. I came across this link today, where you can download the audio files of the original interviews: The Hitchcock and Truffaut Tapes.
Darren Aronofsky’s Filmmaking Booklist
- Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
- The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
- Easy Rider, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind
- The Ragman’s Son: An Autobiography by Kirk Douglas
- Hitchcock by François Truffaut
What are some of your favorite books on filmmaking – Please leave a comment below.
With the talent you have for film making, I hope someday we can read a book that you have written. Keep up your good work!
Thank you Jim : ) You are the 1st to comment on our new blog.
I am thinking of going the Vancouver film school and taking film production, i dont have any experience at all with producing or directing a film and i dont know if this is the right move for me.
i have always liked watching movies and all types of tv shows but never thought of a career on this field.
i was wondering if you had any advice or words of wisdom you can give me.
much appreciate
thank you.
Hello Andres,
Thank you for visiting our website. Happy 2012!
Here are some of my thoughts regarding going to film school and becoming a filmmaker:
There are definitely benefits of going to film school, if you choose a good(not necessarily expensive) one:
(1) Your will get systematic training on the entire process of filmmaking – from pre-production to post-production;
(2) You will have a chance to network with people who are in the industry, or people who know somebody in the industry;
(3) You will get to use the equipment that you can’t afford to buy yet;
(4) You get to meet people who have the same interests, and can possibly become your filmmaking buddies for a lifetime.
On the other hand, it can be quite costly to go to film school. So it also depends on if you have the budget.
The evolution of video technology has made filmmaking much more affordable than before. You can get a DSLR camera such as Canon 60D for about $1000, plus a decent lens, and capture beautiful images with it.
Going to school or not, I think the best way to learn is to have more hands-on experience. The more you practice and experiment, the better a filmmaker you become.
You can gain production skills and knowledge by reading books, watching movies, and making a short film/video on your own.
Some people do not need the systematic training a school provides, while others prefer a structured learning environment with mentors.
The other great way to learn is to seek internship with production companies.
I would suggest that you take a few production classes at a local college, or some local media center that offers film classes before enrolling in a 4 year film program. This way you can find out if you are really interested in the process of filmmaking, and in which aspect you are especially interested in(scriptwriting/directing/cinematography/producing…etc), without having to invest lots of money at once.
If you decide to go to film school, be sure to do some research to find out if the school is more hands-on or more theory-oriented.
If you are spending money going to school, you want to have good access to equipment and solid training on production, instead of just
“talking about movies.”
To get a job in this field is not as straight forward as getting an engineering or accounting job. A degree in film is less important than good bodies of work/portfolio that you can show the prospect client/employer. If you are really keen to learn, and are good at what you do, you will always be able to find work. You can start working at a young age, and start your own production company at a young age as long as you are driven.
Listen to your heart, take (smart) risks, and stay focused : )
Best wishes to you,
~ Van Hsieh