The informing idea of what you want to say and do, that's what will take you from film school to professional - the idea. That's what is original to you.
Interpretation
The essence of creativity lies in finding and expressing your unique ideas.
William Friedkin emphasizes the importance of having a clear, original idea as a driving force in filmmaking. He believes that regardless of one's educational background, it is the unique perspective and creativity behind a concept that will distinguish a professional filmmaker from a mere student.
In practice
In a film class, a student could use this quote to inspire peers when discussing the importance of unique storytelling.
The first work of the director is to set a mood so that the actor's work can take place, so that the actor can create. And in order to do that, you have to communicate, communicate with the actors. And direction is about communication on all levels.
The arts and inventions of each period are only its costume, and do not invigorate men.
A spider lives inside my head Who weaves a strange and wondrous web Of silken threads and silver strings To catch all sorts of flying things, Like crumbs of thoughts and bits of smiles And specks of dried-up tears, And dust of dreams that catch and cling For years and years and years...
The great film editor is not a cutter, he's a storyteller, right?
I am big. It's the pictures that got small.
All fiction comes from a little bit of reality, otherwise it would have no relevance. The fun is in innovation, take something real like this fair, and make it something larger than life.
The books that I'm writing, you can write them only when you're amongst your people. You're not going to find it on the Internet. You're not going to hear it there.
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