Tips From Famous Filmmakers and Professionals

Below is all the advice I have collected from famous filmmakers from videos, interviews and written work they have published.

“If a movie changes the way other filmmakers are doing it, it’s gotta be great.”

If you enjoy these tips check out a YouTube Series called 'Notes On A Scene' by Vanity Fair for more tips from famous directors, writers and producers.

Tips and Quotes:

General Advice

Ryan Coogler (speaking on Black Panther): Contrast is always important e.g. beauty in war.

Todd Phillips (on Joker): Don’t be afraid to use metaphors and use symbolism to convey themes. This can be done through setting e.g. Gotham’s high rises seem to be oppressing Joker inside it, clothing or music.

Rian Johnson (on Knives Out): Always try to use a scene to dovetail into what will happen in the next.

Dexter Fletcher (on Rocketman): Dot your film with iconic, vital scenes e.g. Dodgers Stadium Show in Rocket man.

Story-line Advice

Rian Johnson (on Knives Out): Often good, depending on genre, to introduce a character vital to the story towards the middle of the movie to give it a fresh breeze. E.g. Ransom in Knives Out, Han Solo in New Hope.

Closer Look: Use a plot twist to create tension and use it as a weapon to draw the viewer in and play with their emotions.

Closer Look: The first scene of a movie should always explore the vital parts of a film, the main character, perhaps the setting and a villain. But contrastingly, another take at an opening is to build anticipation for the big reveal of a vital character, e.g. in the Dark Knight the first few minutes include a bank heist and a conversation about the main villain which both set up excitement for the big reveal of this notorious character. Important to note that in this movie the protagonist, Bruce Bane, is not mentioned for at least the opening ten minutes.

The Closer Look: Injustice is an integral part to any sad scene.

The Closer Look: The shorter the time between the climax and the end the better. If the last few minutes have an emotional punch and the audience is still excited from the climax, the film will finish with your audience wanting more.

The Closer Look: A powerful ending wraps all the plot lines up in one moment e.g. the end of the Matrix. Good ending is when it takes just one moment to resolve everything because the plots weave into one another forming one giant web of story.

The Closer Look: Catharsis is the weapon that should be used at the end of a film.

Character Advice

Quentin Tarantino (on Once Upon A Time In Hollywood): Use character flaws to add depth to your character, however, don’t tell the audience these traits, but input those negative traits into his daily life.

Closer Look: Tips on how to make a satisfying, exciting plot twist; one, it must enhance your story moving forward, two, it must have strong logic to what came before it and finally, the twist cannot break any promises. E.g. the plot twist in Knives Out transforms the story genre in an appropriate, enticing way.

Stephen Merchant (on Jojo Rabbit): A character can have opposite traits blended into one e.g. Jojo Rabbit’s Gestapo Agent who is both a buffoon but intimidating.

Closer Look: Motivation is the bread and butter for a great villain. With a solid motivation your audience might empathize with your villain.

Dialogue Advice

The Closer Look: If a line doesn’t have purpose it is guaranteed to be bad dialogue. The mark of a good writer is the ability to conjure up dialogue that serves multiple purposes at the same time.