Influential Film-makers
I just want to share some of my favourite writers and directors, and how some of their work has influenced me. I also feel by watching their films and studying them, we can improve our own work.
ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ INARRITU
Shot to fame with his film Amores Perros, and has won numerous awards. He has become renown with tackling fractured narratives, and some of his other works include 21 grams and more recently Babel. His work deals a lot with characters and drama within realism, and it’s a change from most of the usual mainstream films that are released. I like the real problems that he gives his characters, and captures and explores this with the realism. Whether it’s the couple in Babel that are grieving over the death of their child, or whether it’s the Benicio Del Toro character in 21 grams who struggles to overcome the horrific accident in which two children lost their lives. The impact and reaction that is evoked from his characters certainly makes it gripping, and memorable long after you’ve left the cinema. Incidentally, Alejandro has also made some short films which include POWDER KEG, and participated in a series of short films called 9/11
WHAT WE CAN LEARN: writing characters with realism
CHARLIE KAUFMAN
Charlie Kaufman is influential for a lot of screenwriters, because he’s so imaginative. ‘Being John Malkovich’ was a script that remained in the studios for years, but once it got made and received critical acclaim it paved the way for so many screenwriters to be imaginative. Charlie Kaufman’s other films include Adaptation, in which he writes himself into the screenplay, and uses an imaginary twin brother to represent everything he dislikes within mainstream films. One of my favourites is ‘Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind’ which won the Oscar for best screenplay, is inventive but manages to have a voice that says so much. For those of you who haven’t seen the film, it’s about Joel (Jim Carey) who finds out his girlfriend has erased all memories of him. So in return he decides to have the same procedure done to himself, however as each memory is being erased he decides he wants to keep some of the more personal memories. I liked the way it says you have to embrace your partner’s flaws. It’s a brilliant screenplay, and is available in most book-shops.
WHAT WE CAN LEARN: being inventive with concepts
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
Christopher Nolan has a background in Literature, which has served him well in films. He has become one of the most sought after directors with films like Memento, Insomnia, The Prestige and the Batman films. His films, despite being big budget studio productions are just brilliant, because they have great stories and great characters. One of my favourite films is The Prestige, because both the excellent characterisation. Alfred (Christian Bale) and Robert (Hugh Jackman) have the goal of being the best magician.
Alfred is an excellent magician, and his strength is that he’s a perfect craftsman. However, his flaw and weakness is that he’s a not a good showman, he can’t dress up his tricks and excite the audience.
Robert’s strength is that he’s an incredible showman, but he lacks being a craftsman and magician.
Also the way the plot is constructed beautifully flashing back and forth, giving point of view from both of the main characters perspective is excellent screenwriting.
An interesting point is that The Prestige is based on a novel by Christopher Priest, and therefore it’s an adaptation. I think in recent times it’s one of the only books where the author is happy with the film. Otherwise how many authors and writers do you see who are unhappy with the film.
WHAT WE CAN LEARN: big budget films often neglect stories and characters, but Christopher Nolan has recognised it as the fundamental element in all his films.
Development and Realisation 
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