David Lowery, Writer / Director, discusses his early childhood obsession with Star Wars, his career in independent filmmaking, and the making of AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS and A GHOST STORY. They dive into the development of film titles, the use of old-fashioned illusions in creating the Ghost's costume, and the importance of a memorable title. David also touches on film financing and the process of storyboarding and drawing in filmmaking.
David Lowery's childhood obsession with Star Wars sparked his lifelong passion for filmmaking.
Lowery emphasizes the importance of visual storytelling and capturing key compositions and tones in all his projects.
The director transitioned from big-budget studio filmmaking to creating a low-budget indie film for personal fulfillment and creative freedom.
Deep dives
David Lowery's Journey to Becoming a Director
David Lowery shares his path to becoming a director, starting with his childhood obsession with Star Wars. Raised without a television, he developed a deep knowledge of the film through toys, storybooks, and books about its making. At the age of seven, he decided he wanted to make movies and embarked on a one-track journey to pursue his passion. Lowery worked in various roles in the film industry, using any opportunity to learn and gain experience. Eventually, he made his first feature film, 'Ain't Them Body Saints,' which led to further opportunities and a diverse range of projects.
From Independent Filmmaking to Big Budget Projects
Lowery discusses the transition from making independent films like 'Ain't Them Body Saints' to big-budget projects like 'Pete's Dragon' and 'Green Knight.' Despite the differences in scale and resources, Lowery approaches each film with a focus on visual storytelling and a commitment to capturing key compositions and tones. While some films require the use of visual effects or practical magic, he always seeks to balance simplicity and practicality with the creative vision of each project. Lowery emphasizes the importance of having a clear understanding of the type of movie being made and working closely with the cinematographer to develop a cohesive visual approach.
Refining Visual Style and Approaching Each Film
Lowery explains his approach to refining visual style and adapting it to each film. He emphasizes the importance of distilling the tone and character of a screenplay through key compositions and images, allowing them to guide the overall look and feel of the film. Each movie presents a new opportunity to explore different styles and techniques while maintaining a sense of continuity. Lowery's love for formalism, practical magic, and visual effects is evident in his work, as he carefully considers when and how to use these elements to serve the story effectively. The result is a diverse body of work that reflects his passion for visual storytelling.
Making Personal Films: A Director's Journey
The podcast episode features a director's journey of making personal films. After spending a year working on a script, the director was approached to potentially direct the film and realized they didn't want anyone else to helm their personal story. They impressed Disney studio executives with their vision and got the opportunity to direct it. The director reflects on the experience of making the film, highlighting the collaborative and aligned nature of the production. They discuss the challenges and highlights of shooting the movie, as well as the joy of having creative freedom.
From Studio Filmmaking to Indie Projects
The director shares their transition from studio filmmaking to creating a low-budget indie film. The decision to make a ghost story stemmed from their desire to make something for themselves, on their own terms. They explain how the idea of a haunted house with a bed sheet ghost intrigued them and allowed for exploration of deeper meanings. The director recounts the process of shooting the indie film in Texas with a small crew, utilizing cost-effective methods. They highlight the opportunity to improvise and experiment given the limited time and resources available.
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 60 - DAVID LOWERY - WRITER / DIRECTOR
Team Deakins speaks with writer and director David Lowery (PETER PAN & WENDY, A GHOST STORY, AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS) on this episode of the podcast. David credits his early childhood obsession with STAR WARS (despite having not seeing the films at the time) for his lifelong obsession with filmmaking, and he walks us through his early career working in independent film in Texas. We dive deep into the making of AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS and A GHOST STORY, learning how David developed the title for the former and how his collaborators pulled off the Ghost’s costume by utilizing the old-fashioned illusions of cinema for the latter. We also consider the danger of being beguiled by “cool shots” and how a good title can complement the tone of its film. We also touch on David’s favourite topic: film financing!
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Recommended Viewing: A GHOST STORY, AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS
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This episode is sponsored by Fiilex
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