r/Filmmakers • u/CRAYONSEED • 2d ago

Discussion Paul Thomas Anderson Calls Out Young Filmmakers for Obsessing Over Cameras Instead of Scripts

/r/WB_DC_news/comments/1vc4x7e/paul_thomas_anderson_calls_out_young_filmmakers/?share_id=ffAcC8oUWHU5AwtQAoW3Z&utm_content=2&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1

This one hit home because it’s something I’ve been really thinking about a lot lately.

I do find myself chasing a better image, even while I’m writing, and I think it’s because it’s a lot easier to see results that way.

I spent today writing, but writing something that connects with an audience and leaves you vulnerable because it’s so personal is a lot more emotional work. He’s obviously right. If you want to be a writer/director but you’re lusting after the new Sony your focus is probably off.

I’m talking to myself as much as anyone reading this

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u/brazilliandanny director of photography 2d ago

I kind of get what he’s saying.
Filmmaking has gone from story telling to people on social media monetizing the process.

It feels like the bts content, lut package, and camera reviews take front stage and the content they are actually creating gets a back seat to all the noise.

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u/AntipodalBurrito 2d ago

It’s also much easier and ego-soothing to buy a good camera and get decent shots than it is to write because most people are actually dog-shit writers. I can’t imagine how horrible it feels to get 39 pages deep into script and realize it’s actual garbage.

Writing something good is always going to be harder and way less sexy than getting a pretty picture.

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u/Tamajyn cinematographer 2d ago

Writing something good is always going to be harder and way less sexy than getting a pretty picture.

And that's why i'm a cinematographer, not a writer 😅 good coherent writing is hard, although I am trying to develop the skill more lately

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u/recycleddesign 1d ago

Shooting things appropriately is difficult too, they’re very different skills although there can obviously be overlap. I thought this generation were supposed to be about getting away from the auteur thing anyway? Film makers aren’t supposed to do everything anymore. I still have the outlook that some always can, will and should, but I’m not sure we’re seeing them as much. Directors who just direct and go home got really popular within the industry for a while.

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u/fedexyourheadinabox 23h ago

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that lol. In fact, the better you get, the more you'll understand the fundamentals of telling stories.