For the audio file for my interview please visit the site below:
For a transcribed version of this interview please visit the site below:
"Filmmaking is always sort of building a mosaic of this arc of what the character is going through." - Matthew Fox
A: I believe the most important thing I’ve learned from my interview is the fact that their is a largely noticeable difference between a “technical” director and “emotional” director. Most directors of today’s modern film era typically only care about the aspect of visuals on screen: the special effects, cinematography, and “cool camera tricks.” These directors were brought up through their skills to be technicians on set: cameramen, editors, cinematographers, etc. However, to fully grasp the concept of being a phenomenal filmmaker, one must make use of what they have in order to pull the characters from the script and from their actors in order to convey the raw emotion that the person on screen is feeling. “Emotional” directors make great usage of all the technicalities in order to convey the way audience should feel in relation to what the characters are going through on screen. Although, explosions and cars may be “cool”, it is up to a true director to give the audience what they long for, a relationship with the character.
I feel that for future interviews I would change a couple of questions in relative to who I interview next in order to fit their position of expertise in the industry. I felt that I was prepared for this interview, and rather enjoyed discussing something I am so passionate about so that I may better myself.
This is a picture of Louis Fossum, Professor of Cinematic Arts at Cal Poly Pomona, from his IMDb page.
2.) Did I get additional resources and contacts? What is the most useful? Why?
A: I was able to get a resource for further exploration for my craft of filmmaking. The book is called “The Total Filmmaker” by Jerry Lewis and was published in 1971. He also gave me two contacts for people within the industry: Nate Thomas and Linda Basesti. Nate Thomas is an old friend of Professor Fossum that is currently the head of the Film/TV department at Cal State Northridge. In the past, Professor Fossum sent some of his students that wanted to study filmmaking to Nate, in order to receive the proper training to become phenomenal storytellers through film. Linda Basesti is the director of the actors and actresses in the drama department at Cal Poly Pomona. She, as of today, still receives job offers to act on professional Film/TV sets. Fossum said that she’d be a good asset since she can attest what it feels like to be on the actresses’ side of the camera.
I believe that the most useful resource that was given to me was the book by Jerry Lewis. Prof. Fossum explained in the interview how this book really focuses on the art of directing and how to pull a performance from the actor in an efficient and meaningful way. He even stated that some of the highly acclaimed directors, such as Steven Spielberg, consider this to be the “filmmakers’ bible”. I feel that with this book, I could learn a lot on how to self-improve as a upcoming novice movie maker that could one day professionally carry out the task of turning fiction into reality on a silver screen.
This is the book that Professor Fossum recommended I read.
3.) What makes my interviewee qualified to help me?
A: Professor Fossum has had a long lived film/TV career as an actor in the industry. He hung up his “tap shoes” as a performer and retired into the field of academia where he currently teaches cinematic arts courses at Cal Poly Pomona. In addition, he had priorly provided me with understanding knowledge of techniques used in classic films during two of courses I was able to participate in as a student for two different quarters.
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