Overview
Quentin Tarantino discusses his filmmaking philosophy, creative process, storytelling style, influences, and directing techniques, highlighting the personal and artistic depth behind his movies.
Approach to Filmmaking
- Tarantino creates films aiming for strong audience reactions and memorable cinematic experiences.
- He visualizes the entire movie in his mind before production starts.
- Inspiration during writing often leads his stories in unexpected directions.
- Personal experiences and emotions are embedded in his work, though sometimes concealed within genre conventions.
- He treats his films as personal autobiographies disguised in unique storytelling settings.
Writing and Dialogue
- His writing skills developed through acting classes, crafting and expanding scenes for performances.
- Tarantino applies acting techniques to writing, conveying authentic emotions and experiences in dialogue.
- He never took formal writing courses, learning instead from acting and personal exploration.
Storytelling Style
- He prefers non-linear narratives inspired by the structure of novels, finding them inherently more cinematic.
- Chronological storytelling is seen as less dynamic and visually engaging.
Directing Actors
- Tarantino emphasizes deep knowledge of his material over technical filmmaking expertise.
- He believes directors should be close to actors during scenes, fostering more intimate and focused performances.
- Collaboration and mutual exploration with actors are central to his directing style.
Filmmaking Techniques
- Fight scenes are organized in progressive, organic sequences to maintain continuity and realism.
- He adapts techniques from Hong Kong cinema for shooting action scenes, prioritizing authenticity.
- On-set flexibility allows costume and set changes to happen naturally during continuous action.
Influences and Music
- Sergio Leone is cited as his most significant artistic influence, particularly for operatic qualities and set-piece direction.
- Music selection is integral to his process; he often licenses existing tracks rather than commissions original scores.
- Collaboration with Ennio Morricone marked a shift toward original scoring in some projects.
Personal and Artistic Vision
- Tarantino sees each film as a new, distinct artistic conversation with his audience.
- Building a filmography reflects ongoing personal growth and evolving vision.
- He feels blessed to work as a genuine artist, emphasizing dedication and passion within his crew.
- Writing and filmmaking are deeply personal journeys starting from a blank page.
Decisions
- Continue using licensed music selections: Tarantino prefers licensing music over hiring new composers unless a project distinctly calls for an original score.
- Maintain intimate directing approach: He commits to staying close to actors during performances instead of monitoring from a distance.
Action Items
- TBD – Tarantino/Crew: Continue developing unique storytelling and filming techniques for future projects.
- TBD – Tarantino: Consider introducing further surprises or innovations in his next film to challenge audience expectations.