Posts Tagged ‘George A. Romero’

Legendary director/writer George A. Romero

For those of you who are into filmmaking, or are even in the filmmaking business, the latest edition of MovieMaker magazine (issue 86, vol. 17) contains a bit of information that should be fairly useful. That information is advice given by legendary horror director George A. Romero that comes from lessons he has learned over a 40 year career. The relevance of his words come from him recently releasing his newest film Survival of the Dead, which you can view via pay-per-view and video on demand, as well as at theaters in select cities.

His advice is split up into 10 tips that are applicable to anyone who is or is looking to be a director of movies. Here is a taste.

1. SHOW, DON’T TELL – “First drafts of my earliest screenplays always came in at 300-plus pages. I used to think that a thought unwritten was a thought lost. I learned that new and better thoughts come once you’ve had a chance to think about what you’ve written and then – rewrite. My producing partner, a wonderful editor, taught me that thoughts on the page should be precise and well contemplated, or they wind up wasting time and money.”

3. KNOW AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT EVERY CREW MEMBER’S SPECIALTY – “You will better appreciate a good job, and you won’t be ripped off by a DP [director of photography] who requisitions an outrageously expensive equipment package.”

9. COLLABORATE, DON’T DICTATE – Every department head has something to offer. Listen and gratefully accept their offerings. They’re moviemakers, too.”

For the full list of Romero’s tips, click here.