The Film School Generation

(c) PBS America Cinema 

Remember my post about The Classic Hollywood Style? In my Cinema Class, we watched yet another episode of PBS' American Cinema - 100 Years of Filmmaking. This post will be about the 9th episode, The Film School Generation.  

PBS American Cinema Episode 9: The Film School Generation
(c) PBS American Cinema

At the end of the sixties, when the Hollywood studios are floundering, a group of young directors,  called the movie brats, came into power. These directors are George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Brian de Palma, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. These young directors changed the landscape of the Film Industry and made the blockbuster movies. But who, among these directors have the audience in mind while making their films? And who, on the other hand, have themselves in mind while making their films? And what are the effects of their film to the film industry and the art of cinema? Let's find out the answers. 

L-R Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Brian de Palma, 
Gerge Lucas, Francis Frod Coppola
photo from you offend me you offend my family

The directors who have the audience in mind:

George Lucas

Steven Spielberg

Brian de Palma

The directors who have himself in mind:

Martin Scorsese

Francis Coppola

Effects of their films to the industry and the art of cinema

Jaws directed by Steven Spielberg

Came from #1 bestselling novel so the studio gave a little topspin from the advertising program

The worldwide massive success of Jaws put the idea of a blockbuster movie

Watch the trailer here:

American Graffiti directed by George Lucas

The overall real American memory

Became a massive surprise his with a budget of $ 1 M dollar, it earned $ 55 M

It was an exercise in the raft of storytelling and character development

Usually shows parking lots while songs are playing

Developed depth-of-field

A kind of documentary-film in a dramatic context

Watch trailer here: 

The Rain People by Francis Ford Coppola

A lacrosse country journey

An existential heap to the unknown

THX1138 directed by George Lucas 

“It’s not a film from the future; it’s a film about the future.”

Watch trailer here:

Mean Streets directed by Martin Scorsese

Scorsese, before the production starts, knows every set up and every shot is all drawn out

Watch an excerpt from the film here:

Taxi Driver directed by Martin Scorsese

Has one of the most violent scenes in American Cinema

Watch trailer here:

Star Wars directed by Geroge Lucas

The movie that has product placements

First concept of movie franchise

Watch trailer of Episode IV: A New Hope here: 

Duel by Steven Spielberg

Was discovered to be loved overseas

watch trailer here: 

The Godfather directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Biggest grossing film of all time ($81 M)

watch trailer here: 

Apocalypse Now directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Taboo topic

Watch trailer here: 

Other  films that were mentioned

Francis Coppola

Apocalypse Now

Rain People

The Godfather

Steven Spielberg

Jaws

Duel

George Lucas

Electronic Labyrinth

THX  1138

Star Wars

American Graffiti

Martin Scorsese

Who’s that knocking at my door?

Mean Streets

New York, New York

Taxi Driver

Brian de Palma

Hi Mom

Sisters

Untouchables

Causalities of War

The movie brats undoubtedly changed the landscape of the film industry. The blockbuster movies were born, taboo topics were touched, storytelling was changed, depth-of-field was developed, movie franchise was born, product merchandises of films became available. Because of these directors, we now enjoy the kind of film industry we have today. 

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Source:
Jenkins, S. (Director). (1995). The Film School Generation [documentary episode]. In American Cinema- 100 Years of Filmmaking. Arlington: PBS.