For our final week of screenings in my 70's Film & Culture classes, we watched John Carpenter's 1976 classic Assault on Precinct 13. Although I usually hesitate to put the director's name before the title in referring to a film (knowing the collaborative effort that leads to the finished product), in this case I feel very comfortable highlighting that this is Carpenter's vision. He wrote, directed and edited it--and composed the unforgettable score. And while some might argue--as did a few students in my class--that his later work is better and more polished, I find this early work--even with its flaws--one of my all-time favorites. Every second of the film oozes with Carpenter's love for cinema, music and storytelling.
I contacted Carpenter to see if he could perhaps share some thoughts with our class. Here are my questions and his answers. Thanks to his assistant Sean for helping to make it happen:
1) I'm encouraging my students to not think of our course as a
history course, but rather to consider how the 70's connects with
today's issues and concerns. As a filmmaker, what is important to
you? Why do you choose certain projects over others?
2) When you look back at Assault on Precinct 13, a very early work,
what does it mean to you?
3) How would you describe the period of the 70's, as a filmmaker
and as an American?
4) What advice can you offer young storytellers as they begin their
professional lives?
TO: Francine Sanders
FROM: John Carpenter
RE: 70's Film & Culture
1) I choose projects for myself for two basic reasons: one, there is
something in the story that resonates for me personally, and, two, I
think I can do a good job with one or more sequences in the script.
Often a particular actor will attract me. If a script is well written, it is attractive. If I've written something myself, I have a feel for what needs to be done as a director.
2) ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 was a retro movie, a throwback to an
earlier time in American cinema. Some of the action scenes were brutal, but essentially this is an 1940's or 1950's action western with a little noir thrown in. A lot of old Hollywood movies are 'quoted' in the movie, mostly from Howard Hawks films. I was young at the time and it seemed like a good idea.
3) America in the 70's was in turmoil, from Watergate to the oil
shocks to the Iranian revolution. Moviemaking was, for the most part, pretty tame except for exploitation movies. The 60's new wave had passed. We had THE STING and Charles Bronson action movies. Disaster films were popular, the ultimate being THE TOWERING INFERNO. STAR WARS came along in the later 70's. In a way, the 70's were a template for modern movies except there were very few pop culture references.
4) My advice to young filmmakers is to try and get into a film
school. Failing that, start making your own projects using consumer video cameras and editing. Learn the language of cinema. And stay with it.
John Carpenter
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Looking Back
In recent weeks, my 70's students--and I--had the privilege of hearing from some of our Flashpoint faculty and staff regarding their own experiences of life in the 70's. A couple of weeks ago, Dean Charles Jones and Game Faculty Darryl Hughes shared some reflections on their experiences as young black men seeing images such as John Shaft explode on the screen for the first time. I've heard Charles say this before and it still resonates as I write this: When he walked out of the theatre after watching Shaft, he "felt a little taller."
Last week, Recording Arts Faculty Jeff Kliment shared his experiences from his days living in the Castro in 70's San Francisco. This, too, was a special experience for the students--and me.
In an upcoming post, I will be sharing some thoughts on the decade from John Carpenter (who responded to my questions regarding Assault on Precinct 13 and filmmaking in the 70's), and previously included a response from legendary DP Haskell Wexler (who shot another film in our lineup, Coming Home.) But after experiencing the sessions with Charles, Darryl and Jeff, I was reminded that I don't have to go far to get thoughtful and inspiring insights.
Here's what Jeff had to say about stopping into the 70's classes:
On Monday and Wednesday of this week, I attended three sections of the 70’s Film and Culture course to discuss my experience during that decade as it relates to the Gay Liberation movement. The primary cinematic reference was the film “Milk,” much of which is set in 1978, the year I moved to San Francisco. The classes also saw related newsreel and documentary footage, which provided additional context. Francine Sanders invited me to give the students a personal perspective.
Speaking to the students was an interesting experience that definitely took me out of my comfort zone, especially in John Otterbacher’s section, which includes many Recording Arts students. However, the students were engaged and receptive, and in John’s section there was a lively discussion after my initial presentation, so I needn’t have worried. I also received a “thank you” email from one of Francine’s students.
Preparing my remarks beforehand was obviously nostalgic, but it also gave me a chance to reflect on all that has happened since that time. Having just returned to Chicago after spending thirty years in San Francisco, I have a particularly interesting perspective on the movement as it relates to geographical location. I am now able to compare not only the past and the present, but the two parallel, yet different, trajectories of Gay Liberation in two very different American cities.
Without repeating all of my remarks here in this summary, it is worth noting that my gateway into the world of gay culture was through literature. It was through reading that I gained a sense of community. I came of age in the 70’s, a time when gay literature was flourishing, and the bookstores that I found in San Francisco became the key to finding my sense of self-worth and my place in the world.
1978 was a pivotal year for the movement, the end of a very brief period of celebration and in may ways the beginning of the longer struggle for true liberation, which continues today. Harvey Milk showed us the way and gave his life for all of us who now follow in his footsteps. In a sense, my life straddles the “before and after” of the Gay Liberation movement, and that is the perspective I brought to the classroom this week.
Coming out is an ongoing process – every time we gay people meet someone new, this process is part of developing the relationship. This week, I took a significant step in allowing a large number of students to see a part of myself that they might not otherwise be aware of. Much more than just a history lesson, it was a good opportunity for all of us to learn a little more about each other and about ourselves as well. The 70’s Film and Culture course was the perfect forum and I am grateful for this opportunity.
Last week, Recording Arts Faculty Jeff Kliment shared his experiences from his days living in the Castro in 70's San Francisco. This, too, was a special experience for the students--and me.
In an upcoming post, I will be sharing some thoughts on the decade from John Carpenter (who responded to my questions regarding Assault on Precinct 13 and filmmaking in the 70's), and previously included a response from legendary DP Haskell Wexler (who shot another film in our lineup, Coming Home.) But after experiencing the sessions with Charles, Darryl and Jeff, I was reminded that I don't have to go far to get thoughtful and inspiring insights.
Here's what Jeff had to say about stopping into the 70's classes:
On Monday and Wednesday of this week, I attended three sections of the 70’s Film and Culture course to discuss my experience during that decade as it relates to the Gay Liberation movement. The primary cinematic reference was the film “Milk,” much of which is set in 1978, the year I moved to San Francisco. The classes also saw related newsreel and documentary footage, which provided additional context. Francine Sanders invited me to give the students a personal perspective.
Speaking to the students was an interesting experience that definitely took me out of my comfort zone, especially in John Otterbacher’s section, which includes many Recording Arts students. However, the students were engaged and receptive, and in John’s section there was a lively discussion after my initial presentation, so I needn’t have worried. I also received a “thank you” email from one of Francine’s students.
Preparing my remarks beforehand was obviously nostalgic, but it also gave me a chance to reflect on all that has happened since that time. Having just returned to Chicago after spending thirty years in San Francisco, I have a particularly interesting perspective on the movement as it relates to geographical location. I am now able to compare not only the past and the present, but the two parallel, yet different, trajectories of Gay Liberation in two very different American cities.
Without repeating all of my remarks here in this summary, it is worth noting that my gateway into the world of gay culture was through literature. It was through reading that I gained a sense of community. I came of age in the 70’s, a time when gay literature was flourishing, and the bookstores that I found in San Francisco became the key to finding my sense of self-worth and my place in the world.
1978 was a pivotal year for the movement, the end of a very brief period of celebration and in may ways the beginning of the longer struggle for true liberation, which continues today. Harvey Milk showed us the way and gave his life for all of us who now follow in his footsteps. In a sense, my life straddles the “before and after” of the Gay Liberation movement, and that is the perspective I brought to the classroom this week.
Coming out is an ongoing process – every time we gay people meet someone new, this process is part of developing the relationship. This week, I took a significant step in allowing a large number of students to see a part of myself that they might not otherwise be aware of. Much more than just a history lesson, it was a good opportunity for all of us to learn a little more about each other and about ourselves as well. The 70’s Film and Culture course was the perfect forum and I am grateful for this opportunity.
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