PRODUCTION JOURNAL: Happy Birthday, John Cassavetes - 12.9.13

Today John Cassavetes would have been 84.  Aside from watching all of his films in an all-day or week-long marathon, there is no better way to pay homage to the godfather of American indie films then by learning from his words and his methods.  Below are excerpts and documentaries on the making of many of his films like Husbands, A Woman Under the Influence, Shadows and more.

John Nicholas Cassavetes (in Greek: Ιωάννης Νικόλαος Κασσαβέτης; December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989) was an American actor, film director and screenwriter. He acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Dirty Dozen (1967). Cassevetes was also a pioneer of American independent film by writing and directing over a dozen movies, some of which he partially self-financed, and which pioneered the use of improvisation and a realistic cinéma vérité style.  He studied acting with Don Richardson, using an acting technique based on muscle memory. ~~ Wikipedia


 



Here are excerpts from Ray Carney's investigations and analysis of Cassavetes history, artistry and filmmaking methods. Whether one seeks practical lessons or motivational inspiration, there is much to learn from Cassavetes:

• on the making of Shadows
• on the making of Husbands
• on the making of A Woman Under the Influence
• on the making of Gloria

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