RIP Gene Wilder: How the Legend Changed Comedy
Looking back at some of the most memorable performances in a brilliant career.
Gene Wilder, comedy legend and star of classics such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Young Frankenstein, died Monday at the age of 83. According to Variety, the star's nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, said the actor died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Stanford, Connecticut. In a statement, Pearlman (an Independent Spirit-nominated filmmaker for The Visit) said, according to the A.P., that although Wilder had been diagnosed with the disease three years ago, he did not disclose his condition because he "simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world."
Born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1933, the actor developed his comic talents at an early age. According to Biography, "his mother, Jeanne, was often ill from complications from rheumatic heart disease, and a doctor warned the eight-year-old Jerome, 'Don't ever argue with your mother... you might kill her. Try to make her laugh.'" Wilder heeded the advice, and after catching the acting bug, he studied theater and fencing at the legendary Old Vic in Bristol, England. His first role was as a hostage in the groundbreaking 1967 Arthur Penn film Bonnie and Clyde, a movie that was in many ways a herald of the New Hollywood of the '70s (and had originally been set to be directed by French new wave auteur Jean-Luc Godard).
At age 26, he had changed his name to Gene Wilder, derived from the character Gene in Thomas Wolfe's novel Look Homeward, Angel, and the playwright Thornton Wilder. During a production of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children, Wilder met Anne Bancroft, Mel Brooks' girlfriend and future wife. Brooks and Wilder forged a friendship and Brooks cast Wilder in his second role, starring opposite the legendary Zero Mostel in in The Producers.
Though the film was a flop, Wilder was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and was cast in one of his most legendary performances: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's book. It was a subversive movie for children that had a stinging bite and gained him a legion of young fans.
Wilder reunited with Brooks for two genre-bending films in 1974: the Western unlike any other, Blazing Saddles, and the horror comedy Young Frankenstein, in which he played the American relative of the original Dr. Frankenstein. As a co-writer with Brooks, Wilder received his second Academy Award nomination.
The actor would go on to make several films with Richard Pryor, as well as to marry comedic legend Gilda Radner in 1984. After her death in 1989 from ovarian cancer, Wilder started the charity organization Gilda's Club. In 1999, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and largely disappeared from the movie business.
"I love acting, especially if it's a fantasy of some kind," Wilder once said. His singular contributions to the art of comedy helped revolutionize the form in the '70s as much as Saturday Night Live. He will be missed.
10 Directing Lessons From Yasujirō Ozu
Ozu always kept it simple, beautiful, and deep.
Yasujirō Ozuu, a name synonymous with the golden era of Japanese cinema, has inspired filmmakers and cinephiles across generations. His approach to storytelling, framing, and character development offers a treasure trove of lessons for aspiring directors.
In this post, we delve into ten of his most influential techniques.
Let's get started.
1. The Importance of "Ma" (Negative Space)
Ozu’s use of "ma," or negative space, in his compositions teaches us about the power of what is not shown. His frames often feature empty spaces that speak volumes, encouraging viewers to engage more deeply with the scene.
2. Low and High Camera Angles
Ozu's signature low camera angles, often at the eye level of a seated person, create an intimate perspective. This approach invites the audience into the world of the characters, making the experience more immersive.
His high camera angles of buildings, bird's eye views, and static scenery shots emphasize a world that changes before our eyes.
3. Minimal Camera Movement
In stark contrast to contemporary filmmaking, Ozu often used a static camera. This technique forces the viewer to focus on the subtleties of the performance and the composition of each frame.
4. The Pillow Shot
Ozu frequently inserted "pillow shots," short, transitional scenes of nature, everyday objects, or settings, to create a contemplative pause in the narrative. This technique allows for a moment of reflection and emphasizes the environment's role in the story.
5. Restrained Editing
Ozu’s editing style is marked by its restraint. He often avoided conventional editing techniques like cross-cutting, instead opting for straight cuts that offer a more straightforward, contemplative flow.
6. Finding The Profound in the Everyday
Ozu's films often revolve around everyday life and simple stories, yet they touch on profound themes like family dynamics, the passage of time, and the clash of tradition and modernity.
7. Subtle Performances
Ozu directed his actors to deliver understated performances, believing that subtlety could convey deep emotions more effectively than overt drama.
8. Set Design
Ozu's meticulous set designs were integral to his storytelling. He carefully arranged every object in the frame to reflect the characters' inner lives and the film’s broader themes.
9. The Beauty of Simplicity
Ozu teaches us the beauty of simplicity in both storytelling and visual composition. His films, devoid of complex plot twists or elaborate cinematography, capture the essence of the narrative through simple yet powerful means.
10. Respect the Audience
Ozu respected his audience's intelligence, never over-explaining or spoon-feeding the story. He believed in the viewer’s ability to piece together the narrative and find personal meaning in it.
Yasujirō Ozu’s filmmaking philosophy transcends time and cultural boundaries, offering universal lessons for directors. His emphasis on simplicity, subtlety, and the profound in the everyday makes his work a continuous source of inspiration and learning.
It's amazing to have art like his to study and breakdown as we emotionally connect with its storytelling.
Now go watch his films and take these lessons into your own work.