10 Filmmaking Tips from Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick was probably the most calculated filmmaker of all time. The guy had ways he wanted things to happen, and he did them over and over again until they happened that exact way. Kubrick is frequently cited as one of the greatest filmmakers in cinematic history. His films cover a wide range of genres and are noted for their realism, dark humor, unique cinematography, extensive set designs, and evocative use of music. His filmography includes such classics as A Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (1975), The Shining (1980), Full Metal Jacket (1987), and Eyes Wide Shut (1999). 

There's so much we can learn from Kubrick, so let's dive in together. 

Check out this video from Outstanding Screenplays and let's talk after. 

10 Filmmaking Tips from Stanley Kubrick

1. The most challenging part about directing a film is getting out of the car.

 This is one of Kubrick's most famous quotes. It speaks to the bravery of baring your soul and taking on the creation of a movie. If you're going forward, make sure when you get out of the car, you're ready for such a challenge. Be open to showing the world what you have and telling them why you're there. 

2. Let the film speak for itself.

At the end of the day, you can talk to the press and tell people what it should be, but the end product should speak for itself. Don't over-explain, let your work share who you are and what you believe. 

3. Your film should touch areas that people don’t want touched sometimes.

This is awkward phrasing, but I think the sense is to be a provocateur. Go places people are afraid of and pull out aspects of humanity that others have ignored. It's your job as a filmmaker to tell the truth, so don't be afraid to talk about the things others want to be buried. It could create the best conversation with the audience. 

4. When choosing what story to tell, there’s a lot of factors to consider, but in the end, similarly to falling in love, your decision comes down to an abstract feeling you can’t explain.

I tell people this all the time—you shouldn't start writing an idea unless you know how it ends. To truly fall in love with a project, you have to be able to see it through and understand the way it moves. Once you do, don't hold back. Write it and make it in a way where we see your love on screen. 

5. Genius is 90% hard work.

These people we put on pedestals, like Kubrick, were not just born with it. They have to work hard all the time to get there. And so do you.

Put in the effort. Don't expect it to just come. The more you hone the craft, the more you get out of it. 

6. In-depth problem solving is similar to problem-solving of anything. Create a generalized approach to solving tough problems when writing and directing.

Always tackle a project with a strategy. Identify the genre, characters, and the beats you know have to be in there. Tackle things like theme and story as you go. Be willing to build and work at it. The lessons you learn on each project can be applied to the next.

Filmmaking is problem-solving. You get better as you go. 

7. Try to understand the potential of what movies could be and believe that cinema has no boundaries.

Cinema is a universal language. Kubrick's ideas have transported people all over the world and brought us all closer. When you know you're speaking to a global audience, create things that can resonate with everyone. Universal themes can make your stuff more accessible and help you build a career. 

8. Make a film with the resources available to you, then learn from your own mistakes and correct them in your next one.

Stop focusing on what you don't have and then rely on what you do. You can be a filmmaker as long as you have any kind of camera. Get the story right and the budgets and extras will follow on subsequent work. Write what you know, see, and can use in the immediate surroundings. Be okay building your career one block at a time, instead of skipping to the top. 

9. Direct the eye and the heart.

Kubrick is often talked about for his deliberate shots and ideas. It was not just about looks, but emotions too. He was picking those shots and themes because he knew they would move the audience in certain directions. Focus on both the heart and the mind. Think about who you're speaking to and why. 

10. Ask yourself all the tough questions about your film before writing and making it.

Work hard to actually sharpen the idea before making it. Run it past friends, bulletproof it so that you don't feel like you're working for naught. Concentrate on the details and create blocks that can make a sturdy foundation for your success. 

Source: Outstanding Screenplays