Cary Fukunaga Quotes

Powerful Cary Fukunaga for Daily Growth

About Cary Fukunaga

Cary Joji Fukunaga is an accomplished American filmmaker, renowned for his distinctive storytelling abilities and versatile work across multiple genres. Born on March 11, 1981, in Oakland, California, to a Japanese-American family, Fukunaga's early life was marked by relocations due to his father's military service, which fostered a sense of adaptability and cultural exploration that would later influence his artistic perspective. Fukunaga's interest in filmmaking began at an early age, inspired by his love for cinema. He studied Film and English at Harvard University before moving on to the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory, where he honed his craft as a director. His graduation film, "Victoria Para Chino," won several awards, including the Student Academy Award. His professional career took off with the British television series "Sherlock Holmes." In 2014, Fukunaga made his feature film debut with "Sin Nombre" and followed it up with the critically acclaimed adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel, "Gone Girl," in 2014. His work on the Netflix series "Maniac" and "Beasts of No Nation" further solidified his position as a versatile storyteller. Fukunaga's works often delve into complex human emotions, societal issues, and the intersection of culture and identity, reflecting his unique life experiences. His adaptations, particularly "Gone Girl" and "Beasts of No Nation," have been praised for their nuanced portrayals of characters and thought-provoking narratives. Fukunaga continues to make significant contributions to the world of cinema, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating his future projects.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The camera is a tool for exploring the world."

This quote by Cary Fukunaga suggests that the camera is not just an instrument to capture images, but it serves as a means to delve deeper into our world, enabling us to perceive and understand it in ways we might not have noticed otherwise. It's a tool for exploration, a way to uncover the hidden beauty, intricacies, and stories that make up the fabric of our reality.

"Filmmaking is about emotion and making people feel something."

This quote by Cary Fukunaga emphasizes that filmmaking, at its core, is an art form dedicated to evoking emotions in audiences. By crafting compelling narratives, captivating visuals, and impactful performances, filmmakers seek to create a connection with viewers that transcends the screen. The ultimate goal of filmmaking, according to Fukunaga, lies not just in telling a story but in moving people, making them feel deeply, and leaving a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.

"You have to be willing to take risks and trust yourself."

This quote emphasizes the importance of courage and self-belief in pursuing one's aspirations. To achieve success, one must be prepared to venture into uncharted territories, challenge the status quo, and make bold decisions. The key message here is not just about taking risks but also about trusting oneself enough to make those choices, even when they are uncertain or challenging. This mindset fosters growth, resilience, and innovation, paving the way for personal and professional advancement.

"I think every filmmaker has a unique voice, and it's important to find yours."

Cary Fukunaga's quote underscores the significance of discovering one's distinctive style as a filmmaker. Every artist, whether in film or other mediums, has a unique perspective and approach that sets them apart. This individuality gives their work character, authenticity, and originality - qualities that resonate deeply with audiences. The process of finding this voice is crucial because it allows the filmmaker to express themselves honestly, create meaningful art, and ultimately contribute something new and valuable to the world of cinema.

"In cinema, there are no mistakes, only opportunities."

Cary Fukunaga's quote, "In cinema, there are no mistakes, only opportunities," implies that in filmmaking, every seemingly incongruous event or unexpected outcome can be turned into a valuable learning experience or creative opportunity to improve the final product. It suggests a mindset of adaptability and innovation, where setbacks or unforeseen circumstances are not viewed as failures, but rather as chances to refine the artistic vision and grow as a filmmaker.

Going from having an Atari to a laptop changed everything. It allows me to work anywhere I want and send my work home - I can work anywhere in the world.

- Cary Fukunaga

Work, Going, Having, Atari

My dad is from Japanese descent, my mom is from Swedish descent and, through marriages and divorces, a pretty multicultural family - a lot of Spanish speakers in the family.

- Cary Fukunaga

Through, Swedish, Spanish, Divorces

I have these plants in my house that are dying, so having a robot butler to water them when I'm away would be pretty handy.

- Cary Fukunaga

Pretty, Away, Having, Robot

Obviously, a lot of TV shows are based on chronological episode viewing, and the stories are contingent upon watching it in order. Syndicated shows, you don't have to watch in order. You're just watching characters that don't change that much.

- Cary Fukunaga

Stories, TV, Based, Contingent

When I was 20, I was living in the Alps, snowboarding and studying political science. I blew out my knee, and I began to realize my days in the sport were numbered; the reality was I would never be a pro.

- Cary Fukunaga

Living, Began, Snowboarding, Numbered

Tom Hooper had done 'John Adams,' and David Lynch did 'Twin Peaks.' I figured I could do eight hours of television, and I wanted to.

- Cary Fukunaga

Television, Hours, Could, None

'City of God' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' are both films that I really like, but they are stylistically the opposite of what I wanted to do.

- Cary Fukunaga

City, Like, Films, Stylistically

My ideas tend to be either really big in terms of like, the logistics, or really small.

- Cary Fukunaga

Small, Big, Tend, Logistics

When I see an image in my head that compels me, where there's this mystery about what's going to happen next or could happen next, I'll be intrigued. There are so many scripts that you read, and you know exactly what's going to happen, and there aren't too many where you can't tell within the first 20 pages where it's going.

- Cary Fukunaga

Next, Tell, About, Compels

The anticipation-speculation that comes with a weekly schedule is a double-edged sword. Because people have more time to talk about things, some crazy ideas get a lot of attention.

- Cary Fukunaga

Some, Double-Edged Sword, Sword

I began writing fictional stories and little screenplays when I was in fifth grade.

- Cary Fukunaga

Writing, Stories, Began, Fictional

To be straight, I was kind of a dork, and in order to fulfill the creative fires burning inside me, I participated vigorously as a Civil War re-enactor through most of my teenage years, traveling across the country to participate in large scale reenactments - grandiose plays enacted by over weight history buffs and war enthusiasts alike.

- Cary Fukunaga

Country, Through, Fulfill, Fires

Ed Norton is probably one of the smartest people I've ever met.

- Cary Fukunaga

People, Smartest, Ever, Norton

I do want to direct a movie from horseback one day.

- Cary Fukunaga

Want, Movie, One Day, Horseback

I love the idea of 3D, but it's completely superfluous to most stories.

- Cary Fukunaga

Love, Most, I Love, Superfluous

I love period pieces. But it's hard to get money to make costumed dramas, so we'll see.

- Cary Fukunaga

Love, Period, Period Pieces, Dramas

I think about a Richard Avedon photo series, the kind of faces he gets of real people, which I find so captivating. Fellini was also great in filling his films with this ambiance, this environment, sometimes chaotic and carnival-like, but people's faces were always amazing.

- Cary Fukunaga

I Think, Real People, About, Captivating

On 'Sin Nombre,' Adriano Goldman and I improvised a lot of things on-site. We were working with untrained actors, and you can't really block a scene in a traditional way.

- Cary Fukunaga

Traditional Way, Untrained, Block

I'm definitely sensitive to the idea of exploitation. You don't want to glamorize certain things.

- Cary Fukunaga

Definitely, Certain Things, Exploitation

I'm better suited to be a director, I think. I see myself as the general author. I hate the word 'auteur,' because it sounds so solitary when filmmaking is anything but solitary.

- Cary Fukunaga

Think, Director, I Think, Suited

An eight-hour movie is definitely not a two-hour movie. An eight-hour movie is really like five independent films, if you think about it, because each is usually an hour and a half. In some ways, it is like making a movie. It's just a lot more information.

- Cary Fukunaga

Some, Movie, Half, Hour And A Half

Casting directors I don't think are the best in Mexico at street casting. Whereas, I think, in New York and in L.A., that's more common; not so in Mexico. So it's up to you as a director in a lot of ways to go out and do that.

- Cary Fukunaga

Best, I Think, Directors, Casting Directors

My dad worked for a generator company and then UC Berkeley, and my mom was as a dental hygienist and then eventually a history teacher. My uncles and aunts, all of them are elementary school teachers or scientists.

- Cary Fukunaga

Mom, Dad, Generator, Aunts

I'm not a very sentimental person, so you're not going to find schmaltzy scenes in my movies.

- Cary Fukunaga

Movies, Going, Very, Sentimental

I live in Brooklyn, New York, and hail from the 'East Bay,' Oakland, CA.

- Cary Fukunaga

New, East, Oakland, Hail

New York is perfect for Tanizaki because it's filled with so many dark spaces.

- Cary Fukunaga

New York, New, Perfect, Spaces

My manager sent me the first two scripts for 'True Detective,' and I just thought they were so interesting and that the world they were depicting was so titillating to me.

- Cary Fukunaga

Thought, Manager, Scripts

It's a treat and daunting to be directing someone like Judi Dench, who's made more films than I'll ever make in my lifetime.

- Cary Fukunaga

Treat, Films, Dench, Daunting

In terms of tackling different subjects, I can't really think of anything I wouldn't want to try; that's the fun of it right? Each new style brings new challenges - not that you shouldn't focus on one and master it, but it takes so long to make a film, you just want to have some variety.

- Cary Fukunaga

Challenges, Some, Tackling, New Challenges

I've written immense love letters that are supposed to be opened over days at a time.

- Cary Fukunaga

Love, Over, Supposed, Love Letters

I used to always make art for girls. That was the thing I did for girls to like me. I did portraits, drawings, letters that formed outlines of significant things in our relationship. Art. I just used art in general. It usually worked.

- Cary Fukunaga

Art, Always, Outlines, Letters

Increasingly, there's much better material on television, but there's not always the time and money to make it, so you've got to make sure you make it in the right place. It also depends on time commitment; a lot of directors will make a pilot, but a series is just a whole other level of involvement.

- Cary Fukunaga

Other, Increasingly, Whole, Time And Money

My mom was married to a Mexican guy - a surfer - and so we'd kind of camp out on the beach the swell season.

- Cary Fukunaga

Mom, Kind, Guy, Camp

Some directors don't get involved in the cinematography and are just about story, but I'm definitely more tactile than that in terms of my involvement in the minutiae.

- Cary Fukunaga

More, Some, Tactile, Cinematography

I used to do Civil War re-enacting between the ages of 15 and 19. I was part of a unit that was considered very authentic. We would source the right wools, the right buttons for the costumes. We had the right look.

- Cary Fukunaga

Civil War, Very, Buttons, Costumes

I'm clearly not meant to be in front of the camera. I'm really not meant for anything but behind the camera.

- Cary Fukunaga

Behind, Clearly, Meant, Meant To Be

I was a big history buff as a teenager.

- Cary Fukunaga

History, Big, Buff, Teenager

'Sin Nombre' was almost like the adolescent version of 'Jane Eyre.' 'Jane Eyre' sort of picks up where 'Sin Nombre' ends. It's about this girl who starts off on her own at her lowest point of despair, and she figures out how she got there.

- Cary Fukunaga

Own, Almost, Figures, Adolescent

You work with the communities to make films. And you just don't go in and take over their territory.

- Cary Fukunaga

Over, Films, Take, Communities

I'm never more miserable than when I write, and never more happy than having finished and having it sitting in front of me.

- Cary Fukunaga

More, I Write, Having, Sitting

My mom loved the old black-and-white films.

- Cary Fukunaga

Loved, Old, Films, Black-And-White

One of my problems with a lot of things I watch is that everybody's too pretty, and it takes me out of the film because I'm thinking that all these people look like I've seen them in a cafe in Los Angeles.

- Cary Fukunaga

Thinking, Everybody, Seen, Cafe

Collaborations aren't easy, but you definitely get something highly different than had you done it on your own. That's part of the experience.

- Cary Fukunaga

Own, Part, Collaborations, Highly

With 'Sin Nombre,' there are parts that I wish were longer. And with 'Jane Eyre' especially, there were parts that I had to compress that I thought it would have been really nice to spend more time with - to spend with the characters.

- Cary Fukunaga

Thought, I Wish, Been, Compress

As storytellers, you're always somehow creating history.

- Cary Fukunaga

Creating, Always, Somehow, Storytellers

There's a lot of two-hander dialogue in 'True Detective,' and I needed to place those guys in locations where there were other levels of visual storytelling. It didn't necessarily have to move the plot forward, but it had to add tone or add to the overall feeling.

- Cary Fukunaga

Storytelling, Tone, Other, Visual Storytelling

It's easy to make something avant garde. To do something in the traditional way is much more brave in the sense that you're - your technique is so much more exposed because there's not all this flashy stuff to distract the viewer.

- Cary Fukunaga

Viewer, Traditional Way, Exposed

I think I learned discipline on 'Jane Eyre.' Charlotte Bronte's dialogue, the intellectual duel between Rochester and Jane Eyre's character, is so compelling that you didn't have to do much with the placement of cameras.

- Cary Fukunaga

Think, I Think, Learned, Duel

I wrote my first script, which was 50 pages, at age 15. It was about two brothers in love with the same nurse while they're convalescing in a Civil War hospital.

- Cary Fukunaga

Love, Civil War, Which, Nurse

The theoretical casting part of movies is the funnest part. You really can imagine so many different versions of a story based on who's embodying it.

- Cary Fukunaga

Imagine, Based, Theoretical, Casting

Literally, I don't have a television. So I don't really know what's happening pop-culturally. I read the 'New York Times.' And there's one worldwide cabin blog that I look at.

- Cary Fukunaga

New, Read, Literally, New York Times

I don't storyboard, and I don't really shot list. I let the shots be determined by how the actors and I figure out the blocking in a scene, and then from there, we cover it.

- Cary Fukunaga

Figure, Then, List, Blocking

I have a really good relationship with Focus Features; we had a wonderful time working together on 'Sin Nombre.'

- Cary Fukunaga

Focus, Wonderful, Had, Working Together

In a city like New York, especially for young professionals who aren't in a family situation, most people don't cook for themselves. This is the only city I've ever lived in where I eat out every night.

- Cary Fukunaga

City, Young, Professionals, Every Night

I think the semantics of mini-series for a network is that it has an end.

- Cary Fukunaga

End, Think, I Think, Semantics

So often at home in the West Village, I'm like, 'Why aren't I allowed a horse?' I would keep a horse in a stable in my apartment, and I would fit him with rubber shoes, and we'd just roll him out. If I needed to go to a meeting somewhere, I'd just get on my horse and go across town.

- Cary Fukunaga

Needed, Roll, Allowed, Stable

When I was a kid, I knew the black and white version of 'Jane Eyre,' and I guess I became interested in the idea of romantic love - of unrequited love and the tragedies of that; of what are the important things in life; what should one value over other materials.

- Cary Fukunaga

Love, Other, Became, Unrequited

I think the only reason people use PCs is because they have to. Mac is the most streamlined computer there is. I started using the Mac in college because I was doing editing, and they were the only computers we could use to do that.

- Cary Fukunaga

College, Think, Reason, Mac

It's so easy for shows to be gritty and handheld and shaky and really tight in people's faces.

- Cary Fukunaga

Easy, Shows, Gritty, Faces

I binge write, basically. I do a lot of prep, research, setup. I'll have a pretty detailed outline. Sort of like a beat outline. And then I'll add little notes and dialogue ideas, and I'll just create a 20-page document.

- Cary Fukunaga

Research, Notes, Document, Prep

After 'Sin Nombre,' I just needed to take a break to go to completely different worlds.

- Cary Fukunaga

Break, Needed, Worlds, Different Worlds

If you're directing, it doesn't really matter any more if it's going straight to TV - what matters is whether you have the resources to make a story that moves you.

- Cary Fukunaga

More, Going, TV, Directing

I wanted to make my sophomore film as different as possible. I didn't want to be pigeonholed. I didn't want to be identifiable.

- Cary Fukunaga

Want, Film, Wanted, Sophomore

No, ramen's not good for you. But in Japan, our favorite thing to do after drinking all night, especially in Sapporo where it's freezing cold, is to go to the ramen place at two, three in the morning.

- Cary Fukunaga

Night, Drinking, Japan, Freezing

I enjoy setting the scene and coming up with interesting frames. 'True Detective' was a very hands-on set.

- Cary Fukunaga

Very, Set, Frames, Detective

It's hard because there's a part of me that wants 'True Detective' to win every award we're nominated for. But I'm a huge fan of 'Breaking Bad' and 'Game of Thrones.'

- Cary Fukunaga

Game, Bad, Part, Detective

'True Detective' would not pass The Bechdel Test.

- Cary Fukunaga

Test, Pass, Would, Detective

I didn't grow up watching detective shows. I've never even seen an episode of 'CSI.'

- Cary Fukunaga

Grow, Watching, Episode, Detective

My grandma was really sick when I was working on 'Sin Nombre' and eventually died that summer when we were finishing the film. But I was able to bring an unfinished version of the film for her to watch.

- Cary Fukunaga

Sick, Bring, Eventually, Unfinished

Shakespeare is repeated around the world in different languages, just because it's good storytelling.

- Cary Fukunaga

Storytelling, Just Because, Shakespeare

I eventually want to do writing on all the films, but not necessarily to be the writer. Writing is a painful, painful thing; it really is.

- Cary Fukunaga

Writing, Want, Films, Painful

The problem with being a writer/director: unless you're really disciplined, you start adding projects, and you have to make time to make them. Because you have to write them... no one else is writing them for me.

- Cary Fukunaga

Start, Projects, Disciplined, The Problem With

When you have a script, and you're discussing what it can be, and who going to play what role, that's a kind of like a fantasy football game. You can imagine these different dream teams interpreting these characters that only exist in your head.

- Cary Fukunaga

Game, Play, Role, Football Game

I think any character has to be well-rounded, whether they are male or female - they have to be complex and make choices that maybe we don't agree with, you know? I guess that's what makes them human.

- Cary Fukunaga

Think, Maybe, I Think, Female

I was imagining films in my head and trying to gather friends together to make movies since I was a kid. I tried to do comedy skits and a horror film.

- Cary Fukunaga

Comedy, Horror, Films, Gather

I'll definitely say that, before film school, I didn't have much of a film-history background. I didn't know much about classic cinema.

- Cary Fukunaga

Before, About, Film School, Cinema

In TV, you have no time and sort of just carpet bomb the scene with as many angles as possible as quickly as possible and find it in the edit.

- Cary Fukunaga

Angles, No Time, TV, Carpet

You need the actors to feel as much ownership of the performance and the direction of the story as you do to get the most out of everyone's potential. Part of it is just making sure we all have the same vision.

- Cary Fukunaga

Need, Making, Sure, Potential

I think I have this field around me that makes electronics work bad. It's not like an entropy thing; it happens very quickly.

- Cary Fukunaga

Think, Electronics, Very, Entropy

Writing, for me, is an inherent part of understanding the material on a deeper level.

- Cary Fukunaga

Writing, Level, Material, Deeper

I have no idea what it would be like to be just one thing and speak one language. I feel enormously privileged to travel and be able to mingle and speak to people that, had I only known English, I wouldn't have been able to meet.

- Cary Fukunaga

Feel, Idea, Been, No Idea

There are elements to the 19th century which just don't work for contemporary audiences.

- Cary Fukunaga

Work, Which, Century, Contemporary

I don't really put trophies out. I don't keep trophies around my apartment.

- Cary Fukunaga

Keep, Around, Trophies, Apartment

To do action without cuts is infinitely more exciting.

- Cary Fukunaga

More, Exciting, Infinitely, Cuts

It's rare that you can promote a love story and feel fear in a film.

- Cary Fukunaga

Love, Love Story, Rare, Promote

'Victoria Para Chino,' my 2nd-year film at NYU, gave birth to 'Sin Nombre.'

- Cary Fukunaga

Birth, Victoria, Gave, NYU

'Jane Eyre' was one of those films that I was familiar with as a kid, and I always enjoyed the story.

- Cary Fukunaga

Kid, Always, Films, Familiar

I'd done the method bit before from, like, age 15 to 19. I was a Civil War re-enactor.

- Cary Fukunaga

Civil War, Before, Method, Civil

Every single substitute teacher growing up could not pronounce my name, so whenever someone pauses, I'm like, 'Oh, that's me.'

- Cary Fukunaga

Like, Could, Substitute, Pronounce

Have you seen McConaughey in 'Unsolved Mysteries?' Even back then, it's a great performance! And he's mowing the lawn.

- Cary Fukunaga

Back, Mysteries, Then, Performance

I'm not Mexican, and I'm not Central American. I'm from California.

- Cary Fukunaga

American, Mexican, Central, California

Sundance took me on my first film and from there sort of launched my career.

- Cary Fukunaga

Me, Career, Took, Sundance

I want to have a nice country home one day, yeah.

- Cary Fukunaga

Want, Country, One Day, Yeah

I like characters that make choices and try to drive their own fate.

- Cary Fukunaga

Fate, Like, Characters, Try

I don't believe happiness comes out of material gain, for sure.

- Cary Fukunaga

Happiness, Sure, Material, Gain

I've certainly never been dying to go to England my entire life.

- Cary Fukunaga

Never, England, Certainly, Entire Life

There's nothing I find more lazy than unmotivated camerawork just to make things look interesting.

- Cary Fukunaga

Interesting, Nothing, More, Lazy

My friends just make fun of me in some shape or form.

- Cary Fukunaga

Me, Some, Form, Shape

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