"The camera is much more than a recording device. It's a sculptural medium. Italic text It allows you to shape reality as you see it."
The quote highlights that the camera serves a purpose beyond just recording moments; it's also an artistic tool, or what Haskell Wexler refers to as a "sculptural medium." By framing shots, choosing angles, lighting, and other creative decisions, filmmakers can manipulate and interpret reality in their own unique way, thereby shaping it according to their vision. Essentially, the quote emphasizes that cinema is an art form where the director/cinematographer has significant control over how they present the world on screen, allowing them to mold reality based on their perspective.
"A good visual effect can enhance a story. A bad visual effect can ruin a film."
This quote underscores the importance of special effects in filmmaking while emphasizing their quality over quantity. Haskell Wexler suggests that well-crafted visual effects can enrich a narrative by providing immersive experiences or amplifying storytelling elements, but poorly executed effects can detract from a movie's overall impact and potentially undermine its intended message or emotional resonance.
"To make a great film, you need three things — the script, the script, and the script."
Haskell Wexler emphasizes that the most crucial aspect for creating an exceptional film is the script. In other words, a compelling storyline is the backbone of any successful movie. No matter how talented the cast or crew, without a strong script, a great film cannot be achieved.
"I've always felt that if I'm not risking something, I'm not doing my job as an artist."
Haskell Wexler's quote emphasizes the role of risk-taking in artistic expression. He suggests that the pursuit of art should involve pushing boundaries, taking chances, and challenging oneself, as this is what truly defines the creative process. This perspective underscores the idea that innovation and growth are crucial aspects of being an artist, requiring a willingness to take risks and explore new ideas to create impactful and meaningful work.
"A movie is not finished until it's seen by an audience."
Haskell Wexler's quote emphasizes that a film isn't truly complete until it has been viewed by its intended audience. This perspective underscores the subjective nature of cinematic art, suggesting that a movie's meaning and impact are not solely determined by the creators, but also shaped by viewers' interpretations and emotional responses. The quote encourages filmmakers to consider the audience during the creative process, ensuring their work resonates beyond the confines of the production studio.
I was a sailor. I was torpedoed, spent two weeks in a lifeboat. I was on the Murmansk run; I worked a 20 mm. machine gun, helped bring down a Stuka, all that kind of stuff. I've got letters from Franklin Roosevelt for things I did then. But those kind of credentials didn't work for you in the Cold War.
- Haskell Wexler
Employers will work you longer for less money and under questionable safety conditions because it is their duty to prioritize the bottom line. As individuals, we cannot complain. That's why we need a union to speak for us, certainly when our safety, our health, and our very lives are at stake!
- Haskell Wexler
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