Mike Figgis Quotes

Powerful Mike Figgis for Daily Growth

About Mike Figgis

Michael Figgis, born on May 8, 1946, in London, England, is a versatile British filmmaker who has made significant contributions to the world of cinema as a director, writer, producer, composer, and actor. Figgis began his career in the late 1960s as a jazz musician, performing with bands such as The Alan Price Set. However, his passion for storytelling led him to co-found the London Film-Makers' Co-op, where he started experimenting with avant-garde filmmaking techniques. In the 1980s, Figgis transitioned into feature films, directing and writing acclaimed British films like "Stormy Monday" (1988) and "Internal Affair" (1990). These works showcased his unique approach to storytelling, often using unconventional techniques such as shooting scenes in a single take. One of Figgis' most notable works is the experimental film "Timecode" (2000), which tells four interconnected stories through four synchronized quadrants of a single video frame. The film was shot using four synchronous cameras and showcases Figgis' innovative approach to narrative structure. Figgis's works are heavily influenced by his background in music, with many of his films featuring original soundtracks he composed himself. His love for jazz is particularly evident in "Liebestraum" (1991) and "Hotel" (2004), which were both improvisational pieces inspired by the world of jazz music. Throughout his career, Figgis has been recognized for his innovative storytelling techniques and unique approach to filmmaking. He has won several awards, including a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay for "Stormy Monday." Today, he continues to push boundaries in the world of cinema with his latest project, "Suspect," a TV series that explores the concept of truth in the digital age.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The camera is a instrument that teaches people to see."

Mike Figgis' quote emphasizes the transformative power of photography and filmmaking on our perception of the world. By using a camera, we learn to observe and interpret our surroundings in new ways, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the visual world around us. This quote underscores the idea that the medium not only captures moments but also influences how we perceive, understand, and engage with them.

"Filmmaking isn't just about capturing reality; it's about creating an emotional truth."

Mike Figgis emphasizes that filmmaking is not merely a recording of reality but rather a crafting of emotional authenticity. This quote suggests that the purpose of film goes beyond documentary-style representation, focusing instead on eliciting genuine emotions from viewers through storytelling. The process involves creating a vivid and compelling narrative that resonates with audiences emotionally, making them feel a truth that may not be immediately apparent in reality.

"Movies have always been about emotions, and emotions are universal."

Mike Figgis' statement suggests that movies serve to convey universal human emotions, rather than focusing solely on specific stories or cultural contexts. By tapping into the shared emotional experiences of people worldwide, films can create powerful connections among audiences regardless of their backgrounds or locations. This universal understanding transcends language, culture, and geography, making cinema a potent medium for empathy and human connection.

"I think if you start out in filmmaking with a message to impart or something to say, it can often become preachy."

This quote suggests that when filmmakers prioritize delivering a specific message or idea (often political or moral) over the art of storytelling itself, their work can become didactic, or "preachy." Figgis implies that a successful piece of cinema should first engage audiences through compelling narratives and visuals, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions or interpretations. A message or theme may emerge organically from this process, but it should not be the driving force behind the work. Instead, it's more effective when it serves as a natural outgrowth of the story itself.

"It's not the equipment that makes the difference. It's the eye behind the camera."

This quote emphasizes that the skill, creativity, and vision of a photographer are more important than the tools or equipment they use. The "eye behind the camera" refers to the artist's ability to compose compelling images, understand lighting, and capture emotions effectively, which ultimately defines the quality of their work. In essence, the quote highlights that talent and technique matter more than technical gadgets in creating great photography.

In a way, the history of jazz's development is a small mirror of classical music's development through the centuries. Now jazz is a living form of original music, while classical music has gotten to the end of its cycle in terms of exploring its form.

- Mike Figgis

Small, Through, Centuries, Original Music

I would certainly say that films like Time Code and the Loss of Sexual Innocence were far more rewarding to me in terms of being able to move forward as a filmmaker.

- Mike Figgis

Rewarding, Certainly, Films, Move Forward

I am intrigued enough to want to continue, and also to try and work with companies like Sony on modifying the cameras and making them more user-friendly and efficient.

- Mike Figgis

Making, Like, Efficient, Intrigued

I started using film as part of live theatre performance - what used to be called performance art - and I became intrigued by film.

- Mike Figgis

Art, Became, Using, Intrigued

I've spent my life hearing people trying to apologize for music.

- Mike Figgis

Music, My Life, Trying, Apologize

I like to work my camera as if it were a musical instrument.

- Mike Figgis

Work, Like, Musical, Camera

In discussing the process with the actors, I made it clear to them that they could improvise but that the sum total of their improvisation needed to impart certain plot points, and schematic material.

- Mike Figgis

Process, Made, Discussing, Sum Total

The power of sound to put an audience in a certain psychological state is vastly undervalued. And the more you know about music and harmony, the more you can do with that.

- Mike Figgis

Harmony, Audience, More, Vastly

The world is an infinitely fascinating, tragic and humorous place.

- Mike Figgis

World, Tragic, Infinitely, Humorous

It's difficult working with very rich actors, because inevitably they become a little spoilt, and the managers and agents tend to control things more than is healthy.

- Mike Figgis

More, Very, Spoilt, Agents

There's a sadness to the human condition that I think music is good for. It gives a counterpoint to the visual beauty, and adds depth to pictures that they wouldn't have if the music wasn't there.

- Mike Figgis

Think, Human Condition, Counterpoint

I've held onto little musical sketches that I thought could be useful, and the more time that I spend doing them for each film, then the more I have to draw on.

- Mike Figgis

Thought, Doing, Musical, Sketches

Then I became interested in drama, and almost by accident, I drifted into film.

- Mike Figgis

Drama, Became, Almost, Drifted

Each film is different. Time Code was very quick - a matter of months. Miss Julie has been on my shelf as a script for some seven or eight years. But then the shooting process was very quick - 16 days.

- Mike Figgis

Some, Quick, Very, Shelf

Films take up so much time, and with theatre, you do have to plan a period of time that you can be free.

- Mike Figgis

Theatre, Films, Take, So Much Time

You make sure that there's a structure that's interesting for them to play on top of, then do temp versions and try it on the film. By the time the players come to the recording session, I've found what works. So I'm not wasting their time.

- Mike Figgis

Play, Wasting, By The Time, Structure

I'm a huge fan of world cinema, because each country uses cinema in a very individual way.

- Mike Figgis

Country, Individual, Very, Huge Fan

One of the things I love about cinema is the range.

- Mike Figgis

Love, Things, I Love, Cinema

Obviously, I try to make the films work for an audience. That's the main point of making a film, and in retrospect, one can see that certain films, let's say Leaving Las Vegas, demonstrated its own success.

- Mike Figgis

Own, Las Vegas, Main, Retrospect

When I do the music, I make the musicians listen to what's happening in the film. That way they treat the dialogue as if it was a singer.

- Mike Figgis

Treat, Musicians, Singer, Dialogue

You can do really slow movements with it, like zooming in for a minute and a half. The audience isn't aware that the camera has moved, but there's subconscious tension there.

- Mike Figgis

Audience, Tension, Half, Minute

I play piano and trumpet. I studied classical guitar.

- Mike Figgis

Play, Trumpet, Studied, Piano

I might have a guitar or a piano on set to play something for the actors.

- Mike Figgis

Play, Might, Set, Piano

But I don't have such a strong desire to need to get away from filmmaking.

- Mike Figgis

Strong, Desire, Away, Filmmaking

I want the score to have a really big voice.

- Mike Figgis

Voice, Want, Big, Score

There's nothing I've done which I'm ashamed of or I thought was actually bad.

- Mike Figgis

Thought, Which, Actually, Ashamed

I had no plans to be a director.

- Mike Figgis

Director, Had, Plans

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