It’s my job to try and make the audience understand something I’m trying to express. So, it’s not the audience’s fault if they don’t like something I did. It’s not the audience’s fault if they don’t get it. It’s my fault.James Gray

If I had to name the most eccentric conversation I have had doing this podcast, I would surely pick my talk with James Gray. I could write a whole essay on James and his life, but of course, that would be far too extreme for this.

Simply, James is a screen writer and film director renowned for his work with films such as The Immigrant, Ad Astra, and The Yards. No one I’ve ever met could rival James’ extensive film knowledge, both in history and technique. As you’ll hear, James truly devotes himself fully to his work.

In our conversation we spoke about numerous things regarding his experiences growing up, as well as his thoughts about film making, his role as a writer and director, and how he thinks COVID might affect movies that come out after the pandemic.

I spoke to James from his home in Los Angeles.

Show Notes

* Growing up in Queens, New York* From public school to private school * High school film club* Life long relationship with some teachers* Learning about Shakespeare* The challenges of the Superhero movie* How films evolved* Films as a mirror of society* Watchmen graphic novel* On recognition and validation* The danger of being quoted* Control in film making* Working with actors* The inspiration for newest film* We still have hope

Transcript

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Links and Resources

James Gray on IMDB

Ad Astra

The Lost City of Z

Kew Forest School

Philoctetes

Measure for Measure

Picasso’s Guernica

Lascaux cave paintings

The Jazz Singer

Joker

The Dark Knight

Watchmen

Stanley Kubrick

Nights of Cabiria

Joaquin Phoenix

Mark Wahlberg

Charlie Hunnam

Armageddon Time the movie