Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary share their passion for cinema in this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. They reflect on their humble beginnings at a video store, where immersing themselves in film culture ignited their filmmaking ambitions. The conversation delves into their appreciation for cohesive narratives in cinema compared to episodic content, their reverence for influential filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick and Roman Polanski, and their fondness for niche genres like Mexican exploitation films.
Tarantino and Avary also discuss the collaborative nature of filmmaking, addressing the challenges of maintaining creative vision amid industry pressures. This episode offers an insightful glimpse into the minds of two acclaimed filmmakers and their perspectives on the art of storytelling through film.
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Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary reminisce on their time at Video Archives, where immersing themselves in film culture and discussions with customers nurtured their passion for cinema. Tarantino considers these interactions akin to being a film critic. The video store fostered a creative community, fueling their filmmaking ambitions and providing connections that helped them break into the industry.
Tarantino and Avary argue that films offer more cohesive narratives and lasting emotional impact compared to episodic TV/streaming shows. Tarantino notes films require greater intentional craftsmanship to achieve a singular impression, unlike serialized content that can feel like "unending soap operas." He believes iconic films leave viewers with memorable emotional climaxes, while TV shows are often forgotten.
The speakers exhibit a passion for exploring niche genres like Mexican horror/exploitation films, praising their earnest artistry within budgetary constraints. They champion reappraising "so-bad-it's-good" films like Showgirls, finding new appreciation. Additionally, they admire the clever practical effects in low-budget genre films pre-CGI.
Avary and Tarantino deeply revere influential filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, John Boorman, and Roman Polanski, considering them "cinematic parents" who shaped their sensibilities. Avary meticulously studied Kubrick's techniques. Both speakers appreciate how these directors used genre constraints to create visually compelling, thematically resonant works.
The speakers discuss the challenge of maintaining creative vision amid industry pressures. Avary shares his experience with Beowulf, initially envisioning a modest project that transformed under director Robert Zemeckis. Despite mixed feelings, Avary valued the collaboration. Tarantino highlights the importance of open dialogue and networking for successful filmmaking partnerships.
1-Page Summary
Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary reminisce on their times at Video Archives and explore how their work in a video store influenced their paths into the film industry.
Discussing their experiences with the Video Archives Podcast, Tarantino and Avary delve into their time at the video store named Video Archives. It was there that they could engage in extensive conversations about movies with regular customers, which became a significant part of their film education. This constant dialogue about films allowed Tarantino to consider himself as a kind of film critic, offering tailored movie recommendations to customers and nurturing his passion for cinema.
Further reflecting on their time at Video Archives, Tarantino relished being surrounded by movies, and Avary described watching movies with Tarantino as a transformative experience—akin to viewing the films through Tarantino's eyes. They note the sense of community fostered within the video store environment, which nurtured their passion for film and fueled their ambitions to break into the film industry. Tarantino’s sense of neighborhood fame as "the video guy" also provided him with a precursor to the wider fame he would later achieve.
The speakers discussed how the competitive strategies employed at Video Archives, due to competition with Blockbuster, developed their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. This environment honed their persuasive skills, as they often had to convince customers to consider alternative movie titles, an aspect that they la ...
The influence of the video store industry on filmmaking careers
Quentin Tarantino and Avary provide a discourse on how films and television or streaming series differ in narrative cohesiveness, emotional impact, and the art of storytelling.
Tarantino and Avary reflect on their experiences with both mediums and offer a critique of the storytelling and lasting impact of each.
Avary discusses the repetitive cycle of shock-driven violence in shows like "Game of Thrones," which he criticizes for lacking meaningful storytelling. Tarantino contrasts this with films, which often deliver a more cohesive narrative. Quentin Tarantino recalls not remembering the antagonists or the plot details of television shows like "Yellowstone" or "1883" over time, despite their initial appeal. In comparison, he notes that a well-crafted Western film such as "Red River" leaves a memorable impression that can last a lifetime.
Tarantino suggests that even the best television shows, which might utilize cinematic language, ultimately lack the intentional narrative structure that films possess. He believes that films are crafted to achieve a singular and lasting impact, as opposed to serialized TV shows which can feel like an unending soap opera.
Tarantino expresses dissatisfaction with television stories that result in forgettable moments, which he compares to "sand on the beach." He laments that these moments do not endure in the way that film moments do. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of an impactful story at the end of a season in serialized content; without it ...
Comparing and contrasting films vs. television/streaming content
In a spirited discussion, Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary delve into their passion for exploring and championing lesser-known or overlooked film genres and styles, revealing an admiration for the artistry and creativity found in such works.
Tarantino and Avary exhibit a deep-seated desire to delve into various film genres, particularly niche and exploitation films. They highlight this intention in the structure of their show, where they discuss a main movie, a related but probably lesser-known film, and a "wild exploitation thing" in each episode. They emphasize their eagerness to discuss films beyond the mainstream, steering clear of widely recognized titles and instead diving into hidden gems associated with VHS culture.
Tarantino specifically talks about the greatness of Mexican horror movies, such as "Demon," praising the earnestness and serious treatment of their "tacky horror" content. He refers to the genre as "mexploitation," encompassing Mexican exploitation movies. Avary adds by describing these films as "crazy," likening the experience to being inside a Mexican director's head.
Tarantino discusses being a champion of movies that have been dismissed as fiascos, like "Showgirls," signaling an appreciation for films that are so bad they're good. Avary points out that movies such as "Ishtar" and "Waterworld," which were originally labeled as failures, can develop a newfound appreciation over time. Rogan expresses his love for "Showgirls," while Tarantino acknowledges interesting aspects despite not typically enjoying so-bad-it's-good films. Avary highlights the unique nature of "Showgirls" with its grand $60 million budget and Verhoeven's free reign as a director. This perspective allows ...
Appreciation for specific film genres and styles
Roger Avary and Quentin Tarantino share a profound reverence for the work of influential filmmakers such as Stanley Kubrick, John Boorman, and Roman Polanski, discussing how these directors have significantly influenced their own approaches to cinema.
Roger Avary speaks highly of Stanley Kubrick, citing him as his favorite filmmaker. Avary points out that all of Kubrick's films can be categorized within specific genres, such as his science fiction movie, horror movie, or his costume dramas like "Barry Lyndon." Kubrick is seen as a flexible director navigating through various genres while leaving his distinctive mark on each.
Quentin Tarantino shares Avary's admiration for Kubrick, noting that even "Barry Lyndon," fits comfortably within the genre category of costume drama, and linking it to its origins as a popular serialized soap opera at the time.
Avary considers Kubrick, along with John Boorman and Roman Polanski, as his "cinematic parents," suggesting they've significantly impacted his filmmaking style. He details his deep respect and sees himself as a composite of these influential directors. Avary specifically admires Kubrick for being a weird guy who thought three steps ahead of everyone else, even suggesting that some aspects of Kubrick's films might have been altered after his death, indicating a detailed knowledge of Kubrick's directorial choices.
Furthermore, Avary discusses the influence of Fritz Lang, especially his film "M," on Kubrick's work, showing a lineage of influence from one iconic filmmaker to another. He recommends "M" for learning how to use sound effectively in film, further expressing reverence for Lang's creative approach.
Tarantino likens the process of young filmmakers learning their craft to children learning from their parents, referring to these influential directors as "cinematic paren ...
Notable filmmakers and their impact on the speakers
In an insightful discussion, speakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Joe Rogan, and Roger Avary share their experiences and the intrinsic challenges and rewards of the filmmaking process, underscoring the value of collaboration.
The speakers delve into the delicate balance of maintaining one's creative vision against industry pressures. They share personal stories from their filmmaking journeys, with Avary revealing an instance where he chose a project for financial reasons and consequently questioned his identity as a filmmaker.
Roger Avary reveals an intimate account of the transformation of his project 'Beowulf.' Conceived with modest intent for a raw aesthetic in Iceland, like early Terry Gilliam films, it was starkly changed by Robert Zemeckis into a high-budget performance capture film. Though different from Avary's vision, working with Zemeckis was still an enjoyable experience, and Zemeckis's creative genius impressed Avary.
With advanced technology at hand, Quentin Tarantino and Joe Rogan ponder the possibilities of film manipulation that are no longer as financially prohibitive as in the past. Avary contemplates utilizing such advancements to revisit and enhance 'Beowulf.'
The journey of 'Beowulf' was tumultuous for Avary, who withstood industry pressure as agents bombarded him to sell to Steve Bing for Zemeckis. Despite initially refusing and desiring to direct, Avary eventually succumbed, persuaded by the urgency to make the film. Selling the script was a reluctant but financially rewarding decision, one that Avary describes as both a sellout and a fabulous opportunity.
The collaborative filmmaking process and personal experiences
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