What films have influenced Edgar Wright as a director and writer?
Films
Shaun of the dead (2004, universal pictures)
This is one of my primary sources. It is Edgar Wright’s first feature film, which he directed and co wrote with Simon Pegg. In my opinion it is a valuable source because the movie reflects lots of elements from other famous zombie movies such as dawn of the dead and evil dead 2, through the use of cinematography and editing. It also makes small references to these movies through mediums like character names, and even the title. These influences are commented on by Wright in the commentary feature on the DVD.
Hot fuzz (2007, universal pictures)
This is one of my primary sources. It is Edgar wrights second feature film with him as both director and co writer (along with Simon Pegg) and is the second film in their definitive blood and ice cream trilogy. It is a valuable source in the same way that Shaun of the dead is a valuable source. Because reflects lots of element from other more iconic films in the same genre. The difference being that because this is, primarily an action movie it makes reference to films like die hard and point break instead of dawn of the dead. These influences are commented on by Wright in the commentary feature on the DVD.
TV
Spaced series 1 and 2 (channel 4, 1999-2001)
I have chosen spaced for similar reasons I have chosen the films, because it makes references/spoofs/reflects different films that have influenced/inspired Edgar Wright in his style of directing. Because this is a TV show it has different narratives for each episode meaning it references a wider verity of films than both hot fuzz and Shaun of the dead.
Internet
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/feb/12/guardianinterviewsatbfisouthbank (Jason Solomons, February 2007, the guardian)
Although in this interview Edgar Wright dose not talk a lot about films that have had a great influence on his directing and writing, he dose talk about how he has been a great lover of films since a very young age and how that has effected his life early on and later in life and some of his favourite directors and actors.
Edgar wrights imdb (internet movie data base) page. Lists although movies/TV shows he has worked (and is going to work) on as a writer, director, actor, editor and producer. It lists miscellanies trivia about him, famous quotes and his trademark writing and directing techniques.
Edgar wrights Wikipedia page. Gives information about his early life and how he managed to get to where he is in the movie business. It must be noted that all this information may not be very reliable as Wikipedia entries can be edited by anyone.
Videos
This probably the most valuable source out of all the sources I have found because it is a video of Edgar Wright naming ten of his favourite movies and how they have influenced his style of directing and writing.
Discarded sources
Scott pilgrim vs. the world (2010, universal pictures)
I first choose this film to be one of my sources because it the biggest budget film Edgar Wright was involved with, so with there for mean he would be able to do a lot more in this movie than his others. In this sense I was right but the movie did not have lots of influences from films but games and modern pop culture.
At first this seemed like a informative source but I have chosen to discard it for the same reasons I discarded the Scott pilgrim vs. the world film, because most of the influencing factors are not films but more about games and popular culture.
Although this is a q and a with Edgar Wright about Shaun of the dead, the whole interview is focused more about the process of filming and editing and the reception it’s got.
These are written in a good style. Don't use the imdb and Wikipedia entries. Can you find alternatives? You've made a good start here.
ReplyDelete