BEST DIRECTORS

By: Chrystal Khamvongsa

Christopher NolanFull name: Christopher Jonathan James Nolan

Nickname: Chris

Age: 41

Status: Happily married to Emma Thomas

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English, Literature

Known for: Memento, The Dark Knight and Inception

Genre: Thriller, Action, Documentary, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Adventure

Birthday: July 30, 1970

From: London, English, UK

Occupation: Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer

Born in London in 1970, Christopher Nolan began making films at the age of seven using his father's super 8mm camera and an assortment of male-action figures. He

graduated to making films involving real people, and his super 8mm surreal short 'tarantella' was shown on PBS' 'image union' in 1989. Chris studied English Literature at University College London while starting to make 16mm films at the college film society. His short film 'larceny' was shown at the Cambridge Film Festival in 1996, and his other 16mm shorts include a three- minute surreal

film called 'doodlebug'.

History

Style of filming

Been together for1997-present

• Mysterious kind of feel• Suspenseful • Adventurous

• Dark

Filmography

1998 – Following

2000 – Memento

2002 – Insomnia

2005 – Batman Begins

2006 – The Prestige

2008 – The Dark Knight

2010 – Inception

2012- The Dark Knight Rises

2000 – Memento

Leonard Shelby is seeking revenge, looking for his

wife's killer. What makes it difficult for

him, is that he is unable to make new memories.

Guy Pearce Carrie-Anne Moss

2002 – Insomnia

Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local

teen.

Al Pacino Robin Williams

2005 – Batman Begins

Bruce Wayne has watched his home, Gotham City, turn into

a crime infested abyss throughout his entire life, so he decides to become the

hero Gotham needs- Batman.

Michael Caine, Katie Holmes, Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman

2006 – The Prestige

Obsession, jealously and deceit define the tense relationship shared

between two turn-of-the-century magicians. A completion between

the two to define who is best.

Hugh Jackman

Christain Bale

Scarlett Johansson

2008 – The Dark Knight

Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent are forced to deal with the chaos unleashed by a

terrorist mastermind known only as the Joker, as he

drives each of them to their limits.

Heath Ledger (1979 – 2008) passed away at 28 years old. The man

who planed The famous Joker.

Christian Bale,Maggie GyllenhaalAaron Eckhart

2010 – Inception

In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind

through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final

chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest

job to date: Inception.

2012- The Dark Knight Rises Coming soon summer 2012

Christian BaleAnne Hathaway

Tom HardyGary Oldman

A mysterious man calling himself the joker is hired by the mob to get rid of Batman, because he keeps cracking down on their projects. But then the Joker takes things into his own hands to test the mental strength of humanity and Batman himself. And Batman must stop both forces with the help of Gotham police officer James Gordon and Distract Attorney Harvey Dent.

Starring

Bane

As Tom Hardy

More to Dark Knight Rises!

Tom HardyAnne Hathaway

Gary OldmanChristian Bale

From Inception

In all the Batman movies

Princess Diaries, Devil Wears Prada, Bride Wars, Love and Other Drugs, etc.

Frequent Cast

Christian BaleMichael CaineCillian Murphy

Jeremy TheobaldTom Hardy

Ken WatanabeLarry Holden

Awards

2011 – Won Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award

AFI Awards, USAMovie of the year2010 – Inception (2010)2008 – The Dark Knight (2008)2002 – Memento (2000)

Toronto Films Critics Association AwardBest screen play2001 – Memento (2000)

Kansas City Film Critics Circle AwardBest screen play and Best director2011 – Inception (2010)

Hugo AwardsBest Dramatic Presentation2011 – Inception (2010)

Hollywood Film FestivalHollywood Movie of The Year2010 – Inception (2010)2008 – The Dark Knight (2008)

Some Awards he won

• 2001 Oscar: Best Writing (Original Screenplay) - Nominee • 2002 Golden Globe: Best Screenplay - Motion Picture - Nominee • 2001 Sundance Film Festival: Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award - Winner • 2011 Golden Globe: Best Director - Motion Picture - Nominee • 2011 Golden Globe: Best Screenplay - Motion Picture - Nominee • 2010 BAFTA Awards: Best Film - Nominee • 2010 BAFTA Awards: Best Director - Nominee • 2010 BAFTA Awards: Best Original Screenplay - Nominee • 2011 César Awards: Best Foreign Film - Nominee • 2010 Oscar: Best Motion Picture of the Year - Nominee • 2010 Oscar: Best Writing (Original Screenplay) - Nominee

Nominated for

Biggest InfluenceAlfred

HitchcockIs the undisputed master of suspense

Known for The McGuffin – “A device or plot element that catches the viewer's attention or drives the plot. It is generally something that every character is concerned with, is essentially something that the entire story is built around and yet has no real relevance.” -> the side effect of creating pure suspense

Techniques And Tips Hitchcock way• Surprise and twist• Suspense is Information• Frame for Emotion • Point of View Editing (close up->vision->reaction)• Dialogue Means Nothing • Two Things Happening at Once • Use Humour to Add Tension • the Mind of the Audience • Characters Must Break Cliché • Keep the Story Simple• Montage Gives You Control (close up on important events)

More of his influences

Stanley KubrickEarly films inspired him because he did a lot of dark and slow techniques to show more to characters and setting

• A Clockwork Orange• A Space Odyssey• The Shining• Full Metal Jackets

Known films

Ridley Scott

Known films• American Gangster• Black Hawk Down• Gladiator• Hannibal

Known for incorporating a detailed approach to production design and innovative, atmospheric lighting, has been tremendously influential on an entire subsequent generation of filmmakers

Interesting Facts

• Left handed• Has a daughter named Flora• Says he’s computer illiterate

• Red-green colour blinded

Clips + Videos• http://www.reelz.com/person/129779/christ

opher-nolan/

• http://collider.com/inception-movie-clips-christopher-nolan-leonardo-dicaprio/36147/

• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/filmvideo/7862510/Inception-interview-with-Christopher-Nolan-and-Leonardo-DiCaprio.html

Film Terms

Depth of Field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene.

Flashback are past scenes and memories.

Jump Cut

QUESTIONSWhat kind of feel did you get from the trailer?

Name 4 frequent cast Christopher Nolan uses?

For Toronto films what was the best screen play?

Name 3 of his known genres.