Get Low Director’s First Feature Attracts All-star Cast and Crew
Get Low, a small-budget gem now in theaters, is directed by long-time cinematographer Aaron Schneider, his first time at the helm of a feature film. He had previously won an Oscar in 2004 for best short, Two Soldiers, which he directed. Schneider is also credited as the editor of Get Low. »
Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois show How to Train Your Dragon
Helmed by Oscar-nominated writer/director Chris Sanders and writer/director Dean Deblois (Lilo & Stitch, Mulan), the DreamWorks Animation SKG production of »
The Foreign Language Nominees Symposium
The 82nd Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film nominees couldn’t be more diverse and interesting. At the Foreign Language Nominees Symposium held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, March 6, the honored filmmakers of Adjami – Israel, The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada) – Peru, A Prophet (Un Prophete) – France, The Secret in Their... »
Joe Johnston Conjures The Wolfman
Former Industrial Light and Magic art director Joe Johnston became a feature film director over 20 years ago when he came aboard... »
Documentary Filmmaker Exposes Brutal Dolphin Hunt in The Cove
After a screening of The Cove, I was moved and impressed as well as depressed by the experience. »
John Hillcoat Travels Down The Road
Some movies provoke the mind and intellect and leave audiences thinking long after they have left the theater. Add The Road to that list. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Cormac McCarthy, who also wrote the book on which the Coen Brothers film No Country For Old Men was based, Australian director John... »
Perfect Sleep: Location Manager Jeremy Alter Moves to Director’s Chair
When one considers “traditional” below-the-line avenues to directing, it’s usually editing or cinematography — or lately, visual effects supervising — that come to mind as usual routes to that storied above-the-line perch. For Jeremy Alter, whose The Perfect Sleep is currently in release, it was location managing. “I’ve always loved films,” he recounts. “By... »
Of Readers, Writers, and Other Collaborators on Making The Reader
When Below the Line caught up with director Stephen Daldry, he was in town for the kick-off to award season, as a Golden Globe nominee for best direction for The Reader—a couple of weeks ahead of knowing he’d be an Oscar nominee in that category as well. »
A Curious Case of Tricks Brings Success to Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button leads the Oscar sweepstakes this year with 13 Academy Award nominations, including nods for best picture and for David Fincher in the best director category. Eight of the nominations are for the craft contributions, covering nearly all of the production keys who worked on the ambitiously scaled but... »
Zwick and Crew Make Sacrifices for Story
In Defiance Edward Zwick tells the true story of three Jewish brothers (Daniel Craig, Liv Schreiber and Jamie Bell) who take refuge in the Belarussian forest after members of their family are massacred during an ethnic purge of their village during World War II. As a means of survival when other civilian refugees wander... »
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Director Series
Get Low Director’s First Feature Attracts All-star Cast and CrewAugust 2010 | By Jack Egan
Get Low, a small-budget gem now in theaters, is directed by long-time cinematographer Aaron Schneider, his first time at the helm of a feature... »
Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois show How to Train Your Dragon
April 2010 | By Mary Ann Skweres
Helmed by Oscar-nominated writer/director Chris Sanders and writer/director Dean Deblois (Lilo & Stitch, Mulan), the DreamWorks Animation SKG production of »
Exclusive Film Reviews
Up in the AirDecember 2009 | By Len Klady
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) has an amiable disposition that belies the fact that it’s best to stay out of his path. You see he’s... »
The Young Victoria
December 2009 | By Len Klady
The enduring image of Queen Victoria, whose reign dominated the bulk of the 19th century, is of a benevolent, elderly grandmother. Though she was... »