Joe Swanberg
Joe Swanberg
Joe Swanbergis an American independent film director, producer, writer, and actor. Known for micro-budget films which make extensive use of improvisation, Swanberg is considered a major figure in the mumblecore film movement. His films often focus on relationships, sex, technology, and the filmmaking process...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionActor
Date of Birth31 August 1981
CountryUnited States of America
thinking littles adults
I do think there's a smaller audience that's looking for something that's a little more adult and a little more nuanced [than many Hollywood movies]. At the same time, I think everyone who's making movies hopes to appeal to the widest audience possible.
thinking use levels
There are different levels of scripting that we all use; I think I'm the most improvised of the three, and probably Andrew's the most written. But all of that is in pursuit of similar things, and I think that we kind of recognize that in each other.
thinking people different
We're looking for a certain kind of realism or naturalism, and we go about it in different ways, but I think we're all striving for the same end result, which is to capture the patterns of conversations and how people interact in a very realistic way.
communication thinking people
I think in general I personally have a tendency to protect other people's feelings, and I've noticed that becomes a major hindrance to communication. It's better to just be honest, even if it's painful.
thinking knowing space
For a lot of people, you get cramped making decisions together and living together and every other thing that starts to happen. I just think you have to be vigilant in the relationship to carve out space for yourself. And a lot of that requires knowing what you need and communicating that to your partner, which is hard.
thinking directors excited
I guess I probably see myself as a director. If I had to choose, I think that that's the aspect of the process that I'm most excited by.
letting-go thinking trying
I think I'll try to keep working in film for a little bit. There's something still kind of magical about it, that I don't want to let go of.
thinking people details
During improvisations, I'll hear people bringing back up details from something I heard about at breakfast or something somebody was saying that they were thinking about, and it informs a rewriting of a scene.
thinking people community
The really cool thing is all about being able to take your movie around and show it. It puts you in direct contact with people who are like-minded and interested in similar things. I think the film festival circuit has certainly helped to foster the community.
people rein
I'm a pretty hands-off director. I let people try things, and if it gets over-jokey, then I'll try and rein it in a little bit.
difficult exactly feelings five happen romantic
It's very difficult to have any kind of romantic feelings for a movie where you know exactly what's going to happen in the first five minutes.
art involved roles whether
I want to try and be as involved in the art of filmmaking as possible. I feel that the only way to really do that is to take on as many roles as possible, whether it be as an actor, an editor, a director, a cinematographer.
bets bit cast chemistry elements gut low people side sort sure trust various
On a really big budget movie you do chemistry reads, and you sort of hedge your bets a little bit more and make sure that these people get along. But on the low budget side of things, I have to trust my gut that when I cast these people, the various elements are going to play together.
hate people being-there
The more that I work with people that I don't know, the more I invite somebody in who's potentially going to really hate being there.