Lara Johnson’s Post

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AI Product Manager | PhD Researcher in Data Science

Listening to Denis Villeneuve (director of #Dune, #Bladerunner2049, #Arrival) at the London Film Festival, four memorable lessons stood out: 🤝 Relationships matter. As Villeneuve worked with bigger stars (#Dune alone had 25 stars), he was asked how he manages strong personalities. His advice? "Avoid the assholes." Developing a reputation for being good to work with is vital. 👂 The power of silence and listening. Villeneuve once chose an actress because she was - in his words - a "fantastic listener" in real life. Moving from books and scripts to the visual medium of film presents new opportunities for exploring grey zones, not just through dialogues but through images. Listening is a theme in all of Villanueve's films. 📝 Preparation goes a long way, especially intellectual preparation. World-building is tough, and consistency is key in bringing a vision to life. This requires in-depth conversations with everyone involved, ensuring all the moving parts are aligned before the camera starts rolling. 🏋️♂️ Stamina is essential. #Dune involved 120 days of shooting, with 44 days dedicated solely to the sand-riding sequence. Sustaining energy and focus throughout was critical. Nevertheless, as Villenueve joked, "there’s always room for a reshoot". #LondonFilmFestival #BFI #DenisVilleneuve #Reputation #Listening #Preparation #Stamina

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