Coffee & Content: Sofia Coppola On Her Filmmaking Career

Coffee & Content: Sofia Coppola On Her Filmmaking Career

Coffee & Content: Sofia Coppola On Her Filmmaking Career

Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in.

First up, in this interview with Sofia Coppola from BFI, the filmmaker takes a look back on her filmmaking journey. Not only the many critically acclaimed and award-winning films she's made over the years but also the impact her upbringing has had on her perspective and the stories she tells.

Next up, in this video from Variety, POOR THINGS cinematographer Robbie Ryan breaks down the infamous ballroom scene, how it was shot, and why it stands out in the narrative story. Ryan discusses in detail the many cameras and lenses that were used to shoot the scene and why, ultimately creating director Yorgos Lanthimos' signature visual style.

As always, here at Stage 32, we love to share stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! Tag them below! You can keep up with all of our content by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and Twitter @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, & creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

BFI | Sofia Coppola On Her Filmmaking Career

Coffee  Content Sofia Coppola On Her Filmmaking Career

Variety | 'Poor Things' Cinematographer Breaks Down The Ballroom Scene

Coffee  Content Sofia Coppola On Her Filmmaking Career

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About the Author

Richard "RB" Botto

Richard "RB" Botto

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist

Richard "RB" Botto has created the online platform and marketplace designed to democratize the entertainment industry, Stage 32. By leveling the playing field for all film, television and digital content creators and professionals worldwide, Stage 32 provides networking and training opportunities as...

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11 Comments on Richard RB's Article

Leonardo Ramirez
Screenwriter, Author, Voice Actor
It may be because I'm a dad that I have no problem with nepotism so long as the parent fully grants the offspring the freedom to fly. I introduced my daughter to the martial arts and for many years, I was THE "Sensei Ramirez" of the dojo. I had to retire due to injuries and she's fully taken my place as Sensei Ramirez along with responsibilities that comes with it. You can't dodge the details of the job and I couldn't be prouder. Now she wants to follow me into the creative arts and quite frankly, I couldn't be prouder. She seemed to still have fallen into directing by filling a void. I love that. And that scene as fantastic.
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
;)
a year ago
Leonardo Ramirez
Screenwriter, Author, Voice Actor
Haha! Richard "RB" Botto  - no doubt, brother. LOL.
a year ago
Ashley Smith 23
Creative Executive, Script Consultant, Producer
I love it when DPs break things down like this. I haven't had a chance to watch Poor Things yet, but my friends have been raving about it and I'm even more excited now! Thank you for sharing, RB!
a year ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
Sofia Coppola's upbringing had an impact on her perspective and the stories she tells, RB. I think that goes for all creatives. My family was big on family as I grew up (they still are), and I’ve noticed that a lot of my scripts are about family.
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
And human...hopefully.
a year ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
You're right, RB. I do it without realizing sometimes. Bringing the personal into our work is one of the things that makes our stories impactful.
a year ago
Thank you, RB, so interesting, this really inspired me...
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Thrills me to no end, Brigitte Millar.
a year ago
Jenean McBrearty
Screenwriter, Author, Researcher
"Confidence of a young person not being beaten down" (you mean by poverty, hunger, working at a fast-food joint?), combined with being the kid of a famous film-maker, and being able to go back and forth into and out of school ... why would anyone care what her "process" is when she will has had every opportunity to do anything she wants to? I'm sure she's a very nice person but talented? We'll never know. Given the same access to experts in the myriad of different aspects of film-making there may be hundreds, thousands, of "beaten down" young people who might have more talent than she has. The best way to get famous in any area of endeavor is to choose your parents wisely.
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Many do not, Jenean McBrearty. They take the easy way out which, of course, gives away any competitive advantage they might have.
a year ago
Jenean McBrearty
Screenwriter, Author, Researcher
"... "studio note" at the most contrived, generic and "Let's please everyone" moments." That's the problem! I think, as with every form of written/visual art, the worry and amount of energy used to please everyone, ultimately pleases no one. Also, I think there's a hesitancy, born of self-censorship, that makes most writers timid; the lack of a clear decision who the target audience is (I can't tell you how many times I'm watching a film, and all of a sudden, everything stops, because it's time to include the sex, romance, lecture, etc.! I think ....oh this is where the commercial is supposed to go); and laziness in that people don't want to do the research it takes to write, say, about space .... writers don't challenge themselves to learn something new.
a year ago
Love it!
a year ago
Extremely helpful.
a year ago
Amanda Toney - Next Level Education
Director of Operations, Producer
I hate to say that I wasn't super familiar with Robbie Ryan until POOR THINGS, he's had a really interesting career. Thanks for sharing this video, he's really an interesting and talented cinematographer.
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Extremely talented. And he loves to work. His resume is filled with films big and small, epics and shorts.
a year ago
Glen Bradley
Actor, Screenwriter
Oh lord….nothing like hearing a privileged nepo baby talking about how lucky they are..
a year ago
Glen Bradley
Actor, Screenwriter
I like it. It's so interesting. I'm sure people would to read these hollywood stories. River and Joaquin Phoenix was also monstrous. George Clooney and Rose Mary too, couch crashing before it was couch crashin
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
That's what C&C is about, a multitude of perspectives and healthy debate. Nepotism will always be present. In any industry. It's either one more excuse or one more aspect to rise above.
a year ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
My creative weekend is going great, RB. I thought of a script idea and wrote the first scene, and I’ve been networking. I also rewrote two commercial writing samples. How’s your creative weekend going? It’s great to hear Sofia's filmmaking journey. My favorite movie by her so far is MARIE ANTOINETTE. I’ve been meaning to watch LOST IN TRANSLATION. In the first video, Sofia mentioned adapting a book and trying to figure out how to transfer it into visuals. It’s hard to figure that out sometimes. A lot of head scratching and rewrites. And some things just don't transfer visually. I think it’s cool that the POV changes to a first-person POV with a circle (at 1:31 of the POOR THINGS video). The change made me feel like I was in the scene.
a year ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
Thanks, RB. Appreciate the congrats. This script is gonna be wild. Congratulations on the very productive and rewarding weekend! I've been seeing your updates and photos on Twitter (X). Safe travels. And I was trying to figure out what movie to watch today. Maybe a double feature. LOST IN TRANSLATION and GLASS ONION.
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
First and foremost, Maurice, watch LOST IN TRANSLATION. Weekend is going great. Been wall to wall on Stage 32 business and some rewriting. Very productive and rewarding weekend. Congrats on breaking new ground on your script!
a year ago
Tom Stohlgren
Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
I loved Sofia Coppola’s emphasis on “atmosphere.” I’ll hunt down the script for “Lost in Translation” to learn how to write better action lines in my scripts to set the mood for scenes. Robbie Ryan taught me to appreciate the artistic contributions of a great cinematographer. I was impressed by the research aspects of “picking a lens” for a particular scene. It’s not magic— it’s hard work. Thanks for posting, RB.
a year ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Definitely find the script for LIT. Teaches much about how to write "quiet".
a year ago
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