David Lean, the director of the epic film Lawrence of Arabia, is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. His work has inspired generations of directors and has set the standard for visual storytelling in cinema. In this article, we will explore ten career lessons that can be learned from the director of Lawrence of Arabia.
Take Risks
David Lean was not afraid to take risks in his career. He started out as an editor and then moved into directing, despite having no prior experience. He also took on ambitious projects like Lawrence of Arabia, which was a massive undertaking at the time. Taking risks can lead to great rewards and can help you achieve your goals.
Collaborate with Talented People
David Lean was known for his collaborations with talented actors like Peter O’Toole and Alec Guinness. He also worked with talented writers like Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. Collaborating with talented people can help elevate your work and can lead to great success.
Pay Attention to Detail
David Lean was a perfectionist when it came to his films. He paid attention to every detail, from the costumes to the set design. This attention to detail helped create a sense of authenticity in his films and helped immerse the audience in the story.
Be Open to New Ideas
David Lean was always open to new ideas and was willing to try new things. He experimented with different camera techniques and was one of the first directors to use the widescreen format. Being open to new ideas can help you stay ahead of the curve and can help you create innovative work.
Be Patient
David Lean was known for his patience on set. He would take his time to get the shot right and would not rush the process. Being patient can help you create better work and can help you avoid mistakes.
Learn from Your Mistakes
David Lean was not afraid to admit when he made a mistake. He would learn from his mistakes and would use that knowledge to improve his work. Learning from your mistakes can help you grow as a filmmaker and can help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
Trust Your Instincts
David Lean had a strong sense of intuition when it came to his films. He would trust his instincts and would make decisions based on his gut feeling. Trusting your instincts can help you make bold decisions and can help you create work that is authentic to your vision.
Be Persistent
David Lean faced many challenges in his career, but he never gave up. He was persistent in his pursuit of his goals and was willing to work hard to achieve them. Being persistent can help you overcome obstacles and can help you achieve success in your career.
Embrace Feedback
David Lean was open to feedback from his collaborators and would use that feedback to improve his work. Embracing feedback can help you create better work and can help you avoid making mistakes.
Never Stop Learning
David Lean was always learning and was always looking for ways to improve his work. He would attend film festivals and would study the work of other filmmakers. Never stop learning can help you stay ahead of the curve and can help you create innovative work.
Key Takeaways
David Lean was a master filmmaker who left a lasting impact on the film industry. His career was built on taking risks, collaborating with talented people, paying attention to detail, being open to new ideas, being patient, learning from his mistakes, trusting his instincts, being persistent, embracing feedback, and never stop learning. If you are interested in pursuing a career in the film industry, consider taking the NYU Film and TV Industry Essentials online course and certificate program. This program will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the industry.
