Learn - 'There Are No Rules' - Jim Jarmusch

"There are no rules. There are as many ways to make a film as there are potential filmmakers. It’s an open form."

This is the foundation he sets the rest of his thoughts on. Filmmaking and cinema is not about rules — rules make art easier to observe and experience, which is not always so for creating it. To not call something filmmaking because it doesn’t have a narrative or is just a reel of celluloid with pressed leaves is missing the point.

I personally love when filmmakers talk about inflated egos and humility. Jarmusch advises us that filmmaking is never done by one person. It takes a village to make a film, and respecting and valuing each contributor is something every filmmaker must learn:

Filmmaking is a collaborative process. You get the chance to work with others whose minds and ideas may be stronger than your own. Make sure they remain focused on their own function and not someone else’s job, or you’ll have a big mess. But treat all collaborators as equals and with respect. A production assistant who is holding back traffic so the crew can get a shot is no less important than the actors in the scene, the director of photography, the production designer or the director.

Another point he makes that echoes the sentiment on egoism is originality. It’s easy to get a big head when you think you’re the first person to ever use a certain shot, use a certain edit, or pen a certain narrative. Jarmusch says “no way”:

Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.

                      They can either help you, or not help you, but they can’t stop you. People who finance films,                             distribute films, promote films and exhibit films are not filmmakers. They are not interested in                             letting filmmakers define and dictate the way they do their business, so filmmakers should have                         no interest in allowing them to dictate the way a film is made.