Christopher McQuarrie is such a heavyweight filmmaker and easily one of the best in the business today. Tom Cruise is very smart to keep him close on all his movies. This man knows what he is doing and any aspiring filmmaker would be wise to listen to what McQuarrie has to say. Great interview!
Christopher Lockhart gives Christopher McQuarrie a brilliant, masterclass-worthy interview with the incredible assistance of Ramesh Santanam. The information in this interview is NOT rhetoric that is peppered all over the internet. You can only find it here. It is pure gold from start to finish. Thank you Chris, Ramesh, and McQ!
Feel free to use this in your description for the second half of time stamps: 47:55 - Go make movies 55:31 - Turn a pitch meeting on its head 57:24 - Edge of Tomorrow 58:56 - Work on your projects while giving others value 1:01:15 - Dry spell after The Way of The Gun 1:02:13 - True success 1:12:12 - What do you love about filmmaking? 1:15:32 - What would you do if you couldn't write/direct? 1:16:27 - How did you fall into screenwriting? 1:24:01 - How to become a Screenwriter 1:28:00 - Attitude is everything 1:31:46 - Q1 - Pressure & budget 1:36:15 - Q2 - Star Wars: Rogue One 1:39:59 - Q3 - WW II Movie "The Last Mission" & why pitch meetings are BS 1:43:58 - Q4 - Lenses & Cameras: The Million Dollar Question! 1:51:52 - Q5 - Deal breakers 1:55:10 - Q6 - Music, experience, exposition, and emotion 1:59:04 - Q7 - How do you process notes? 2:03:10 - Rebecca Ferguson's shoes & character 2:04:15 - Q8 - Should writers write for budget? 2:04:56 - Q9 - How do you define voice? 2:06:52 - Outro
I feel like I should’ve paid a lot of money to watch this. Mind blowing knowledge bombs being dropped here - a master class, really! Sheesh! Thank you!
Every time I listen to Christopher McQuarrie (I can't call him McQ until he say I can!), I learn something new, or even better, something I knew but didn't have words for. I know I came to this years after it posted, but it was a great watch.
I had to come back and comment - this interview is beyond amazing. So so SO many pearls Chris drops that I keep thinking of. This video deserves 10 million views. I hope you can get him back for another interview, and even ask about his book. Thanks again!
Holy crap, I'm loving him. What is it like living / being around someone with his kind of vision? The love and degree of respect that grows from being around these talented people are awe-inspiring.
Great take on how the 'rules' force him to be more creative. Plenty of usable, constructive advice throughout, but especially towards the end on whether to "write to a budget" and how to take a note..."How do I take the note in a way that makes me proud? that fits into my storytelling philosophy? ... Take [the note] figuratively, take it emotionally." Favorite quote--"All of you strike the word 'aspiring' from your title." McQuarrie is always extremely generous with his time and expertise, as are Lockhart & Santanam. Highly recommend.
Just for the record, he actually did have a musical number in Fallout. I saw it in the test screening. It was Vanessa Kirby in the private salon. In the finished movie she's giving a speech about her mom, but in the test screening she was performing a song.
@@vimalmannapurath9651 It was years ago but I remember one or two things. The helicopter chase at the end was longer, with a segment in the middle where Ethan flies below the clouds and almost directly into a big rig on a highway. It seemed like the foot chase in London was a little longer in the test screening. The deleted scene where they swing down into the party or whatever was already cut by that time, so I didn't see that. Let's see... what else... that's all I remember.
Writers NEED to take his class, or just watch his interviews. These interviews are career GOLD. I don't know if he teaches at a university in America. But they NEED to start inviting he....QUICK!
This has put so much into perspective, thank you 🙏🏽 When you’re a writer; you can’t help but write and the more life experience we have, the more we generate. Stuff that can be utilised in many different genres. Also cognisant of the fact that it IS indeed a business. It can be fun but there should be no nepotism and as Christopher said, “nobody owes you anything”. Either you can write and work cohesively and creatively with different types of people or you can’t. I was told when I was around eight by the school headmaster that he though I should focus on english lit, english lang and creative arts. Was never discouraged by our parents but some older siblings have since done their utmost to derail things. It happens but we are who we are regardless of other’s best/worst efforts.
Very inspiring, hardcore knowledge re getting our vision out there. Especially now, as the WGA and my union, SAG-AFTRA, are in the existential fight of our professional lives. Make your movie!! 🖤
Ramesh you need a light and mic bro! lol. McQ is quite a first interview. Rewatched Fallout for the 6th time tonight. I think it's safe to say it's an absolute masterpiece.
The back light was an interesting concept I have not heard but makes a lot of sense when recording video streams at my church. When having back lighting at church does make the service look more cinematic.
"Just because you make or write a movie about something significant doesn't make your movie significant. The execution needs to be there and it needs to be in your own voice for people to feel the story. It could be about cancer, depression, love, job struggles, family, politics, saving lives, or even some significant experience or memory of yours, but you still need to do the work to help your audience feel it. Otherwise all they'll come away feeling is that it was a poor attempt at something good without feeling the good." - my quote because why not [Basically I just very much agree with Chris's views]
So he starts with no completed script, just an outline. When during the shoot does he get to write the new page? From what he said, he has the fear of not delivering quite a lot then.
Bryan Singer is a director known for Tye Usual Suspects, X-Men, X2: X-Men United, Superman Returns, Valkyrie, Bohemian Rhapsody, and other films. He and McQ grew up together in New Jersey and rose to prominence together on The Usual Suspects.
@@BigShotCritic Oh okay. I am most familiar with Bryan from Superman Returns since Robert Myer Burnett brings up Bryan a lot on working on the special features for Superman Returns on the John Campea Show. I did not realize he worked on Valkyrie and Bohemian Rhapsody as well.
Barbie and Oppenheimer take all the IMAX screens that's why and the film had only 60 day window without the big expensive IMAX screens not like top gun Maverick had 120 day in IMAX screens and made 1.4 billion dollars just bad lack and marketing imo the next one will make money part 2 coming in 2025.
MCq is probably the most generous & genius living filmmaker.
Absolutely! This interview is priceless.
I'm not even in the movie business at all and yet this is just enthralling.
“The word is not entertainment, the word is engagement”. Right you are, Mr McQ!
This interview is a masterclass in filmmaking, and perseverance. I'm so inspired. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like more
Christopher McQuarrie is such a heavyweight filmmaker and easily one of the best in the business today. Tom Cruise is very smart to keep him close on all his movies. This man knows what he is doing and any aspiring filmmaker would be wise to listen to what McQuarrie has to say. Great interview!
Christopher Lockhart gives Christopher McQuarrie a brilliant, masterclass-worthy interview with the incredible assistance of Ramesh Santanam. The information in this interview is NOT rhetoric that is peppered all over the internet. You can only find it here. It is pure gold from start to finish. Thank you Chris, Ramesh, and McQ!
@@isisemydarwish Thank you so much, emmy!
A great director of our time . Thanks .
Feel free to use this in your description for the second half of time stamps:
47:55 - Go make movies
55:31 - Turn a pitch meeting on its head
57:24 - Edge of Tomorrow
58:56 - Work on your projects while giving others value
1:01:15 - Dry spell after The Way of The Gun
1:02:13 - True success
1:12:12 - What do you love about filmmaking?
1:15:32 - What would you do if you couldn't write/direct?
1:16:27 - How did you fall into screenwriting?
1:24:01 - How to become a Screenwriter
1:28:00 - Attitude is everything
1:31:46 - Q1 - Pressure & budget
1:36:15 - Q2 - Star Wars: Rogue One
1:39:59 - Q3 - WW II Movie "The Last Mission" & why pitch meetings are BS
1:43:58 - Q4 - Lenses & Cameras: The Million Dollar Question!
1:51:52 - Q5 - Deal breakers
1:55:10 - Q6 - Music, experience, exposition, and emotion
1:59:04 - Q7 - How do you process notes?
2:03:10 - Rebecca Ferguson's shoes & character
2:04:15 - Q8 - Should writers write for budget?
2:04:56 - Q9 - How do you define voice?
2:06:52 - Outro
Every word coming out of his mouth is gold!
For real
Love it when he drops pearls for screenwriters. Thank you!
I feel like I should’ve paid a lot of money to watch this. Mind blowing knowledge bombs being dropped here - a master class, really! Sheesh! Thank you!
This is one of the greatest, most interesting interviews I've ever listened to. Wow!
I love that you thanked your sixth grade teacher and are still in touch with her. And your great advice on taking notes.
Every time I listen to Christopher McQuarrie (I can't call him McQ until he say I can!), I learn something new, or even better, something I knew but didn't have words for.
I know I came to this years after it posted, but it was a great watch.
incredible interview. I could listen to McQ talk all day long.
He makes some very fascinating points about the storytelling process, I cant wait to read your book, Mr. Mcquarrie
I am grateful for stumbling upon this. I am not a filmmaker, I just enjoy good movies. This interview was enlightening! Such knowledge and wisdom. Thx
I had to come back and comment - this interview is beyond amazing. So so SO many pearls Chris drops that I keep thinking of. This video deserves 10 million views. I hope you can get him back for another interview, and even ask about his book. Thanks again!
Fantastic filmmaking interview! Well worth your time!
How I wish I was related to him.
Holy crap, I'm loving him. What is it like living / being around someone with his kind of vision? The love and degree of respect that grows from being around these talented people are awe-inspiring.
The best thing about this interview is that he did not give the standard answers to any of the questions, really.
This guy is dropping absolute diamonds here. Most inspiration filmmaker imo
His mind and eloquence blows my mind.
You're not alone.
Great take on how the 'rules' force him to be more creative. Plenty of usable, constructive advice throughout, but especially towards the end on whether to "write to a budget" and how to take a note..."How do I take the note in a way that makes me proud? that fits into my storytelling philosophy? ... Take [the note] figuratively, take it emotionally." Favorite quote--"All of you strike the word 'aspiring' from your title." McQuarrie is always extremely generous with his time and expertise, as are Lockhart & Santanam. Highly recommend.
Probably the best film class there is! Thanks.
Second time watching. The info is invaluable. McQ would have been a great Professor.
What an incredible interview!
This is absolutely incredible interview! Packed with wisdom. Thank you so much for this!
Brilliant. This is legitimately a modern filmmaking Masterclass. Fantastic questions and topics and a fantastic guest.
You guys good team
Game-changing advice from somebody who's living as a player!
This is absolutely amazing. Some of the best advice and inspiration from a filmmaker I’ve seen. Thanks for this wonderful interview.
wow, what a treat this is!
Thank you guys for interviewing chris, he is my favorite living film maker for many years now.
37:29 Great interview. Thank you.
OH MAN HOW FREAKING BRILLIANT WAS THIS!
Amazing talk! Thank you so much. Watched all two hours and LOVED IT!
Amazing. So applicable in real life as well being a character living out their story.
Great interview - very honest & inspiring.
Great lecture/interview !
Just for the record, he actually did have a musical number in Fallout. I saw it in the test screening. It was Vanessa Kirby in the private salon. In the finished movie she's giving a speech about her mom, but in the test screening she was performing a song.
Hey! Hello! Can you point out what else was diffrent in the test screenings compared to the theatre version?
@@vimalmannapurath9651 It was years ago but I remember one or two things. The helicopter chase at the end was longer, with a segment in the middle where Ethan flies below the clouds and almost directly into a big rig on a highway. It seemed like the foot chase in London was a little longer in the test screening. The deleted scene where they swing down into the party or whatever was already cut by that time, so I didn't see that. Let's see... what else... that's all I remember.
@@BigShotCritic Thank you. And was there more scenes of August Walker(Cavill)..
@@vimalmannapurath9651 I don't remember any extra with him.
@@BigShotCritic ok😊
I be am a photographer but I liked that description McQuarrie gave on lens and intimacy.
Writers NEED to take his class, or just watch his interviews. These interviews are career GOLD. I don't know if he teaches at a university in America. But they NEED to start inviting he....QUICK!
This has put so much into perspective, thank you 🙏🏽 When you’re a writer; you can’t help but write and the more life experience we have, the more we generate. Stuff that can be utilised in many different genres. Also cognisant of the fact that it IS indeed a business. It can be fun but there should be no nepotism and as Christopher said, “nobody owes you anything”. Either you can write and work cohesively and creatively with different types of people or you can’t.
I was told when I was around eight by the school headmaster that he though I should focus on english lit, english lang and creative arts. Was never discouraged by our parents but some older siblings have since done their utmost to derail things.
It happens but we are who we are regardless of other’s best/worst efforts.
Gotta bring him back to talk Top Gun 2
Excellent - this was extremely helpful and insightful. Thank you for doing this!
Liked, subscribed, turned on notifications. Awesome.
Great interview!
The movie builds you... couldn't agree more.
Very inspiring, hardcore knowledge re getting our vision out there. Especially now, as the WGA and my union, SAG-AFTRA, are in the existential fight of our professional lives. Make your movie!! 🖤
Ramesh you need a light and mic bro! lol. McQ is quite a first interview. Rewatched Fallout for the 6th time tonight. I think it's safe to say it's an absolute masterpiece.
I did not realize McQuirre did not want to work on Edge of Tomorrow Live, Die Repeat & that it was Tom Cruise’s idea to make a comedy.
Brilliant guy
The back light was an interesting concept I have not heard but makes a lot of sense when recording video streams at my church. When having back lighting at church does make the service look more cinematic.
This is priceless knowledge, insight and advice. Thank you.
Am in 40 minutes and honestly i learned a lot ...... about Writing and filmmaking ....
Awesome!
This was fantastic information
"Just because you make or write a movie about something significant doesn't make your movie significant. The execution needs to be there and it needs to be in your own voice for people to feel the story. It could be about cancer, depression, love, job struggles, family, politics, saving lives, or even some significant experience or memory of yours, but you still need to do the work to help your audience feel it. Otherwise all they'll come away feeling is that it was a poor attempt at something good without feeling the good."
- my quote because why not
[Basically I just very much agree with Chris's views]
Gems.
This was so interesting. I have never seen the Usual Suspects.
It's good 👍 10/10.
He talks so lovely tom no,s who to pick thay have been together for years like Simon pegg i think thay are gorgeous
Mr.McQuarrie should direct next Bond movies
I don't think it will happens soon. He turned many great offers in order to stay loyal to his friend Tom Cruise.
@37:35 It's not about entertainment, it's about engagement.
To Chris and Tom , if there is a MI character that going to be killed off in the upcoming MI7 and 8 , please not Ilsa Faust
🥰🥰💌🌹🍀
When l go home l take my shoes off always because l been waking around
I really think that McQ should direct an MCU movie
So he starts with no completed script, just an outline. When during the shoot does he get to write the new page? From what he said, he has the fear of not delivering quite a lot then.
Bryan Singer sounds familiar. Was he a writer for Star Trek?
Bryan Singer is a director known for Tye Usual Suspects, X-Men, X2: X-Men United, Superman Returns, Valkyrie, Bohemian Rhapsody, and other films. He and McQ grew up together in New Jersey and rose to prominence together on The Usual Suspects.
@@BigShotCritic Oh okay. I am most familiar with Bryan from Superman Returns since Robert Myer Burnett brings up Bryan a lot on working on the special features for Superman Returns on the John Campea Show. I did not realize he worked on Valkyrie and Bohemian Rhapsody as well.
I hate him. For being so blunt. LOL :))
Why don’t you come film in USA you always film in uk
1 hour 41 minute..
He does sound blunt l don’t just eat he is
He's dropping knowledge, but I'm not sure about how to pick them all up
What went o Impossible 7 why didn't go well in the box office sad didn't go well you director What went wrong
Barbie and Oppenheimer take all the IMAX screens that's why and the film had only 60 day window without the big expensive IMAX screens not like top gun Maverick had 120 day in IMAX screens and made 1.4 billion dollars just bad lack and marketing imo the next one will make money part 2 coming in 2025.
You're trying to make yourself a filmmaker instead of letting the film make you a filmmaker.
1:01:00
Mc Quarrie you are a disgrace to screenwriting.