As far as creativity is concerned, there are many elements of a movie or tv show that inspire me. So many that I would probably be here for days if I were to attempt to describe them all. However, I find it quite interesting when a movie or show makes reference to other shows or makes you think about what is said or happening. I like it when there is so much in a video that you have to pause it here and there to think about it or re-watch it several times just to get the full picture. In short, I am generally fascinated by creative works that make you think “that was clever.”
As a result of this, I am drawn to the people who create these types of movies and shows, and hope to someday follow in their footsteps. I feel, however, that it is important to understand who these people are and what about them captures my imagination and inspires the work that I create. So, I have created a list of three of these influential people.
Seth MacFarlane
In today's day and age, it is very difficult to create a successful television show. Audiences are very critical and have specific tastes that they expect to be satisfied. However, one person seems to have defied this notion: Seth MacFarlane.
Since 2005, Seth MacFarlane has been producing two hit television series: Family Guy (1999) and American Dad (2005). However, Seth MacFarlane doesn't simply produce these shows, but created, animates, writes, and voices a majority of the characters on them as well.
Though it is simple to see why I admire this man, the thing that really inspires me is the amount of thought that goes into each episode. Each episode is riddled with sub-text in the form of references to movies or current events, in addition to clever gags and dialogue. It is these elements that turn an ordinary television show plot into an intriguing adventure through pop culture that allows the viewer to laugh at life and even learn a few things here and there. Seth MacFarlane has taught me the importance of looking at ourselves and laughing every once in a while, and it is this that has influenced my work.
Although it is very unfortunate that this great man died this past fall, his work will continue to influence many - myself included - for years to come.
Originally a serious, dramatic actor, Nielsen rose to prominence in the early 1980's after starring in Airplane! From this point on, Leslie Nielsen would become a household name which was synonymous with the goofy, over-the-top, parody style of comedy.
There were many things to admire about Leslie Nielsen, such as his innate ability to say or do something completely wacky while maintaining a straight face and acting as though nothing were wrong. However, the thing that inspires me the most is his impact on modern comedy. Along with the writing/directing trio comprised of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, Leslie Nielsen helped to create a new form of comedy that would become known as deadpan or the “screwball” comedy. This sparked a sub-genre of its own and inspired a series of films and tv shows that would mimic the style of Leslie Nielsen. One particular example of this is the 1982 TV series Police Squad! (shown below). Like the rest of Nielsen's films, this parody of the classic crime/detective drama used the concept of contrast in a comical way. The characters in the show acted seriously in silly situations and seemed to be oblivious to what was happening around them. As a result, this added to the show's funny nature and created that deadpan style of comedy that Nielsen was known for.
Charlie Chaplin
Perhaps one of the greatest and best-known actors/directors in comedic history, Charlie Chaplin has influenced my work in several ways.
Charlie Chaplin made comedy what it is today. His visual comedy style is reflected in many comedians and actors today, including that of Leslie Nielsen. He often portrayed characters who were out-of-place misfits whose mistakes provided entertainment for the viewer. However, the greatest thing that I have learned from Charlie Chaplin is that you do not need to talk to be funny. Since the majority of his films were made during the silent film era, Chaplin used slapstick and the concept of tension and release to make the audience laugh. As demonstrated in the clip below, Chaplin would often put his characters into tense situations (such as being near a grenade that is about to detonate) and exaggerate his actions. He would drag a routine on for an extended period of time, making the audience feel rather uncomfortable, and then “release” the tension by having the character get out of trouble at the last second. This method proved to be extremely effective and drew large audiences to see his films.
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