Festivals - AFI FEST 2017 : Patty Jenkins Conversation

By Mulder, Los Angeles, 10 november 2017

During the AFI film festival on November 10, 2017, Patty Jenkins sat down with a moderator for a small intimate conversation. Patty is known as writer/director but has been in industry for years. Patty started out as a painter at The Cooper Union in New York City. Even though her passion was music. She transited into filmmaking, were she worked over ten years. As an Assistant Camera Person/Focus Puller on commercials and music videos. One of which was Micheal Jackson’s music video. After she attended the AFI in Los Angeles. She was inspired to write. Ending up writing and directing her debut film Monster which she ended up showing at the AFI film festival.

Patty grew up as a military kid. She was born on George Air Force Base, Victorville, California. Her father was a fighter pilot in the Air force. So she grew up on military base. Her father also received the silver star while serving in the Vietnam war. Patty’s favorite genre was comedy and horror growing up. Patty favorite movie is The Shining. Some people like Gary Ross, Kathryn Bigelow, and Steve Perry are people who inspire Patty. When writing movies, she wants to make sure the films have more emotional and realistic feel. Patty believes being a director, it's a duty more than it is a grand title. She believes that the casting of the actors is a hug part of making a movie.

While writing Monster, Patty would talk with convicted serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Who ended up leaving all her personal letters to Patty, before Wuornos was executed in Florida. In 2017, Patty broke the record for Biggest Grossing Live-Action Film Directed by a Woman, Domestic and Worldwide, with Wonder Woman. The film became highest grossing film of the summer of 2017. Patty alway believed that you should pick what you think will be a beautiful film and make it. Patty’s main goal as a director is to make stuff she think will be great. “ As a director you will have choices to do thing and lots of different opportunities.

But you always have to pick what choice is best for you” she says. Going to this event shines a light on a unconventional path that Patty took to become were she is now. She explained how her up and coming experience being behind the camera for years helped her to become the director she is now. Even though it get stressful directing. Patty believes that out of tension comes great art. Her honest and down to earth character helps motivate young woman and men who aspire to do the same thing. Patty’s outlook is what it is to be the director? Only do it because you have the passion for it.

Synopsis Wonder Woman:
When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, Diana, an Amazonian warrior in training, leaves home to fight a war, discovering her full powers and true destiny.

Wonder Woman
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Produced by Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Richard Suckle
Screenplay by Allan Heinberg
Story by Zack Snyder, Allan Heinberg, Jason Fuchs
Based on Wonder Woman by William Moulton Marston
Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya
Music by Rupert Gregson-Williams
Cinematography : Matthew Jensen
Edited by Martin Walsh
Production company : RatPac-Dune Entertainment, DC Films, Tencent Pictures, Wanda Pictures
Atlas Entertainment, Cruel and Unusual Films
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date : May 15, 2017 (Shanghai), June 2, 2017 (United States)
Running time : 141 minutes
Country : United States

Written by Adrian Jones (adj85)

Photos: Images courtesy gettyimages.com