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Film director Francis Ford Coppola talks filmmaking with students
10/2/2017Francis Ford Coppola, director of movies that include The Godfather series and The Outsiders, spent an hour Monday discussing cinema and literature with 100 students from Grant High.
Coppola’s visit was arranged through a partnership with Literary Arts, who works with visiting artists and authors to visit Portland schools while they're in town for paid speaking gigs.
Coppola sat at the front of the room, next to a microphone, choosing to speak directly to the students, rather than through the speakers mounted on the wall.
He opened the conversation by sharing that he loves visiting and talking with high school and middle school students more than any other audience, because of their sense of curiosity and limitless opportunity.
He spoke about his life (he started using his middle name alongside his work because his older brother did it first), the progression of technology in film, and his career, noting that Rumblefish was his favorite film to work on.
He invited questions, and students weren’t shy.
“What's the biggest mistake a person can make as a filmmaker?" one asked. His response: “The biggest mistake you can make in making film is by not making a film that completely expresses you. You, me, every person here, is a miracle by accident. And the biggest mistake would be to not honor that in your work."
Another asked: "What would you say to someone who isn't sure what they want to do?"
Coppola’s answer: "When you're young, they want you to decide what you want to be. I think you should just do everything that you love and then someday those interests will come together to show you what you should be."
After Coppola's hour with the students, Grant Librarian Paige Battle, who organized the visit, was thrilled with the encouragement he gave the students to explore the arts.
"So often, the arts are the first thing to go," Paige says. "I was so happy that he encouraged the students to explore their craft, follow their passion and not give up on their art.”
-Laura Hanson
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