At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce captivated a packed room of aspiring filmmakers with a masterclass titled “How to Succeed in New Hollywood.”
The session offered invaluable insights into the filmmaking process, from script to screen, with Noyce sharing his journey from a childhood dream of being a ringmaster to becoming a celebrated director.
Noyce, this year’s recipient of the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, began by reflecting on his early fascination with the circus, where he admired the ringmaster’s control over the show. However, it was the joy of audience laughter that eventually led him to pursue a career in film. “You have to find the right crew and idea to make a great film,” Noyce told the eager crowd, emphasising the importance of collaboration in filmmaking.
The director of iconic films such as Clear and Present Danger (1994), Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), and Salt (2010) discussed the critical role of writers in a film’s success. “You are only as good as your script,” he said, stressing the importance of nurturing a positive relationship between directors and writers. “The script is the backbone of any film,” he added.
Drawing on his 54-year career, Noyce also addressed the practicalities of filmmaking, including budgeting and pre-production.
Noyce advised filmmakers to learn how to work with smaller budgets, leveraging modern technology to reduce costs and risks. “You need to make a movie many times before it’s approved by producers and actors,” he noted, highlighting the essential planning and storyboarding required in the pre-production phase.
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