When you hear the name David Lynch, what comes to mind first? Probably films like Blue Velvet or Mulholland Drive. Or maybe it’s the television hit Twin Peaks. Lynch is an American filmmaking and television icon at this point, known for his uniquely disturbing and mind-bending visual work.
His work has inspired us here at KitSplit to create and be weird–so we thought we’d round up a few quotes from Lynch where he shares his advice for aspiring filmmakers and artists.
David Lynch on infantilizing your audience
“In Hollywood, more often than not, they’re making more kind of traditional films, stories that are understood by people. And the entire story is understood. And they become worried if even for one small moment something happens that is not understood by everyone.”
David Lynch on the importance of how you consume media
How a movie or work of art is created is important–but just as important is how you consume it. Sure, watching a movie at home in your bed is easy–but are you getting the full experience? In an interview with Deborah Solomon, David explains:
“There’s nothing like the big screen. The cinema is really built for the big screen and big sound, so that a person can go into another world and have an experience.” When asked how he felt about people watching his films on a laptop he goes on, “More and more people are seeing the films on computers – lousy sound, lousy picture – and they think they’ve seen the film, but they really haven’t.”
“If we didn’t want to upset anyone, we would make films about sewing, but even that could be dangerous.”
David Lynch on why film is important
“Film exists because we can go and have experiences that would be pretty dangerous or strange for us in real life. We can go into a room and walk into a dream. If we didn’t want to upset anyone, we would make films about sewing, but even that could be dangerous. But I think finally, in a film, it is how the balance is and the feelings are. But I think there has to be those contrasts and strong things within a film for the total experience.”
David Lynch on starting from the bottom
Sometimes you need to start from the bottom. Or you’re forced to. Either way, David is convinced that some of the best art comes from starting with very little.
“When you’re down, when you’ve been kicked down in the street and then kicked a few more times until you’re bleeding and your teeth are out, then you only have up to go. You get reborn again, and expectations aren’t so great because they’ve taken you away. It’s beautiful to be down there. It’s so beautiful!”
‘Blue Velvet’, 1986
David Lynch on ideas and how they grow
“They’re like fish. If you get an idea that’s thrilling to you, put your attention on it and these other fish will swim into it. It’s like a bait. They’ll hook on to it and you’ll get more ideas. And you just pull them in.”
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