Masterclass with director Todd Haynes

In today’s masterclass interview, powerhouse director Todd Haynes provided insight on a wide range of topics— spanning from the inspiration behind his love of cinema, his creative process, and the importance of music in his films. 

Haynes took a variety of questions from three panel moderators; perhaps the most compelling of these regarded the impact of Haynes’ childhood on his relationship with cinema. Haynes revealed that he has been in love with the craft since he watched his first ever movie, saying “The first film I saw as a child was Mary Poppins when I was three, and it induced a kind of passionate psychosis in me that generated some kind of urgent desire to respond by making things.” 

Haynes went on to discuss the key elements of his creative process. These touchpoints include his famous “scrapbooks” which serve as a visual manifestation of the aesthetic he wants to achieve for a given film. Within the creative process, Haynes also discussed the value of music. Throughout his films, Haynes feels the score is integral for understanding the deeper themes the movie is seeking to convey. He stressed the value of knowing when to use preexisting music or when to create an original score for a given film.

Overall, this masterclass provided insight into the driving forces behind Todd Haynes— his creative approach, his original inspirations, and the power of various art forms in his storytelling.