John Sayles
John Sayles
Full Name and Common Aliases
John Thomas Sayles is an American screenwriter, film director, actor, and novelist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on September 28, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York. Still active in the entertainment industry today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Screenwriter, Film Director, Actor, and Novelist.
Early Life and Background
John Sayles was born into a family of artists and writers. His mother, Mary McCarty, was an actress, and his father, John Lindley Sayles, was a screenwriter and novelist. This early exposure to the arts had a significant influence on Sayles' future career choices.
Growing up in Schenectady, New York, Sayles developed a passion for storytelling and writing at an early age. He began writing short stories and novels while still in high school, which eventually led him to attend Williams College. After graduating from college, Sayles went on to earn his MFA in creative writing from the University of California, Berkeley.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, John Sayles has made significant contributions to both film and literature. As a screenwriter, he is known for his realistic portrayals of everyday life, often focusing on themes of social justice and human relationships.
Some of Sayles' most notable works include:
Baby It's You (1983): A comedy-drama about a young couple navigating the ups and downs of marriage.
The Brother from Another Planet (1984): A science fiction film that explores issues of identity, community, and social justice.
Eight Men Out (1988): A historical drama based on the 1919 Black Sox Scandal.Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his work as a screenwriter and director, Sayles has also published several novels, including:
Union Dues (1977)
Los Gusanos (1983)
Dogs of Babel (2001)
Sayles' work often blends elements of fiction and nonfiction, reflecting his interest in exploring the complexities of human experience.
Impact and Legacy
John Sayles' contributions to film and literature have had a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. His commitment to social justice and human relationships has inspired a new generation of writers and filmmakers.
Sayles' influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary directors, including:
Richard Linklater: Known for films like Dazed and Confused (1993) and Boyhood (2014).
Wes Anderson: Famous for his quirky comedies such as Rushmore (1998) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Sayles is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking stories, nuanced characters, and dedication to social justice. His ability to balance humor and drama has made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
As a writer and director, John Sayles continues to inspire audiences with his unique perspective on human experience.
Quotes by John Sayles
John Sayles's insights on:
I figured somebody wrote a story who had a typewriter and I thought that movies were made by the cowboys and that they just said, 'Okay, you fall off the horse this time.'
Well, acting is cheap; I knew all these actors who weren’t in the Screen Actors Guild yet, and it happened that they were all just about thirty years old.
For me the writing, when I’m going to direct it myself, is really just the first draft, and I don’t change it very much; I only change it on average about two lines per movie.
Basically, if you could get a good trailer out of the script, Roger had no objection to you making a really good movie. He liked it if you did. He liked the more cleverness and ingenuity you could bring to it. He just wasn’t going to give you any more money.
The hardest thing about movie acting is that if you’re playing a character who changes within the movie, you’ve got to do that, but you’ve got to do it out of sequence, because we never have gotten to shoot in sequence, and that’s really, really tough.
When I was really young I didn’t know that there was such a thing as a screenwriter. I wrote stories.
When I read a story or see something play out in front of me I say, how come nobody’s made a movie or a television show out of this? This is something that belongs in the conversation. Certainly that’s what interests me about a project.
He likes to know things. He checks out book and record collections when he visits people, looks in medicine cabinets, takes inventory in refrigerators. He eaves drops on conversations at public phone booths. He reads murder victims’ mail.
But compared to writing a novel, where you can be God, I did the Bay of Pigs invasion in six pages once, and there were 50,000 guys with boots that I didn’t have to pay, and all those extras; we didn’t have to pay them.