By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Josh Telles
David Lynch, who directed films and TV series including Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and Twin Peaks, has died at age 78.
It’s a tough loss for the movie industry. Lynch had a unique way of telling his stories through the lens. His films were primarily dark and twisty, with bizarre images that can give you nightmares. Many critics and fans used the term “Lynchian” to describe his movies.
He was a few days short of turning 79 years old. His birthday is on Monday. Lynch has battled for years with his lungs. He spent many years smoking, and it took a toll on his health.
Lynch studied at the American Film Institute, and little did he know that he would be honored by the institution in the future. Lynch received an honorary degree from the American Film Institute in 2012.
Lynch’s first feature film, “Eraserhead,” is the indie film that put him on the map or, should we say, that got his filmmaking career started. Eraserhead hit theaters in 1977.
His work in Eraserhead caught the attention of successful producer Mel Brooks. When Brooks looked for someone to direct “The Elephant Man,” he felt that Lynch was the man for the job.
What made Lynch get started on screenwriting? Does it come easy or hard for him? Lynch shared his thoughts on writing in an interview, and his answer is not a typical cliche response from a director-writer standpoint.
“Most of every single thing is common sense,” Lynch said. “If you get an idea, you see the idea, and you would want first to put it in words and try to make the words say what the idea is. It’s a tricky business, but it’s not that difficult.”
Lynch was an exceptional filmmaker and screenwriter. His body of work led him to earn three Academy Award nominations for Best Director for “The Elephant Man,” “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive.
The cinematography for Blue Velvet is outstanding. It has impeccable lighting and color.
Lynch received other accolades throughout his career, such as the n honorary Academy Award at the Motion Picture Academy’s Governors Awards in 2009.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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