There are few things more important to film directors than visual style. While story and performance are always given the utmost attention, the look and feel of a film can be just as influential. Visual style gives directors a unique voice that can make their work recognizable without a word being uttered. And with recognition comes reputation: legendary filmmakers such as Francois Truffaut, Orson Welles, and Alfred Hitchcock had such distinct styles that their names became synonymous with their singular aesthetics.
Today, this is more important than ever. Modern directors have to find new ways to tell stories that will set them apart from the pack, and a select few do it in a way that speaks to their unique sensibilities while resonating with a wide audience. In the video below, we pay homage to the visual style of five present-day legends using only footage and music found in the Shutterstock library. Check it out, then click on any of the links below to view the clips viewed in each tribute, along with more selections inspired by each of these acclaimed auteurs.
Click on any of the images below to explore the Shutterstock clips that were used to create the video segment, plus additional videos that reflect each director’s style.
Which other directors do you think have styles unique enough to pay tribute to? Tell us in the comments — or better yet, show us by putting together your own video using Sequence, the new in-browser editing tool from Shutterstock Labs!
Soundtrack links:
Wes Anderson tribute: Summer by Van Doom
David Fincher tribute: Interference by Ewan McArthur
Quentin Tarantino tribute: Cannonball by Los Twang! Marvels
Alfonso Cuarón tribute: Another Sunrise Peel by Rob Simonsen
Terrence Malick tribute: A Threat Of Snow by Simon Robinson