Sean Durkin
Sean Durkin is a producer and director, known for Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), Mary Last Seen (2010) and James White (2015).
I think as a child I was really afraid of groups that conformed. Cults were really an example of that. I'm attracted to fear. I'm attracted ...Show more »
I think as a child I was really afraid of groups that conformed. Cults were really an example of that. I'm attracted to fear. I'm attracted to movies that scare you. I knew I would just end up working in that realm. Show less «
I was really into writing short fiction and also photography when I was a kid.
I was really into writing short fiction and also photography when I was a kid.
I remember being at school during morning meeting and looking around at everybody, 350 kids, saying a prayer. We're all very young and no on...Show more »
I remember being at school during morning meeting and looking around at everybody, 350 kids, saying a prayer. We're all very young and no one knows what it means, and I remember feeling strange that people were just repeating words that they didn't understand. I refused to participate. For some reason I always rejected it, but respectfully. Show less «
When I was a little kid, I loved horror films. I always liked being scared.
When I was a little kid, I loved horror films. I always liked being scared.
I wasn't good enough to be a professional soccer player obviously but that was my first goal in life.
I wasn't good enough to be a professional soccer player obviously but that was my first goal in life.
When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a cult.
When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a cult.
I went to my first college to play soccer.
I went to my first college to play soccer.
Yeah, in my scripts, I don't tend to describe landscape too clearly because I like to keep it really basic and sort of let people paint thei...Show more »
Yeah, in my scripts, I don't tend to describe landscape too clearly because I like to keep it really basic and sort of let people paint their own picture. I don't find it helpful to spend a page describing a setting, except for maybe a few key things. Show less «
Filmmaking is a real craft.
Filmmaking is a real craft.
I won't rewrite on set, but I'll just trim the fat.
I won't rewrite on set, but I'll just trim the fat.
I always try to keep the confidence of the actors, and try my best to make them feel comfortable or confident.
I always try to keep the confidence of the actors, and try my best to make them feel comfortable or confident.
When someone stays with you and they're not your guest, even when they are your guest they get on your nerves. When people visit for long pe...Show more »
When someone stays with you and they're not your guest, even when they are your guest they get on your nerves. When people visit for long periods of time, that just happens. Show less «
When I was a kid, I was afraid of large group of conforming people.
When I was a kid, I was afraid of large group of conforming people.
Sports teams, people who follow sports teams, religion, churches, work - any company, I find that people just generally have a need to belon...Show more »
Sports teams, people who follow sports teams, religion, churches, work - any company, I find that people just generally have a need to belong to something larger than themselves. Show less «
I love the first hour of a horror movie, the fear and anticipation. Then, when it gets bloody, I lose interest.
I love the first hour of a horror movie, the fear and anticipation. Then, when it gets bloody, I lose interest.
Well, first of all, making films is a collaborative process. You need people. You need people you trust and love and who are your friends. P...Show more »
Well, first of all, making films is a collaborative process. You need people. You need people you trust and love and who are your friends. People you can work with. Show less «
I'm interested in adapting books and all sorts of things.
I'm interested in adapting books and all sorts of things.
It's sort of one ongoing process where writing ends and directing starts.
It's sort of one ongoing process where writing ends and directing starts.
The trappings of a religious cult tend to fall into candlelit ceremonies and robes and group chanting and singing and prayer.
The trappings of a religious cult tend to fall into candlelit ceremonies and robes and group chanting and singing and prayer.
I'm a believer in film school.
I'm a believer in film school.
I would like to do a sports movie.
I would like to do a sports movie.
What I learned from directing, I learned from soccer, where it's like a coach-player relationship.
What I learned from directing, I learned from soccer, where it's like a coach-player relationship.
You can't write something to please someone.
You can't write something to please someone.
When you write, no matter what, it ends up personal.
When you write, no matter what, it ends up personal.
When I hire actors I believe in their abilities.
When I hire actors I believe in their abilities.
The way brainwashing works is subtle and takes a long time.
The way brainwashing works is subtle and takes a long time.
You know, when you're isolated on set for like a month, people like to get rowdy.
You know, when you're isolated on set for like a month, people like to get rowdy.
In editing, it's amazing how you choose the in and out points. What you cut on is everything for creating tension. It's amazing how expandin...Show more »
In editing, it's amazing how you choose the in and out points. What you cut on is everything for creating tension. It's amazing how expanding a shot by five seconds can just ruin the tension. Show less «
A big fear of working with an actor that's never been a lead in a film before is that you're going to have to work really hard to pull a per...Show more »
A big fear of working with an actor that's never been a lead in a film before is that you're going to have to work really hard to pull a performance out of her. Show less «
Sean Durkin's Photos
