’Chevalier’ Director Stephen Williams on Big Breaks Outside of Hollywood

2023-04-21

Stephen Williams is a producer, director, and writer who has worked on popular TV shows such as Lost, Undercovers, and Watchmen. He recently directed, Chevalier, a film based on the true story of one of France’s most important composers. Chevalier is about the journey of understanding oneself better, through the trials and tribulations that life sends one’s way.In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and director Stephen Williams, discuss: Growing up in Jamaica and skipping class to go to the movie theater Starting as a PA in a produ...

Stephen Williams is a producer, director, and writer who has worked on popular TV shows such as Lost, Undercovers, and Watchmen. He recently directed, Chevalier, a film based on the true story of one of France’s most important composers. Chevalier is about the journey of understanding oneself better, through the trials and tribulations that life sends one’s way.

In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and director Stephen Williams, discuss:

Growing up in Jamaica and skipping class to go to the movie theater
Starting as a PA in a production house in Toronto, Canada
Moving to Hawaii to produce and direct episodes of Lost
Comparing the role of producer to the role of director
A scene in Chevalier, that was like a rap battle, but with violins
Selecting collaborators behind the camera with the same care you cast the performers
An example of how his collaborators saved him from making a mistake
Thinking about the impact his career has on his family
How to tell a narrative story about a real person
Identifying and connecting to the journey of the main character

You can watch Chevalier in theaters on April 21, 2023.

Memorable Quotes

“Literally on a Friday I was pushing a broom as a PA, and on a Monday, I was a director at this company.” [9:00]
“I just didn’t find anything that really warranted me stopping what I was doing, until I read Chevalier.” [19:25]
“I want everyone to feel free…completely free to bring all of themselves to the table.” [28:18]
“My working life is really important to me, but it pales in comparison to my family life.” [34:52]
“Not everything has to be factually true…It just has to be essentially true.” [42:44]

Mentioned Resources:

Chevalier trailer

More of Stephen’s work

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