Wes Anderson Explores the Artistic Journey Involved in His Movies in a Brief Documentary
Wes Anderson’s movies are unmistakable thanks to their unique visual aesthetics featuring gentle and ethereal color schemes, fanciful arrangements, and whimsical camera movements. The acclaimed director has crafted 12 films throughout 29 years, starting with his debut, *Bottle Rocket*, and including blockbusters such as *The Grand Budapest Hotel* and *The Royal Tenenbaums*. Now, the iconic filmmaker unveils the creative journey behind each of these works in a captivating [short documentary by Vanity Fair](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEOvfStFSvM).
Anderson describes his script-writing journey as akin to unearthing a treasure. He states, “When you’re narrating a story, it frequently feels less like constructing a building and more like digging for artifacts. It’s something that’s always been there—we’re simply bringing it to light.” He recalls the lessons he learned while producing his first short, *Bottle Rocket*, which ultimately transformed into a feature film in 1996. He found inspiration in his own upbringing in Houston and Dallas, the hometowns of both himself and Owen Wilson, the film’s star. “It [embodied] the chaos of our experiences and the unpredictability of everything.”
In just two years, in 1998, Anderson released *Rushmore*. He elaborates on the scoring process for a film, discussing how music can impart a unique “spirit” to his movies. Anderson notes that the imagery in *Rushmore* was often synchronized with the musical score, with the crew regularly using a stopwatch to meticulously time each sequence. He also recounts how Jason Schwartzman was first cast—an actor who has featured in nearly all of Anderson’s films since then.
When talking about *Isle of Dogs*, released in 2018, the filmmaker reveals that the concept was initially meant to be a brief segment in *The French Dispatch*, but he soon recognized it warranted a standalone film. “This [narrative] is larger and more intricate,” he remarks. “The cost of producing the 30-minute version of this is excessive. We might as well create the 85-minute version and turn it into a film.”
The animated feature, set on a “garbage dump island” in Japan, originated from Anderson’s long-held desire to produce a stop-motion film located in a dump. He explains, “The intricacy and visuals of it were always something I had in mind, waiting to be realized.”
The writer-director also delves into his creative methodology behind several of his legendary films, including *The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou*, *Moonrise Kingdom*, and his latest project, *The Phoenician Scheme*, which is currently in theaters. The narrative centers around a wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda, who designates his only daughter, a nun, as the sole inheritor of his fortune. Anderson shares the film’s inspiration and how the surreal script, co-written with Roman Coppola, came to fruition. “It’s always somewhat improvised,” he explains. “If you’re collaborating with someone, there’s often a performance element in the writing.”
Anderson’s extensive oeuvre establishes him as a dynamic filmmaker—and he shows no indication of pausing. “I haven’t reached a point where I’m unsure of my next step,” he states. “I’ve consistently had another idea that emerges from somewhere within my subconscious.” He adds, “I always feel as if I have a purpose.”
Watch the complete video below.
## Wes Anderson unveils the creative process behind each of his 12 films in this intriguing short documentary.
**Wes Anderson: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/wesandersonplanet/) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/people/Wes-Anderson/100044594042599/#)**
#### *Source: [Every Wes Anderson Movie, Explained by Wes Anderson | Vanity Fair](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEOvfStFSvM)*
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