In a quiet corner of a small, modest New York apartment, a young Martin Scorsese nervously approached his parents one night with a declaration that would set him on a path to become one of the most influential film directors of our time. He whispered to his father and mother, "I want to be a director." Little did he know, this simple yet profound statement would change the course of his life forever.
Many parents might have thought their child was out of their mind, and Scorsese's parents were no exception. In hushed voices, his mother and father discussed his ambition, questioning whether there was something wrong with their son. In that moment, they couldn't have known that they were witnessing the birth of a cinematic legend.
Scorsese's first taste of the film world came when he became the assisting cameraman to a talented cinematographer, Bar Bryant. At the time, he was attending NYU and had just been introduced to the world of 16mm filmmaking. However, an opportunity to work on a 35mm film titled "Smile" with director John Albertson proved to be a turning point. Scorsese was elated, yet he quickly realized he was far from perfect in this new role. He couldn't focus the camera, struggling to judge distances and depth of field, leaving him feeling rather inadequate.
When asked if he ever mastered the art of focusing a camera, Scorsese's answer is both candid and humbling. He admitted that he never did become an assistant cameraman again. Yet, in his typical tenacious fashion, he learned an invaluable lesson: "No matter what you have to do on a set, you should do it."
His early days weren't all about cinematic glory. Scorsese also spent time carrying a generator up subway steps with a team of others, discovering the importance of hard work and teamwork. These early experiences instilled in him a work ethic that would serve as the foundation for his illustrious career.
Seeing his name in the credits for the first time was a major milestone for Scorsese. It was a dream come true. However, his journey was not a linear one. He would soon find himself holding lights for Al and Dave Mel's and observing Al's direction as he directed himself on where the viewer's focus should be. These experiences were all stepping stones towards his ultimate goal of creating feature films.
As he continued to build his career, Scorsese landed a job at CBS News, his first "real" job, which provided him with structure and discipline. But his heart was always set on making feature films, a calling that he couldn't ignore.
When asked where that sense of purpose came from, Scorsese reflects that there wasn't really a choice. He was driven by an insatiable desire to tell stories through pictures. He knew he had to master the art of capturing those images, editing them, and finally, bringing his stories to life on the silver screen.
If he could offer advice to his younger self, Scorsese believes it would be to read more. His parents, working diligently in the Garment District, didn't emphasize reading, but Scorsese had to find books in the library and teach himself. He wished he had read more when he was 15 or 16, as it would have opened up a world of knowledge and storytelling even earlier.
The journey of Martin Scorsese, from the young boy whispering his dreams to his parents to the legendary filmmaker we know today, is one filled with passion, determination, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling through the lens of a camera. It's a testament to the power of pursuing one's dreams, no matter how wild or crazy they may seem to others. And as for the young Scorsese, he set out to tell stories with pictures, a dream he achieved and shared with the world, forever altering the landscape of cinema.