Sofia Coppola kicks off master class series

Director Sofia Coppola discussed her creative endeavors and answered student questions in Dodge College’s first master class series of the semester. NICK DE LUCCA, Assistant Features Editor

So, there they were, in the old cobblestone streets of Ireland — an old man and a prostitute striking up a beautiful friendship. 

For Sean Levitt, a senior screenwriting major, this was the foundational pitch for his next passion project. But a foundation was only the start. In search of inspiration, he sought out comparable films from his boss at Storyboard Media Group, who then recommended “Lost in Translation.” Little did he know, it would soon become his favorite film.

Nearly a year later, with a virtual Zoom hand raised, Levitt looked at the “Lost in Translation” poster hanging over his computer in his room. He had already skipped out on an Angels game with his girlfriend to be present for the online call. Next on deck, it was time to brush aside the sweat, calm his nerves and ask the director of his now-favorite movie a question.

On Sept. 22, over 600 students logged on to their computers to listen to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts’ first master class event of the year, kicked off by Sofia Coppola. Calling in from New York City, the soft-spoken auteur shared her wisdom about a plethora of topics, from the use of music in her films to the importance of daydreaming. In the latter portion, she was gracious enough to answer questions from students such as Levitt and myself.

Levitt, with prospective aspirations to move abroad to either Prague or Japan after graduation, used his opportunity to ask Coppola about her own time abroad in Japan and how that paid off in “Lost in Translation.”

“I fully felt like I was about to black out,” Levitt said. “For me, it was a big deal of a question, because it was advice that I was going to take into consideration for my decision. She said that any time you can travel, you’re going to gain experience and that it’s worthwhile, but she said it’s more about taking time to live your life and get those personal experiences in between projects.”

Once I took some deep breaths, I nervously clicked ‘unmute’ and used my fifteen seconds of fame at the masterclass to ask Coppola, on behalf of The Panther, if there was a defining moment when she knew it was time to move on from acting to directing and where she found the confidence to do so. She stated that after realizing she didn’t like to be in front of the camera, she found joy in creating a world from her imagination and putting together a crew to make it happen.

As for the confidence, Coppola said she’s still filled with self-doubt.

“Part of your job as a filmmaker is to get past the self-doubt and make things,” Coppola said. “That’s just part of the process for any artist. I think when you have something in your mind that you really want to see and it’s not out there … It gave me this drive, and you have to follow that drive and curiosity to make what you have in your mind and get it out.” 

The event was moderated by Susie Landau Finch, Dodge adjunct faculty member and manager of Dodge’s new Careers Office, who spoke to Coppola with such comfort and eloquence, it felt like a conversation between friends. 

This could be attributed to the fact that Landau Finch watched Coppola grow up, working for Francis Ford Coppola’s production company, American Zoetrope, on and off for more than 11 years. She even had the opportunity to accompany Coppola to Paris for eight weeks when Coppola was taking on an internship during high school at Chanel. Early on, Landau Finch could see Coppola’s intrinsic style emerging.

“I saw her clarity and singularity early on,” Landau Finch said. “I admired her artwork when she was young and she found her artistic self in these films. As a friend, (I saw) her emerge and overcome adversity… then turn that around and outshine any expectation. Each film is singular and unique, and I’m proud of her and proud to know her. It’s an impressive body of work.”

Like her films, Landau Finch expressed how Coppola delivered her authentic self in the master class. Both Landau Finch and Coppola have worked to find their authentic voices, both being daughters of cornerstone Hollywood contributors Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Landau, who collaborated on “Tucker, A Man and His Dream” prior to its release in 1988.

“Yes, it does give an extra resonance to our relationship, because we both know what it’s like having talented, larger-than-life, somewhat egocentric, creative dads,” Landau Finch said. “You saw her. How she presented herself is who she is. That’s what everyone loves about her movies. She’s very authentic, and her films are emotional, stylistic and well observed. It feels truly organic to her.”

The next master class is set to take place Oct. 20 with Michael Strahan. Other guests throughout the semester include Willem Dafoe, David Chase, Dede Gardner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Halle Berry and Lupita Nyong’o. Landau Finch believes these events help elevate and inspire students, offering more of a creative insight into the lives of industry professionals.

“It makes you feel like they’re real people and think, ‘They’re like me, I can be like them,’” Landau Finch said. “They’re more relaxed and candid (in a masterclass) than in a TV interview. They offer more of the process and things that will help students think of themselves as artists, crafts-people and industry professionals.”

For Levitt, who turned down Syracuse University and Emerson University, the master class series has helped reaffirm that coming to Chapman was the right decision in pursuing his career in the film industry. 

“At the end of the day, Chapman had the best program for what I wanted to do,” Levitt said. “Being able to see people like Bong Joon Ho, Bryan Cranston and even Josh Peck is an awesome opportunity. I got to ask a question and have a short conversation with the director of my favorite movie. Nothing (could make) me happier about my decision to come to Chapman.”