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Herzog's "Doable" Masterclass in Azores: Filmmakers Embrace Chaos
3 Apr
Summary
- Herzog taught 50 artists to embrace chaos and do the doable.
- Participants paid nearly $10,200 for the 11-day workshop.
- Filmmakers had to shoot, edit, and screen a film in just two days.
Iconic filmmaker Werner Herzog recently hosted an intensive 11-day workshop on São Miguel island in the Azores, attracting 50 artists from around the globe. Participants, who paid approximately $10,200, learned Herzog's core philosophy: focus on "the doable" and manage the inherent chaos of filmmaking.
The workshop demanded rapid creation, with attendees tasked to shoot, edit, and screen a five- to ten-minute film within just two days. This accelerated process, inspired by the island's dramatic landscapes and Herzog's distinctive approach, pushed filmmakers to adapt and be resourceful.
Herzog, known for his maverick style, critiqued over-planning, urging participants to "get the shot" and improvise. His approach, which drew both praise and criticism for its cost, aimed to instill a "rogue" spirit in the next generation of filmmakers.
As the workshop concluded, Herzog encouraged his protégés to "remain rogue" and form "rogue cells everywhere," emphasizing the continuation of his independent filmmaking legacy. The event also coincided with the viral popularity of a "nihilistic penguin" meme from his 2007 documentary.
