I believe you are referring to Alfred Hitchcock's interview. A college student asked him why staircases are such a common motif in his film's and why he uses them.
He states, "I think staircases are meant to go up and down."
I've mentioned this many times as well. It's hilarious.
Are you commenting on this article or someone else’s comment here? Mine is about THE GODFATHER…though it’s possible Coppola was cheekily referencing Hitchcock here. I’m a big believer in the artist as trickster.
Oh no, it was Coppola. I've just seen so many live performances and so many videoed lectures that I can't tell what's what in my memory anymore. I've seen Coppola speak a few times, for example. No idea which of those it might've been. I wish I could point to that event and say, "There!"
I think I’ve said this before but one of the things I love most about art is the meaning ascribed to it in its consumption. I love the way I bring my own ‘baggage’ to every film I watch, every book I read, every song I hear and that this affects my response so that I have my own personal relationship with each piece of art. I’m not sure how much it matters what was originally intended. I also suspect that a lot of creatives like to be somewhat elliptical in this respect. Part of what makes something beautiful is its mystery.
I have always struggled with the metaphorical staircase. As a consumer of "art" I always think I'm too stupid and hopeless to see the staircase as anything other than a staircase.
I find myself envious of that audience member who was able to peer at the screen and think, "damn, if that isn't a thing of beauty. Coppola, you magnificent bastard, you did it again, you slipped in that wonderful metaphor and confirmed your status as king in the pantheon of filmmakers". Meanwhile, I'm the idiot Coppola was worried about...the guy munching popcorn and trying to figure out how Michael got to the second floor. Hahaha.
And honestly, whenever the subject is metaphor and meaning, all I can hear is my 9th Grade teacher jabbering on about Marlow as Buddha and about how great writers can hide these important meanings and messages in their writing. As a "writer" I would love to understand how that trick is done but alas I never seem to make it beyond the, "hmm, should there be a staircase so Michael can get to the second floor?"
But, sincerely, one of the things I have learned from reading your essays is that meaning may not actually start with the artist. And one person's metaphor is another person's standard staircase -- only there to solve a narrative problem.
I'd like to get better at finding the metaphors mind you. I love reading essays from smarter people than me who point out the possible metaphors, but perhaps I don't have to feel so stupid that, more often than not, all I see is the staircase and a guy trying to get to the second floor. Hahaha.
Really appreciate your work Cole. Thanks for sharing.
I suppose it can be both. Countless English teachers would certainly agree with the guy in the crowd. But yes, art is as much what you take from it as what the person behind it intended, or says they intended, like so many song lyrics or George Lucas’s changing/unchanging story plans
I think most non-pretentious filmmakers would agree that sometimes a staircase is just a staircase in their films! Although, interestingly, Hitchcock used a LOT of staircases in his films and they typically meant some kind of danger to protagonists. Did he intend it or not? Well, when it keeps coming up it becomes a director's motif - whether they realize it or not! Not sure if Coppola used the staircase in more of his films though.
I believe you are referring to Alfred Hitchcock's interview. A college student asked him why staircases are such a common motif in his film's and why he uses them.
He states, "I think staircases are meant to go up and down."
I've mentioned this many times as well. It's hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvuK2bg9WGs
Though I should add, I’m out right now but very excited to check this interview out!
Are you commenting on this article or someone else’s comment here? Mine is about THE GODFATHER…though it’s possible Coppola was cheekily referencing Hitchcock here. I’m a big believer in the artist as trickster.
I was commenting on this article. Maybe both people talked about staircases. I don't know. You said you couldn't remember the details.
Oh no, it was Coppola. I've just seen so many live performances and so many videoed lectures that I can't tell what's what in my memory anymore. I've seen Coppola speak a few times, for example. No idea which of those it might've been. I wish I could point to that event and say, "There!"
I think I’ve said this before but one of the things I love most about art is the meaning ascribed to it in its consumption. I love the way I bring my own ‘baggage’ to every film I watch, every book I read, every song I hear and that this affects my response so that I have my own personal relationship with each piece of art. I’m not sure how much it matters what was originally intended. I also suspect that a lot of creatives like to be somewhat elliptical in this respect. Part of what makes something beautiful is its mystery.
Love this anecdote.
I have always struggled with the metaphorical staircase. As a consumer of "art" I always think I'm too stupid and hopeless to see the staircase as anything other than a staircase.
I find myself envious of that audience member who was able to peer at the screen and think, "damn, if that isn't a thing of beauty. Coppola, you magnificent bastard, you did it again, you slipped in that wonderful metaphor and confirmed your status as king in the pantheon of filmmakers". Meanwhile, I'm the idiot Coppola was worried about...the guy munching popcorn and trying to figure out how Michael got to the second floor. Hahaha.
And honestly, whenever the subject is metaphor and meaning, all I can hear is my 9th Grade teacher jabbering on about Marlow as Buddha and about how great writers can hide these important meanings and messages in their writing. As a "writer" I would love to understand how that trick is done but alas I never seem to make it beyond the, "hmm, should there be a staircase so Michael can get to the second floor?"
But, sincerely, one of the things I have learned from reading your essays is that meaning may not actually start with the artist. And one person's metaphor is another person's standard staircase -- only there to solve a narrative problem.
I'd like to get better at finding the metaphors mind you. I love reading essays from smarter people than me who point out the possible metaphors, but perhaps I don't have to feel so stupid that, more often than not, all I see is the staircase and a guy trying to get to the second floor. Hahaha.
Really appreciate your work Cole. Thanks for sharing.
I suppose it can be both. Countless English teachers would certainly agree with the guy in the crowd. But yes, art is as much what you take from it as what the person behind it intended, or says they intended, like so many song lyrics or George Lucas’s changing/unchanging story plans
Reminds me of the famous scene in Raiders where Indy shoots the swordsman. Happy accidents are the best
I think most non-pretentious filmmakers would agree that sometimes a staircase is just a staircase in their films! Although, interestingly, Hitchcock used a LOT of staircases in his films and they typically meant some kind of danger to protagonists. Did he intend it or not? Well, when it keeps coming up it becomes a director's motif - whether they realize it or not! Not sure if Coppola used the staircase in more of his films though.