The Arrival: 5 Notable Directorial Debuts

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When you look at the lineage of actors turned directors, you have successes and failures alike. It’s a known risk. But for good reason, Seth Rogen isn’t worried about that. Teaming up with his pal Evan Goldberg, whom he wrote and executive produced Superbad and Pineapple Express with, their first foray behind the lens is primed to be a hit. An apocalyptic comedy featuring an outstanding cast portraying fictional versions of themselves, This Is The End is a fresh take on what has become a cameo-heavy genre. And while the idea spawned from a short they created back in 2007 titled Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse, the current execution reaches new heights owing to the tireless work and time they’ve put in. With This Is The End, Rogen and Goldberg have a chance to begin a directorial journey together, with no limits or boundaries on the laughter and the ridiculousness to come.

The trailer alone for American Animal will leave you intrigued. Its raw, deranged and self-absorbed leading character, Jimmy, dominates the screen with energy and rage. And Jimmy, played by the film’s director, Matt D’Elia, is mesmerizing. D’Elia had no interest in playing the role, but because of the film’s minute budget, his hand was forced to split time both in front of and behind the camera. Filmed in his Los Angles apartment with a budget of roughly $100,000 and released unrated by the MPAA, American Animal is a great example of a young talent taking a risk and doing whatever it takes to make an artsy film with a bold statement. At the age of 27, this Tisch School of the Arts graduate–now director–is on the map. What he chooses to take on next will prove to be an important choice as he tries to forge his career forward as a director.

As an animator, comedian, writer, producer and now director, Seth MacFarlane has been making bold statements with his material and work in a style all his own. And as avid fans of “Family Guy” waited patiently, hoping that they did not see the best of Ted in the trailer, their wish was granted. MacFarlane not only delivered in his debut, but he also set the table as potentially one of the next big names in comedic directing. His depth of talent as a writer, voice actor and director is beyond impressive, and Ted was the perfect project to propel him forward in the world of feature films.

With years spent in TV directing episodes of such shows as “The Wire,” “CSI: NY,” “True Blood” and “Treme,” Anthony Hemingway made his directorial debut with Red Tails in 2012. While the film did not exactly make history at the box office, it was a major step for Hemingway as George Lucas and Lucasfilm produced it. This marks the first Lucasfilm production since 1994, as Hemingway worked with both Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard, after working on The Manchurian Candidate, Changing Lanes and Neil Young: Heart of Gold as an assistant director. Hemingway is a talent that is paying his dues and honing his craft each step up the ladder. He is a perfect example that there are no such things as short cuts, just hard work and taking full advantage of opportunities earned.

At the age of 32 and with an acting resume that includes Inception, The Dark Knight Rises and Looper, it is no surprise that Joseph Gordon-Levitt took on a new challenge as a director with Don Jon. What is a bit surprising–but more impressive–is that he was able to attract Julianne Moore and Scarlett Johansson to star beside him in his directorial debut, one in which he plays a character who is addicted to online porn while trying to find real-life intimacy and true love. With onscreen collaborations with the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis, Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman, along with receiving direction from both Christopher Nolan and Stephen Spielberg, the continuing education Gordon-Levitt is receiving on both sides of the camera is nothing short of thrilling. And one thing he seems to have a good handle on as an artist is being selective with his projects, meaning we may have to wait just a bit for that next right project to appear.

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