History Creator / DamienChazelle

Many of Chazelle's produced films -- namely ''Film/GrandPiano'' (which he didn't direct), ''Film/{{Whiplash}}'', and ''Film/LaLaLand'' -- share a common theme of music, which isn't an accident, given his original focus in studying {{jazz}}. His experiences as a jazz drummer in particular inspired the story of ''Whiplash'', for which he received a nomination for the [[MediaNotes/AcademyAwardForBestAdaptedScreenplay Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]].

Many of Chazelle's produced films -- namely ''Film/GrandPiano'' (which he didn't direct), ''Film/{{Whiplash}}'', and ''Film/LaLaLand'' -- share a common theme of music, which isn't an accident, given his original focus in studying {{jazz}}. His experiences as a jazz drummer in particular inspired the story of ''Whiplash'', for which he received a nomination for the [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAwardForBestAdaptedScreenplay Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]].

At the 89th Academy Awards in 2017, he was honored with the [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAwardForBestDirecting Oscar for Best Director]] for ''La La Land'', which made him, at 32 years of age, the youngest person ever to receive the award.

Many of Chazelle's produced films -- namely ''Film/GrandPiano'', ''Film/{{Whiplash}}'', and ''Film/LaLaLand'' -- share a common theme of music, which isn't an accident, given his original focus in studying {{jazz}}. His experiences as a jazz drummer in particular inspired the story of ''Whiplash'', for which he received a nomination for the [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAwardForBestAdaptedScreenplay Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]].

In addition to his work writing and directing the aforementioned films, Chazelle is a graduate of Harvard University and worked for numerous years as a "writer-for-hire" in Los Angeles after he graduated. Alongside ''Grand Piano'', he also co-wrote ''Film/TheLastExorcism Part II'' and was brought in to rewrite ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane'', the directing gig of which he ultimately turned down to focus on ''Whiplash''. He was additionally roommates in college with composer Justin Hurwitz, who has since [[AssociatedComposer scored each of his films]]; the two were also among the founding members of the {{indie pop}} band Chester French, for which Chazelle played drums and Hurwitz played piano and percussion.

Damien Sayre Chazelle, born on January 19, 1985 in Providence, Rhode Island, is an American film director and screenwriter.

Many of Chazelle's produced films -- namely ''Film/GrandPiano'', ''Film/{{Whiplash}}'', and ''Film/LaLaLand'' -- share a common theme of music, which isn't an accident, given his original focus in studying {{jazz}}. His experiences as a jazz drummer in particular inspired the story of ''Whiplash'', for which he received an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nomination in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.

In addition to his work writing and directing the aforementioned films, he is a graduate of Harvard University and worked for numerous years as a "writer-for-hire" in Los Angeles after he graduated. Alongside the aforementioned ''Grand Piano'', he also co-wrote ''Film/TheLastExorcism Part II'' and was brought in to rewrite ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane'', the directing gig of which he ultimately turned down to focus on ''Whiplash''.

At the 89th Academy Awards in 2017, Chazelle was honored with the Best Director Oscar for ''La La Land'' and, at 32 years of age, is the youngest person ever to receive the award.

* ''Series/TheEddy'' Episodes 1, 'Elliot', and 2, 'Julie' (2020).

In addition to his work writing and directing the aforementioned films, he is a graduate of Harvard University and worked for numerous years as a "writer-for-hire" in Los Angeles after he graduated. Alongside the aforementioned ''Grand Piano'', he also penned ''Film/TheLastExorcism Part II'' and was brought in to rewrite ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane'', the directing gig of which he ultimately turned down to focus on ''Whiplash''.

* GenreRoulette: In his career so far, he's co-written a sequel to a supernatural horror film (''Film/TheLastExorcism Part II''), a thriller set during a piano performance (''Film/GrandPiano'') a bottle movie/thriller/mystery/character drama/post-apocalyptic sci-fi picture (''Film/TenCloverfieldLane''), a thriller/character drama/deconstruction of the "Mentor and Muse" relationship/examination of ambition with elements of autobiography and set in a music conservatory (''Film/{{Whiplash}}''), and a light romantic comedy/stylish homage to Hollywood musicals about two struggling artists in L.A (''Film/LaLaLand'') and a biopic of Neil Armstrong (''Film/FirstMan'').

At the 89th Academy Awards, Chazelle was honored with the Best Director Oscar for ''La La Land'' and, at 32 years of age, is the youngest person ever to receive the award.

* {{Determinator}}: ''Whiplash'' {{deconstruct|ion}}ed this trope, while ''La La Land'' somewhat {{reconstruct|ion}}s it. He doesn't deny the hardships one goes through when trying to achieve your dreams, however. He himself is a big example. [[https://filmschoolrejects.com/6-filmmaking-tips-from-damien-chazelle-6f05f190f427#.rdxxq3yzy He attributes his talent to good old-fashioned hard work and practice in interviews]] and during the production of ''Whiplash'', he had gotten into a rough car accident, [[spoiler: eerily like Andrew does in the film,]] had gone to the hospital and returned to direct only a day later.
* GenreThrowback: ''La La Land'' is this to the old Hollywood musicals of the 50’s, as well as the musicals of Creator/JacquesDemy.
* GenreRoulette: In his career so far, he's co-written a sequel to a supernatural horror film(''Film/TheLastExorcism Part II''), a thriller set during a piano performance (''Film/GrandPiano'') a bottle movie/thriller/mystery/character drama/post-apocalyptic sci-fi picture(''Film/TenCloverfieldLane''), a thriller/character drama/deconstruction of the "Mentor and Muse" relationship/examination of ambition with elements of autobiography and set in a music conservatory(''Film/{{Whiplash}}''), and a light romantic comedy/stylish homage to Hollywood musicals about two struggling artists in L.A (''Film/LaLaLand'') and a biopic of Neil Armstrong (''Film/FirstMan'').