History Creator / DamienChazelle

* ProductionPosse: All of his films have been scored by Justin Hurwitz, Tom Cross has edited all his films starting with ''Whiplash'' and Linus Sandgren and Mary Zophres were cinematographer and costume designer, respectively, for both ''La La Land'' and ''First Man''. On the acting side, he has worked with Creator/RyanGosling and Creator/JKSimmons twice each, and is set to work a second time with Creator/EmmaStone.

Damien Sayre Chazelle (born January 19, 1985) is an American film director and screenwriter.

* BittersweetEnding: Is a very big fan of these. ''Whiplash'' [[spoiler: has Andrew perform a very complicated and impressive drum solo, but it's left ambiguous whether or not this has made his personal and professional lives suffer as a result.]] In ''La La Land'', [[spoiler:Mia and Sebastian end up fulfilling their dreams, but end their relationship with each other as a result.]] In ''10 Cloverfield Lane'', [[spoiler:Michelle realizes the world has been overrun by oppressive aliens, but hears a radio signal based in Huston and starts heading towards there, with he hope that there's other life available.]]

In addition to his work writing and directed 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''.

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 directed the aforementioned films, he also is a graduate of Harvard University, penned ''Film/TheLastExorcism Part II'' and ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane'', the latter of which he was tapped to direct but ultimately chose to focus on ''La La Land'' instead.

* BittersweetEnding: Is a very big fan of these. ''Whiplash'' [[spoiler: has Andrew perform a very complicated and impressive drum solo, but it's left ambiguous whether or not this has made his personal and professional lives suffer as a result.]] In ''La La Land'', [[spoiler:Mia and Sebastian end up fulfilling their dreams, but end their relationship with each other as a result.]] In ''10 Colverfield Lane'', [[spoiler:Michelle realizes the world has been overrun by oppressive aliens, but hears a radio signal based in Huston and starts heading towards there, with he hope that there's other life available.]]

* 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 is set up to direct a biopic on the life of Creator/NeilArmstrong.

* GenreThrowback: ''La La Land'' is this to the old Hollywood musicals of the 50’s, as well as the musicals of Jacques Demy.

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. The film itself was also recognized with a nomination in Best Picture, while Creator/JKSimmons won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Terence Fletcher. ''La La Land'' has broken the record for the most Golden Globes a film can get, with Chazelle getting Best Director and Best Screenplay nods. He's also up for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, while the film itself is up for Best Picture.

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

!!! '''Tropes Present in Damian Chazelle's work include:'''
* AuthorAppeal: His directorial efforts have primarily focused on the struggles artists (primarily musicians) tend to go through.

* BittersweetEnding: Is a very big fan of these. ''Whiplash'' [[spoiler: has Andrew perform a very complicated and impressive drum solo, but it's left ambiguous whether or not this has made his personal and professional lives suffer as a result.]] In ''La La Land,''[[spoiler: Mia and Sebastian end up fulfilling their dreams, but end their relationship with each other as a result.]] In ''10 Colverfield Lane,''[[spoiler: Michelle realizes the world has been overrun by oppressive aliens, but hears a radio signal based in Huston and starts heading towards there, with he hope that there's other life available.]]

* TheDeterminator: ''Whiplash'' [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructed]] this trope, while ''La La Land'' somewhat [[{{Reconstruction}} reconstructs]] 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.

* GenreRoulette / GenreBusting: 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 is set up to direct a biopic on the life of Creator/NeilArmstrong.
* LighterAndSofter: While sharing similar themes, ''La La Land'' is '''MUCH''' lighter than ''Whiplash.''

* WriteWhatYouKnow: His experiences as a jazz musician, filmmaker and an overall artist, as well as what it means to strive for greatness and to balance art and life, have informed the themes and situations in his movies.

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. The film itself was also recognized with a nomination in Best Picture, while Creator/JKSimmons won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Terence Fletcher. ''La La Land'' has broken the record for the most UsefulNotes/GoldenGlobes a film can get, with Chazelle getting Best Director and Best Screenplay nods. He's also up for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, while the film itself is up for Best Picture.

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. The film itself was also recognized with a nomination in Best Picture, while Creator/JKSimmons won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Terence Fletcher.

* BittersweetEnding: Is a very big fan of these. [[spoiler: ''Whiplash'' has Andrew perform a very complicated and impressive drum solo, but it's left ambiguous whether or not this has made his personal and professional lives suffer as a result.]] [[spoiler: In ''La La Land,'' Mia and Sebastian end up fulfilling their dreams, but end their relationship with each other as a result.]] [[spoiler: In ''Ten Cloverfield Lane,'' Michelle realizes the world has been overrun by oppressive aliens, but hears a radio signal based in Huston and starts heading towards there, with he hope that there's other life available.]]

* GenreRoulette / GenreBusting: 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 is set up to direct a biopic on the life of Creator/NeilArmstrong.

'''Damien Sayre Chazelle''' (born January 19, 1985) is an American film director and screenwriter.

* TheDeterminator: ''Whiplash'' [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructed]] this trope, while ''La La Land'' somewhat [[{{Reconstruction}} reconstructs]] it, while not denying the hardships one goes through when trying to achieve your dreams.

* BittersweetEnding: Is a very big fan of these. [[spoiler: ''Whiplash'' has Andrew perform a very complicated and impressive drum solo, but it's left ambiguous whether or not this has made his personal and professional lives suffer as a result. In ''La La Land,'' Mia and Sebastian end up fulfilling their dreams, but end their relationship with each other as a result. In ''Ten Cloverfield Lane,'' Michelle realizes the world has been overrun by oppressive aliens, but hears a radio signal based in Huston and starts heading towards there, with he hope that there's other life available.]]

In addition to his work writing and directed the aforementioned films, he also penned ''Film/TheLastExorcism Part II'' and ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane'', the latter of which he was tapped to direct but ultimately chose to focus on ''La La Land'' instead.

** He also '''really''' likes jazz music - had he not gone into filmmaking, he’d have been a jazz musician.

* LighterAndSofter: While sharing similar themes, ''La La Land'' is '''MUCH''' lighter than ''Whiplash.''

* GenreRoulette / GenreBusting: 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'').

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

** He himself is a big example. [[https://filmschoolrejects.com/6-filmmaking-tips-from-damien-chazelle-6f05f190f427#.rdxxq3yzy He himself adheres to 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.

* AuthorAppeal: His directorial efforts have primarily focused on the struggles artists (primarily musicians) tend to go through. He also '''really''' likes jazz music - had he not gone into filmmaking, he’d have been a jazz musician.

* AuthorAppeal: His directorial efforts have primarily focused on the struggles artists (primarily musicians) tend to go through.
** He also '''really''' likes jazz music - had he not gone into filmmaking, he’d have been a jazz musician.

!!! Tropes Present in Damian Chazelle's work include:

** He also ''really'' likes jazz music - had he not gone into filmmaking, he’d have been a jazz musician.

* LighterAndSofter: While sharing similar themes, ''La La Land'' is MUCH lighter than ''Whiplash.''

** He also ‘’really’’ likes jazz music - had he not gone into filmmaking, he’d have been a jazz musician.

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}} music. 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. The film itself was also recognized with a nomination in Best Picture, while Creator/JKSimmons won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Terence Fletcher.