Tom Cruise Advises Next Generation to Learn What Isn’t Taught in Film School: “Understand the Lens and What It Can Do”

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Tom Cruise has some key advice for the next wave of actors.

Without formal training from film school or a technical background, Tom Cruise – a global movie icon – shared with the audience during his acceptance of the British Film Institute Fellowship award on Monday, that he honed his craft by observing and learning from films themselves.

Moreover, Cruise emphasizes that the upcoming creators should concentrate on the intricacies involved in movie-making. “It’s crucial to grasp the equipment at your disposal,” he stated. “There’s technology,” he added. “This is akin to an actor learning about the stage, but for many artists, this knowledge isn’t typically taught in film school: learning how to comprehend the camera lens and its capabilities, as well as why there is eye movement and recognizing the impact it creates.

The leading actor of Top Gun added, “I often advise actors to invest time in the editing room, create their own films, analyze classic movies, discern the impact of composition, grasp different camera lenses, master the use of lighting, and deeply understand the art form. Brando was exceptional at using lighting – as were all the greats.

For Tom Cruise, it’s crucial to grasp the tools (cameras), storytelling techniques, and expressing emotions effectively. He mentioned that he learned from one of his peers, Jack Nicholson, as well as others from his generation, stating they all have a deep understanding of the camera lens.

During his work on the movie “Top Gun” in the 1980s, Cruise sought a larger role behind the camera. He managed to secure an agreement that granted him access to all production meetings and a view of every aspect happening backstage. This is when he began to exert more creative control over the project.

Currently, Tom Cruise is marketing the upcoming movie “Mission: Impossible – Mission Not Impossible“, which happens to be the last installment of the action series. Notably, he’s not just an actor but also a producer for this film.

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2025-05-14 02:54