The Film That Lit My Fuse is a Deadline video series that aims to provide an antidote to headlines about industry uncertainty by swinging the conversation back to the creative ambitions, formative influences and inspirations of some of today’s great screen artists.
Every installment asks the same five questions. Today’s subject is James L. Brooks, the iconic writer, director and producer. As director, his films include Broadcast News, Terms of Endearment and As Good As It Gets. As writer and producer, the credits range from The Simpsons to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Lou Grant, Jerry Maguire, Say Anything, The War of the Roses and many others. After teaming with Kelly Fremon Craig as mentor and producer for her film Edge of Seventeen, Brooks helped guide the writer/director as Brooks produced the adaptation of the classic Judy Blume coming of age book Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, which Lionsgate opened last week. Here, Brooks explains the formative influences that helped shape his artistic sensibilities.,
