Jewison on television vs. film
"Film is the literature of this generation," says Toronto-born Norman Jewison. Small wonder then the Oscar-winning director is considered a Laureate of the film lens and is a fierce supporter of the Canadian film industry. Responsible for such classics as In the Heat of the Night and Fiddler on the Roof, Jewison cut his teeth in television at the CBC before moving to Hollywood where he became a maverick director who wowed audiences with his storytelling prowess.
He explains that his experience in live television better prepared him for a career in film than those directors who came from the theatre or who were brought up in the movie industry. "Film is much slower paced than television, therefore, it really doesn't bother me too much." Still, there's no hiding that he's much more at home on a movie set: "It's very satisfying for a director, this medium. It's much more satisfying than the theatre. And it's more satisfying than television."
• Jewison did this interview shortly after completing filming The Cincinnati Kid (1965), a movie set in 1930s New Orleans and starring Steve McQueen, Edward G. Robinson and Ann Margaret. The movie tells the tale of a young poker player who comes into town. He then takes on an old master of the game and challenges his status as the best poker player in the country. Joan Blondell received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Lady Fingers.
• Jewison shot The Cincinnati Kid in colour even though most of the Hollywood dramas of the time were filmed in black and white. "I believe in shooting in colour because life is in colour," Jewison explained in this clip. "I think it is more realistic, and I think the more true we can get back to the colour tones like they do in Europe, the better American pictures will be. I don't know why anybody wants to shoot in black and white."
Program: Assignment
Broadcast Date: Oct. 19, 1965
Guest(s): Norman Jewison
Reporter: Tony Thomas
Duration: 3:51
Last updated: March 23, 2012
Page consulted on December 6, 2013
All Clips from this Topic
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Canadian television director Norman Jewison talks about his early days...
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Jewison explains the differences between working in both media.
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Jewison explains why he hasn't filmed a movie in Canada.
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Now living back in Toronto, Jewison talks about the artistic climate i...
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The Journal follows the career of Norman Jewison.
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Jewison founds the Canadian Centre for Advanced Film Studies.
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In 1989 the director talks with CBC Radio's Geoff Pevere on Prime Time...
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Valerie Pringle takes a look inside the Canadian Centre for Advanced F...
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Adrienne Clarkson looks at Norman Jewison's audition process.
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Jewison discusses his childhood, his start in television and his love ...
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Putting the festive in festival, Norman Jewison's annual barbecue smok...
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Norman Jewison is one of the first 14 inductees to the Canadian Walk o...
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Norman Jewison is honoured with the Irving G. Thalberg Award.
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Jewison discusses the state of the Canadian film industry with Pamela ...
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By tackling important social issues, Jewison becomes a master of the '...
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Norman Jewison talks to reporters about the honour of having a park na...
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"Film is the literature of this generation," says Toronto-born Norman ...