- [Narrator] We'll be examining "Selma," "When They See Us,"
"I Will Follow," and "A Wrinkle in Time"
to identify the seven directing trademarks
that made Ava DuVernay famous.
Which Ava DuVernay project is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments.
Ava DuVernay is known for featuring
young protagonists of color
and bringing light to untold minority stories.
- 'Cause I didn't write it! So I don't know what it says!
- Did you skip school?
- [Narrator] This consistent inclusion and representation
has inspired the DuVernay test.
Five core questions have been developed
to help further assess this.
One, are any characters whitewashed
or played by actors of a different ethnicity?
Two, do the characters of color pursue their own goals
separate from the white characters?
Three, do the characters of color primarily talk about race?
Four, do the characters of color
fulfill harmful, downright racist stereotypes?
Five, is the director, writer, and/or creator
representative of the story's culture?
Ava gives a real voice to underrepresented groups
and people in her work,
not only tackling the difficult topics
on which they have unique perspectives
but also crafting full and dynamic lives for them.
When illuminating actors with darker skin tones,
other directors stick to bright lights and pale pallets.
Ava DuVernay, however, is a master of low light.
Instead of just blasting actors with bright white light,
the director works with her cinematographers
to manipulate multiple softer sources
in a creative and artistic manner.
Whether she's lighting background separately,
playing with silhouettes and colors,
or selectively illuminating facial features,
Ava DuVernay has mastered filming actors in minimal light
without sacrificing visual information.
Her lighting choices are symbolic and meaningful,
not just a result of practicality.
It's no secret that many DuVernay projects
literally deal with incarceration.
"When They See Us" and "13th"
are incredibly eye-opening examinations
of the U.S. criminal justice system.
- [Lawyer] If we all plead guilty now, you will do time,
but it is a fraction of the time you will do
if we see this thing through to the end
and it doesn't go our way.
- Martin Luther King Jr. and other peaceful protesters
spent time in jail during "Selma."
Even "A Wrinkle in Time" shows a character in captivity.
However, it also explores imprisonment metaphorically
through creative control of darkness.
Emotional imprisonment is an equally strong,
recurring theme in DuVernay's work.
Her characters are frequently stuck or trapped
either by external circumstances or their own choices.
Imprisonment is a thematic element
that lends itself to high stakes,
emotional and physical situations.
It's the perfect, relatable basis
for the stories Ava DuVernay so brilliantly tells.
While DuVernay of course utilizes
a great deal of music in her work,
she often omits scoring in key scenes.
Many of DuVernay's projects, including "Selma"
and "I Will Follow," even begin with scenes
that do not feature underlying music.
- For the 20 million Negro men and women
motivated by dignity and a disdain for hopelessness ...
This isn't right.
Corrie?
This ain't right.
- [Narrator] While music is a useful tool
in manipulating audience emotion,
DuVernay proves that a powerful scene
with well-written dialogue, engaging direction,
and incredible acting requires no score.
By omitting music, DuVernay creates honest,
hard-hitting moments with her main characters
that feel completely organic and realistic.
- I don't know why, but it's amazing.
- [Narrator] When it comes to framing,
Ava DuVernay is especially drawn
to powerful closeups of the characters' faces.
By casting emotionally expressive actors
with the ability to physically manipulate
tiny facial details, deep thoughts, reactions, and feelings
can be conveyed in these close shots of faces.
The framing choices tell an even deeper story.
A character on the far side of a DuVernay frame
is often feeling excluded or trapped,
while a centered subject
is frequently more grounded or accepting,
and unsure characters tend to shift around in frame.
This symbolism adds even more meaning
to Ava's closeup shots.
Loss of a parental figure, complex family dynamics,
and familial love are very clear recurring themes
in Ava DuVernay's body of work.
Whether it's a daughter trying to save her father,
a mother trying to save her son,
or cousins trying to save their relationship,
DuVernay highlights the strength and importance
of familial bonds in all of her work.
- You cry. I cry.
You mad, I'm mad.
You scared, I'm scared.
- [Narrator] As a director with a strong affinity
for historical work and documentaries,
it's no surprise that Ava DuVernay's films
often strive to educate the audience.
Whether she's highlighting undervalued moments in history,
explaining how wrongly accused young men
are absolved of their crimes,
or simply discussing black icons,
DuVernay has a way of seamlessly inserting teaching moments,
often about prejudice, injustice, and self-worth.
- They say to us ...
that it is unacceptable
for more than 50% of Selma to be Negro,
and yet less than 2% of Negros here
being able to vote and determine their own destiny
as human beings!
(crowd applauding)
- [Narrator] Beyond this, her visionary skills
and innovative style inspires artists
and directors to be better.
(gentle guitar music)