Alex has been directing second unit for Nancy Meyer and is currently boarding for “Despicable Me 3”
On “The Intern,” set with Nancy Meyer, Alex Hillkurtz shooting
Second unit in which he storyboarded the entire film in LA and then to went to NY to shoot Second Unit Directing.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Browsing in a really great bookstore, with the smell of coffee coming from the adjacent café, and hours to go before closing time.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is saying what my greatest fear is, so I’m not going to. Sorry to be contrarian right up front, but I believe words have power and I’m not putting that out there for the universe to interpret.
Who are your favorite artists?
Rembrandt tops my list, while others were painting standard portraits of the rich and influential, he captured people’s souls. He was miles ahead of his time in style and technique. He also wasn’t afraid to show his progression through various versions of a sketch; they’re like Dylan bootlegs. I also love Corot with his romantic landscapes. No one paints trees like Corot, and there’s always that mysterious woman in red at the heart of all his paintings. I love Whistler’s evocative images of London and Venice. I love illustrators N. C. Wyeth and Howard Pyle for the sheer power of their storytelling. I could go on and on…
How did you become a storyboard artist?
I went to film school and was shocked, SHOCKED upon graduation when no one hired me as a director. After a year and a half of PA work, I met storyboard artist David Lowery, and immediately recognized the coolness of his job. I grew up copying Joe Johnston’s illustrations from “The Art of Star Wars”, so I always knew what storyboards were, but until that moment, it never occurred to me that it was a job that you could make a living at. I put together a portfolio of fake scenes that I made up, and told people that’s what I did now. After a while, and many persistent phone calls, I got hired at a visual effects company doing all their illustrations and boards. It was a pretty great training ground, but quickly became limiting. From there I got an agent and went freelance – many commercials, low budget features, that sort of thing. I gradually outgrew the agent and began working on larger budget films.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Having selfish disregard for others, lack of empathy, lack of imagination, and people who have no vision.
Who do you admire the most?
Wow, there are many I admire, but consistently I come back to Peter Matthiessen. He lived a full life and wrote so clearly and eloquently about the places and events he experienced.
Alex also shot as Second Unit Director for Nancy’s last film, “It’s Complicated.”
How do you spend your time when you are not working?
I love backpacking, and urban sketching. Also astronomy. And reading. And buying books I may not get around to reading.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’m not sure. I’ve never been good at making five-year plans. But I’m looking forward to meeting who I become.
What is your favorite genre?
Probably noir. I do love sci-fi, but that’s not really a genre.
What is your greatest regret?
My greatest regret is not spending a semester of high school in Australia when I had the chance. I stayed home because I had a girlfriend. I should’ve taken that trip! It might’ve lead to a bigger life. But then, that one Trip Not Taken has taken on mythical proportions with me. It’s become my own personal Four Feathers, and has spurred me to go on many adventures that I otherwise might not have done.
Who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife.
Alex with Tiffany Hillkurtz in London.
What is your current state of mind?
I’m conflicted. Don’t mind saying. In the best of times this means I contain multitudes. Most of the time it means I’m torn.
Alex taking a break in the snow at a dog sled race in Iditarod, Alaska, 2014.
Which talent would you like to have?
I would love to be able to speak any language fluently.
Alex living the dream in Marin on a friend’s refurbished BMW riding free with wind blowing his hair.
If you could go back into time, what would you do differently?
I probably wouldn’t buy that shirt that’s sitting in my closet still unworn. Actually no, I’d still buy the shirt, you never know. What I would do differently is I’d speak up more. Too much has passed me by because I was silent.
If you could change one thing about your art style, what would it be?
I’d love to be more spontaneous in my art. People always say my work is so clean, and I agree, it is. I think ultimately storyboards need to be clear and readable. I’ve seen gorgeous drawings that are actually very hard to read. So clean is good, I’ll take clean. But I would love to have a more spontaneous feel to what I do.
What programs do you use?
I’ve been using Corel Painter as my primary drawing tool for over a decade now.
Alex in Dordogne, France
What programs do you want to learn?
Maybe SketchUp, and there’s always more to learn with Photoshop. But I don’t know. I’m reluctant to get sucked in to having too many tools. When I take pictures I like a 50mm lens. When I sketch I have a small watercolor set, one pen, and two brushes. I’ll never be that guy who seamlessly switches between 15 different programs with custom settings and a million plug-ins. I’m not a Luddite, but I like what I like, and there’s something to be said for being good at using what I have.
If you could switch careers what would you do?
I always wanted to be a paleontologist and dig up dinosaur bones in Mongolia.
What are your most treasured possessions?
I’d say my two cats, though I don’t think I possess them. So probably one of my beat up and well loved leather bags. They’re perfect for carrying my sketching gear.
Dashi the cat, sitting comfy in shredded script.
What do you regard as the lowest depths of misery?
Not being seen.
Describe your character?
I’m kind, little too introverted and quiet. You’d probably think I was boring at a party, but get me one on one and we could have amazing conversations.
Which Director would you pick to do a movie about your life?
If it was during the 1970s maybe Coppola; 80s probably Oliver Stone; 90s maybe Michael Mann; the aughts Danny Boyle or Soderbergh. Whoever’s at the top of their game? Who’s that now? Iñárritu or Cuarón probably. That would be amazing!
If you were to direct a movie, what would be your genre?
I suppose it would be an adventure road picture/drama with a splash of comedy and a rich heart of spiritual transcendence, with an undertone of biting satirical comment on the dehumanizing nature of our materialistic culture. Is that a genre?
What is the quality you most like about an artist?
Having the courage to be bold, or imaginative, or expressive. But I don’t only associate courage with strength. It takes courage to be compassionate. It takes courage to be vulnerable.
What do you most value in your friends?
The ability to listen.
What do you think of your critics?
I think they may have a point.
Who are your favorite heroes?
Bernard Moitessier and Antione de Saint-Exupéry. They went there and sometimes didn’t come back. I also draw inspiration from Peter Freuchen, Farley Mowat, Herman Hesse, Seamus Heaney, Lance Mackey… I’ve got a whole personal pantheon.
What do you think of this life?
It’ll do. It’s the best one we’ve got.
What do you most dislike in this life?
I absolutely deplore the notion that we are not all connected. Also, creation myths taken literally – that brand of dogma has lead to most of the destruction in this world.
How would you like to die?
I always thought Tibetan sky burial was a cool idea, though that’s more something to do after you’re dead. As far as how I’d actually like to go? Don’t know; whatever I’d be doing I’d love to be able to see the stars at night.
What would you like to come back as, if you were to be reincarnated?
I would be a white-collared swift. Have you seen those things fly? Holy shit it’s spectacular! It would be that or a raven.
What is your Motto?
“Sometimes you want to figure out the gears in the projector, sometimes you just want to enjoy the movie.”
And for the coveted question, what was working with Angelina Jolie like?
Working with Angelina is an absolute pleasure She’s a very intuitive director. Rather than talk about specific shots, she’s much more interested in how a scene or sequence should feel. This leaves me with a lot of freedom while boarding. Things will naturally get more specific as we go along and revise, but it’s always in service of the emotions of the scene. Plus, I love that she makes films that are important to her personally.”
