Quentin Tarantino’s Powerful Reminder: Time on Set Defines a Filmmaker
So, here’s something truly inspiring from the Cannes Film Festival this year. Quentin Tarantino—yes, the man behind Pulp Fiction , Django Unchained , and The Hateful Eight —took the stage in the Cannes Classics section, and gave one of those rare, passionate speeches that feels like a masterclass in filmmaking and a life lesson all rolled into one.
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He was there to present two lesser-known but beloved Westerns by George Sherman: Red Canyon and Comanche Territory . These are films he’s long admired, and he took this opportunity to share why Sherman’s work resonated with him so deeply. What stood out wasn’t just his enthusiasm for Sherman’s direction or storytelling, but his pointed reflection on how valuable time is on a film set.
Tarantino didn’t hold back. He praised Sherman not just for the quality of his films, but for how efficiently he worked. “They didn’t know how quick he was able to run his sets,” he said, recalling how the studio had underestimated Sherman’s speed. But speed alone wasn’t the point—Tarantino emphasized that the real magic was in how good Sherman’s footage was despite those constraints. The work was sharp, actors loved him, and the storytelling never faltered.
Then, turning his focus directly to the young filmmakers in the room, Tarantino dropped a truth bomb. “He didn’t have any more time than any of those other directors. But it’s what he did with that time that made it matter.” That’s the core message here. He urged up-and-coming creatives to understand this truth: no matter how big or small the budget, no matter how long or short the shooting schedule, how you use your time on set will define you as a director.
And let’s be honest, coming from someone like Tarantino—a filmmaker who has carved out his own place in cinematic history through bold, time-conscious choices—this hits different. It's not just about working fast; it's about working smart, with intent, and not wasting a single moment.
So whether you're filming your first indie short or working on a studio feature, Tarantino’s advice is gold: the clock is always ticking, and what you do with every minute matters more than you realize.
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