"You're already in the top 10% cause you've already written it." - best advice ever

Wow. "It's more important to find what story to tell than to actually learn how to shoot them" -best thing ever

You killed the Star Trek franchise and the Star Wars franchise. Way to go!!!! 👍

Jar Jar Abrams

Once you notice his nose you can't look away.

This man got me and my friends into movie making when we accidentally walked onto the set of Star Trek years ago. He came up to us and met us and inspired a couple of 10 year olds to pursue something they’d never thought of before. Great guy.

Thank you J.J. Abrams for making the best Star Wars movie in 30 years. I'm looking forward to the next one.

5:48 - 6:36 Mr. Abrams. My dad offered me an advice that I treasure to this day. Creativity comes from imitation. Not copy someone else's work entirely, I study it and add my ideas.

The face of a man, a man that has no problem destroying childhoods.

For me, I've always wanted to be a director, but my mindset was always, "there are thousands of kids who are just like you who could probably do a way better job, and have more resources to do it so what's the point." But I want to go to film school still! And I'm starting to write a script for a short film that I want to put on KZfaq, so to hear J.J Abrams, who is one of my favorite directors, say that that is the best first step you can take, makes me feel so much more confident.

All of you who are criticizing JJ Abrams need to grow up. He didn't "ruin" Star Trek, he made it his own and I find that amazing! Just because YOU don't like it, doesn't mean its bad, it just means it's not your kind of film. I look up to JJ Abrams and he is the reason I want to become a film writer and director (Im a high school student. Im the only one in my class who has that dream). If he was a bad director, he wouldn't be where he is today. Plus Star Wars hasn't even come out yet. The trailers haven't even been released and so many of you are already insulting him for it? Does that really seem right? What would you do if everyone criticized your work before you could show your skill? Anyway, what I wanted to comment before I read the negativity.... Great advice. Go out and make a film... Theres what I plan on doing. Its like he said. So many people talk about their dreams but never act on them. The moment I realize my dream I started watching all the behind the scenes videos of my favorite movies, researching how to write screenplays, etc. I want to be like JJ Abrams someday. :)

J.J. Abrams is right. Don't just talk about writing a screenplay actually write it.

This comment section: 95% comments about his nose 4% comments about his filmmaking abilities 1% comments by actual amateur filmmakers

thanks jj, force awakens was amazing. hope the next director is as good... back to the tension and apprehension i guess.

Well time to write a screenplay!

The dramatic-arc that results in a series-finale has been mastered by the old school masters of storytelling. Most of the problems of this dilemma comes from the pre-emptive closing of a series before it's been resolved (Lost), or if the concept warrants it, (Seinfeld), or the prolonging of a series that's lost its steam but still looks to take advantage of its following (Dexter). Take into account Dickens or Tolstoy who produced serialized-novels that were broken up into magazine short-stories. Each magazine-article satisfied the subscriber, all the while the completed-novels were considered masterworks. No excuse for protracted-structures...

"You're already in the top 10 percent because you have actually written it." Nice.

All style, sod all substance

JJ rambles on indicating just how much in person as on screen how little he knows about what he is doing, and how bad his movies really are. The guy should be selling real estate, not movies.

In 1998 on a Thursday, I and an actor friend of mine walked onto the Amblin' Entertainment lot to go meet Bruce Cohen working on the Flintstones, and in our walk we met many (later to be) well known people, one of them was JJ Abrams who was in the editing room, we then met on the weekend for am late dinner at Spielberg's home on Amalfi drive and he was there again, shy and unassuming - it was a great evening; it wasn't until Cloverfield that I realised it was the same youngster I'd met.

Just noticed recently he co-wrote Taking Care of Business at 24. I love that 80s movie!!!

I am in the process of getting an hvx200. J.J. is an inspiration to me. I cant wait to finally put my scripts to screen. Thank You J.J.

Some of the most valuable advice I have ever received on making films. Wow, mind is blown.

I' a question: J.J, ever thought about making a film with an actual decent original plot?

I couldn't do a better lizard imitation if I wanted to but JJ makes it look so easy, at 2:57!

Bless J.J. Abrams. Carrying on Spielberg's legacy and improving on it. That makes me very happy.

Thank you JJ Abrams.

How does it feel ruining the two most beloved science fiction movie trilogies of all time ?

Please, tell us more about deep, character driven stories like Mission Impossible III or Armageddon, two of your greatest filims.

You obviously have no idea how long it takes to do computer graphics and sound and editing or post production in general.

already in the top ten..... keep it up guys want to see your guys movie... we all are here to create and learn.

One of the reasons that I was so excited about JJ Coming back for episode IX was the fact that he's one of the only directors to be a star wars fan just like us. He grew up watching the movies, and studying the structure of every scene. The biggest complaint that I've heard about TFA was that it resembled episode IV too much. And in a lot of ways it did. However, I feel like JJ opted for it to be both an homage to the original trilogy that he grew up loving so much, and for it to be his own universe. Not to mention he masterfully used all $300 million of the budget for TFA. For episode IX after The Last Jedi, I really feel like JJ is going to knock us out of the park. We're leaving the age of comic book movies, and entering the age of star wars movies!!!!!!!

I can´t help it. JJ Abrams always reminds me of the director - or rather: the caricature of an director - from "Mulholland Drive"

Those last couple of seconds had the best advice. Don't talk about being a filmmaker, actually do it!

"No one who knows exactly how the end of a series is gonna play when they make the pilot." The ending to Lost explained in one sentence.

Thankyou j.j Abrams for fringe !!!!

Let me save you ten minutes. The answer is lens flares and rip off better filmmakers.

JJ Abrams use of lens flare is a style.

Best thing of value he said was right at the end. Like 99% of filmschool is kids talking about how they want to make movies, then the only work they do is the class work. Go make a freaking movie, don't wait for someone to tell you what to do. If you're not producing and constantly learning by doing, you're not going anywhere. You will only be destined for starbucks.

best take away. get actual shit done.

"Yeah you just write a bunch of crap that asks a lot of unanswered questions and you leave it at that. Oh it also helps when you work on an established franchise and rehash the same formula that made it good to begin with."

One of the greatest directors of our time.

the mistery box is... why is he a guru?

his father advice is really helpful d

Trek one was a friggin great ride.

A great Director, very inspiring!

i like JJ style

Next you should interview the guy who built the titanic on ship building

I'm sorry but the quality of this video is absolutely incredible, does anyone know what camera they used for this?

I like the guy. He's very honest and takes critique seriously.

that finally bit really hit home

This guy killed so many movies. He is the only person in the film business who I really hate. Mostly because I saw the new star wars trailer and he is going to kill my most favorite film with his always shaking camera. GRRRRRRRRR

I don't really understand why everyone is saying that J. J Abrams will ruin Star Wars. Um what the hell could the possibly do that could be worse than The Phantom Menace. I seriously feel that all that they could possibly done that would have been stupid was I. That movie. I think J. J Abrams is a good director. I mean there are some parts of his movies I think could have been done better but for the most part I think he's fine.

That is up to you to find out.

People give him a lot of flack, and though I agree with some of the criticism, I do believe he's an amazing director for the kind of movies he enjoys. You can just sense the excitement and the understanding of what makes sci-fi like Star Wars the way it is when you watch his films.

"Make Your Own Movie!" Reminds me of kids before 2000 who would "Make their own Plays" using their imaginations, so, in a way, without the new high tech affordable equipment available today, kids did make their own movies in their own neighborhoods and schools live on stage. People can check out the old classics on TMC and AMC as they use to make lots of movies with kids - for example, the old classic TV series, The Little Rascals, the kids in some of the series made up their own plays and costumes....movies and plays - one is live, the other on film, but each tells a story.

I found it something of a struggle to wade through a recent magazine feature on J.J. Abrams. Everyone obviously loves him, and I’ve no doubt he is delightful, but I can’t summon up much enthusiasm for grab-a-billion movie franchises whose primary function is to hoover up cash. The new Star Trek trailer looks especially grim. How many times have we seen all of that flash-bang-wallop before? Granted, it’s packaged a little differently, it moves a little quicker, but really…

what kind shows or movie do you like because lost was both critically acclaimed and popular success and was consistently ranked by critics on their lists of top ten series of all time. while alias was an action-packed weekly adventure that outclassed just about every other show in the genre and was alsso ranked on the list of the greatest show list of all time.

Not everyone can be satisfied with a movie you know. We all have different tastes.

I dont consider him to be a great director I think he still has a long way to go yet before can start putting him in that box. To be honest I find JJ. Abrams a really good director when hes left to do his OWN idea, whether that be for a movie or tv series. Look at Super 8 a really good movie, with nice nostalgia and just a perfect tribute to Speilberg especially, it was also a nice kind of introduction of Abrams into Hollywood. Where I think Abrams goes wrong is when he is given these great franchises, he just messes arnd with them too much. Abrams seriously knows how to play toward the mainstream audience of today that is, M.I.3 and Star Trek(reboot) are pure examples, in these movies Abrams has managed to simplify and over-stylize classic franchise series. He has made them into basically fun, "pop corn movies". But I fear the way he has made these movies, they will end up as more forgettable in the future, instead of relevant. I think a great director should always strive to make a "Film", NOT a movie. And to make that film not necessarily with one particular audience/demographic in mind, but to purely focus on that story (especially if it is really good original material) only and to just have the guts to go with it. Ridley Scott and Speilberg have always done this, even before them, Kubrick, all the way bk to Hitchcock. These directors have made films not aimed at any particular audience, but just with a vision and put it out there. Abrams trouble is hes too god-damn conscious of what "he thinks" the audience will want to see and appreciate and I just think this is how he ruins franchises. Abrams should be more like Nolan and other directors of today, not as in copy their directing style, ofcourse he has his own, but I mean more that Abrams should actually try thinking up his OWN stories/ideas for a film. If he could start to do this I would respect him alot more as a director.

Jar Jar Abrams should be arrested for malpractice on Star Wars and the rebooted Star Trek.

Bad Reboot... Empty Mystery boxes != story telling.

JJ Abrams rocks!

Nice video! Thanks for making it. :)

He is going to do awesome things with Star Wars Episode VII. 2015 can't come any sooner.

For a college grad, he seems to miss the idea of a central thesis existing in most of his art, instead opting for a string of flashy moments and unfinished thoughts. I don't know if he's aware of all the GOOD he could be doing, instead of just flashing lights in front of our eyes and helping further erode quality writing in Hollywood with gimmicks and narrative tricks. This man is no Spielberg, not by a long shot. Only caring about "tracking characters" and allowing yourself to believe in not understanding your core story's ending (even if it is later changed) doesn't lead to a well developed conclusions, and can damage your brand (looking at you LOST and new Trek films). Is it just me, or do his sentences deviate subject and defy ending themselves? Just like his art.. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jdCgZ7R4lsrNcp8.html

And your point is? He might have gotten into the business that way but he is lasting because he has talent, whether you appreciate it or not.

True, I can see how Fringe can be seen to be born from The X-Files but they are very different shows in their over all goals and ideology.

Great advice. He's talented and smart enough to make some extraordinary movies and tv shows in the next few decades.

guys an inspiration

He's the Michael Bay of lens flares. :)

It would be nice if you just ask the questions.

me to ))))) man that noise

Yes, he's not the best filmmaker and yes he hasn't made the best choices. But he is talented and intelligent. I agree with a lot of what he said. On writing the pilot knowing how it's going to end, How I Met Your Mother had that. And many fans feel it was a bad idea to stick to that ending because of how much the characters and their relationships grew and changed.

name you top 5 shows i wanna see what you consider to be good tv or well written showes.

Great advice!

I met him a while ago...very personal and genuine.

This guy might be my favorite filmmaker today. He's not pretentious. He's personable. He has no delusions of grandeur(or does a good job of hiding them). I love this guy. First and foremost though, his films are reliably good. His worst movies are still pretty okay. His best films are amazing. I know I'll have a good time at a JJ Abrams film. He brings a level of humility to the role of writer/director that is seldom found among his peers. It's refreshing.

@jedzejku well you may just have unique tastes. I'm just saying that Abrams is very good with building a narrative, and that's evidenced with the successful reception of most of his films. some may call him "mainstream" where you may be more interested in more indie films.

My Hero and inspiration as a filmmaker! Just wait for my name "Micah Mahaffey" to hopefully be one day Directing a movie produced by J.J Abrams! :)

I have to admit to not being a particular Abrams fan. He knows how to make movies that make money, though. HOWEVER: I think that he'll do a good job with the new star wars. Everything I've heard on the topic has been generally positive. And there's no way that he can do any worse than the Lucas prequels. We'll just have to see, I guess.

Q: Describe your directional style... A: I don't care much for the story, or the characters, or trying to explore a complicated idea or issue. I only care about a movie being a spectacle. In fact, I should have been hired by amusement parks to direct their live performances that feature pyrotechnics. But, I make movies, and destroy classics by eeking out a crummy plot line and rushing to filming so I can make things blow up on my computer. Then I go out and find another good idea to destroy. It's easy!

Nice lighting change lol

I don't see why everyone in these comments thinks he's the best director. As much as I like J.J abrams, Steven Spielberg will always be the best.

best director

crazy dragon man view

Most overrated filmmaker in the modern era.

All of the people talking smack on J.J. Abrams are forgetting one crucial thing: though he may not be the biggest of all directors and yes even though he abuses his acclaimed anamorphic lenses, this guy has done wonders and is extremely successful as a director and writer and producer, and that is why Disney has chosen him to direct Star Wars VII. I can't wait to see what he's gonna do with the franchise 2015 come sooner.

Great video...lots of advice for directing and writing. Thanks!

He is talented AND overrated. But what's cool about the new SW trilogy is that he's only doing the first one, so it's clear that the new SW sandbox is open for play, and I think that's an encouraging sign by Lucasfilm/Disney. Has JJ merited this? Star Trek was slick enough to show the studios he could handle big sci-fi fx event films, Lost was genius, character-driven supernatural story (though he wasn't involved much for the bulk of the series, he's still a co-creator), and Super 8 was fantastic. That movie about a young group of misfits that band together in a common cause and stumble upon something bigger than they could imagine had charming and authentic performances from all its young actors, had a real sense of place, humor and heart, just like...A New Hope! So I say yeah, he deserves it. May the Force be with You, JJ!!!!

Very interesting advice to new filmmakers..

Idk what you guys are complaining about.. I loved the first ever star wars so I'm glad he decided to remake the entire film! Thanks JJ!! Can't wait to see The First Order Strikes Back! :D

The person who will become successful in filmaking is the person who dosnt post things on facebook, dosnt look at others works but their own ( modernly speaking) dosnt match their work with others. but instead, insist their work is as great as they wanted it to be.

The guy who makes my kind of films. Need to watch Super 8.

Appreciated points from a dedicated man. Admiring and never admonishing. So glad your best advice came from someone so familial. Blaring!

I love it when rich, connected people's kids dole out advice like, "Just get off your butt and go do it!" Sounds good, feels good, but in reality he himself did nothing of the sort. At 16, he wanted a job in Hollywood and his daddy hooked him up on a composing gig that everybody else has to be stupid talented, work years, and kiss 1,000 asses to get. Instantly his resume now had Hollywood credits on it plus he's Gerald Abrams' son. But as for the rest of you, "Just go out and Make it Happen!!"

This just reaffirms that JJ Abrams needs to direct Animorphs the movie.

the man created lost, felcity.alias and super 8 i think he knows what he is talking about. and is hard to remake something classic and make it good just look at the a team.

Thank you J.J. You are my inspiration. I have been having Panic Attacks, of fear of passion,you help me.

Thank you very much for sharing Mr Abram's thoughts with us. Science Fiction is a fantastic genre, and he does such a good job bringing it to almost real-life. Finding a friend with a Canon 5Dis not always easily achievable, but I do have a somewhat cheaper Panasonic camcorder. I'm wondering if for amateurs the camera is as important as with what is done with it and how.