American Masters

History Series / 11 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

1h 51m / TV-14

How Tyrus Wong got the job to animate Bambi

1m 18s

When he began working for Disney, Wong's role was minor and technical. Then, when a supervisor noticed his work, he was asked to create the atmosphere for the film "Bambi." Wong would go on to paint hundreds of pastels that would define the impressionistic, colorful forests throughout the film.

How Tyrus Wong influenced the makers of "The Dam Keeper"

9m 53s

In a new, exclusive interview, filmmakers/artists Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi discuss how Wong influenced them and share an excerpt from their Oscar-nominated animated short The Dam Keeper (2014).

See Tyrus Wong's work in classic Warner Bros. movies

1m 8s

After leaving Disney, Tyrus Wong joined Warner Bros. and began painting scenes based on screenplays. He would continue working for Warner Bros. for 26 years, helping set the stage for thousands of films.

Tyrus Wong at the advent of Chinese Modern home decor

1m 23s

Tyrus Wong's skillful, inspired painting made its way into homes across America as Chinese Modern home decor became popular. His ceramics featured flowing designs of figures and tranquil scenes in nature.

Tyrus Wong's atmospheric work gave "Bambi" its unique style

1m 10s

Tyrus Wong spent years honing a soft, atmospheric painting style that relied heavily on lighting and creative use of color. This unique approach gave "Bambi" its groundbreaking impressionistic style.

Watching "Boyhood" Come to Life

2m 38s

Richard Linklater and the cast of "Boyhood" discuss how the film developed over time, year after year. Slacker. Indie filmmaker. Oscar nominee. Writer, director, producer, actor Richard Linklater is all these things and more, a poster boy for the fiercely independent style of filmmaking that emerged out of Austin, Texas in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Bringing a film to life with "Everybody Wants Some"

2m 23s

Visit the set of "Everybody Wants Some" and take a look into the strategy of Richard Linklater's direction. In the six weeks before filming, the entire cast rehearsed together, getting to know their characters and their rapport as a group.

Richard Linklater's Roots with the Austin Film Society

2m 4s

Richard Linklater often worked alone in his early days as a filmmaker, but he was looking for a community. Because of his unstoppable energy, the Austin Film Society was born.

Why Richard Linklater makes films about time

3m 7s

Ellar Coltrane speaks about Richard Linklater's work - his focus on time, reality, and his effort to make films about real people. Slacker. Indie filmmaker. Oscar nominee. Writer, director, producer, actor Richard Linklater is all these things and more, a poster boy for the fiercely independent style of filmmaking that emerged out of Austin, Texas in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Matthew McConaughey on Richard Linklater as a Director

2m 17s

Editor Sandra Adair and actor Matthew McConaughey talk about Richard Linklater's ability to capture authentic moments on the set of Dazed and Confused. Through his unique directorial approach and his ability to collaborate with the cast, Linklater built stories around the texture of a moment in time.

Why Linklater's "Waking Life" was a groundbreaking film

1m 58s

Waking Life introduced an entirely new, low-budget way for Richard Linklater to make his films. Editor Sandra Adair and Kent Jones (Film Society of Lincoln Center) talk about how Linklater used DV cameras and animation to remain truly independent.

Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny - Trailer

38s

Slacker. Indie filmmaker. Oscar nominee. Writer, director, producer, actor Richard Linklater is all these things and more, a poster boy for the fiercely independent style of filmmaking that emerged out of Austin, Texas in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Remembering Jerry Lewis

1m 59s

Beloved comedian and filmmaker Jerry Lewis passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at the age of 91 in his Las Vegas home. In this never before seen interview from August 2015, Lewis discusses what his father, an vaudeville entertainer, taught him.

Remembering Jerry Lewis

1m 59s

Beloved comedian and filmmaker Jerry Lewis passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at the age of 91 in his Las Vegas home. In this never before seen interview from August 2015, Lewis discusses what his father, an vaudeville entertainer, taught him.

Inspiring Woman | Your Stories: Josephine Rubio Flores

30s

From viewer Sylvia Garza: "My mother was a 10th generation Tejana (Texan) who grew up in a time when women were not appreciated or respected as others. Because of her constant encouragement, we have lived the American dream."

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