 ProductLink |
|
 The son of Elsie Ellen, a dressmaker, and William Leslie Parker, a house painter, Alan Parker was a London advertising copywriter in the 1960s and early 1970s with Collett Dickenson Pearce (CDP), an ad agency. He formed a partnership with David Puttnam as his producer (Puttnam had been a photographers' agent), and left CDP to become a full-time director of television commercials before moving onto feature films.
Bio:
The son of Elsie Ellen, a dressmaker, and William Leslie Parker, a house painter, Alan Parker was a London advertising copywriter in the 1960s and early 1970s with Collett Dickenson Pearce (CDP), an ad agency. He formed a partnership with David Puttnam as his producer (Puttnam had been a photographers' agent), and left CDP to become a full-time director of television commercials before moving onto feature films.
Tivia:
In order to join the Directors Guild Of America (DGA) a candidate must be nominated by three established members. When Parker applied for membership his nominators were: Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola and John Schlesinger.Considered Oliver Stone as his strong antagonist since their collaboration on Midnight Express (1978). Parker even declined several times to give him WGA credits for his previous work on Evita (1996), but finally agreed to do so after a long deliberation with WGA's law representatives.Directed 3 actors to Oscar nominations: John Hurt (Best Supporting Actor, Midnight Express (1978)), Gene Hackman (Best Actor, Mississippi Burning (1988)), and Frances McDormand (Best Supporting Actress, Mississippi Burning (1988)).He was a founding member of the Directors' Guild of Great Britain and has lectured at film schools around the world.Member of the Official Competition jury at the 44th Cannes International Film Festival in 1991.Appointed CBE in 1995 and knighted in the 2002 New Year's Honours List. Known as Sir Alan Parker.Usually, his films end with either the main character dying or end with a depressing down note (see Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982), Evita (1996), The Life of David Gale (2003), Angela's Ashes (1999), Mississippi Burning (1988) and Midnight Express (1978)).Was friends with director Tony Scott, whom he sponsored to direct The Hunger (1983) for producer Richard Shepard.His sons Alexander Parker and Jake Parker help their father out on a lot of his projects, e.g. composing the score for The Life of David Gale (2003).In an interview for The Road to Wellville (1994), Parker stated that his mission as a filmmaker was to make at least one movie for each genre available.One of Parker's idols, Fred Zinnemann, became an unlikely mentor and would often agree to see many of his films before anyone else.Published several collections of film industry-related cartoons, including "Hares in the Gate" (1983).Father of Nathan Parker.Wrote press-kit annotations for journalists at advance screenings for many years, beginning in 1981.He wrote 'Melody' and decided to give up his day job for the film but he couldn't get in because of his his lack of experience and being unknown so turned to doing commercials.He did Bugsy Malone by creating a product. When he signed Jody Foster she had only done 'Little Girl Down the Lane' but by the time filming started she had shot to notice in the film 'Taxi Driver',.He was the son of Elsie Ellen, a dressmaker, and William Leslie Parker, a house painter.Has one daughter: Annie from a previous marriage and one son: Henry from his current marriage LIsa, and seven grandchildren.He became head of production for Paramount Studios at 3. His only other studio experience had been in an administration capacity at Warner Brothers Cartoons and Pakula -Mulligan Productions. |
| Name: |
Alan Parker |
Type: |
Director,Writer,Producer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Director,Writer,Producer |
| Products for sale: |
Director,Writer,Producer |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:39:33 |
| Biography: |
The son of Elsie Ellen, a dressmaker, and William Leslie Parker, a house painter, Alan Parker was a London advertising copywriter in the 1960s and early 1970s with Collett Dickenson Pearce (CDP), an ad agency. He formed a partnership with David Puttn |
| Trivia: |
In order to join the Directors Guild Of America (DGA) a candidate must be nominated by three established members. When Parker applied for membership his nominators were: Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola and John Schlesinger.Considered Oliver Stone as his strong antagonist since their collaboration on Midnight Express (1978). Parker even declined several times to give him WGA credits for his previous work on Evita (1996), but finally agreed to do so after a long deliberation with WGA's law representatives.Directed 3 actors to Oscar nominations: John Hurt (Best Supporting Actor, Midnight Express (1978)), Gene Hackman (Best Actor, Mississippi Burning (1988)), and Frances McDormand (Best Supporting Actress, Mississippi Burning (1988)).He was a founding member of the Directors' Guild of Great Britain and has lectured at film schools around the world.Member of the Official Competition jury at the 44th Cannes International Film Festival in 1991.Appointed CBE in 1995 and knighted in the 2002 New Year's Honours List. Known as Sir Alan Parker.Usually, his films end with either the main character dying or end with a depressing down note (see Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982), Evita (1996), The Life of David Gale (2003), Angela's Ashes (1999), Mississippi Burning (1988) and Midnight Express (1978)).Was friends with director Tony Scott, whom he sponsored to direct The Hunger (1983) for producer Richard Shepard.His sons Alexander Parker and Jake Parker help their father out on a lot of his projects, e.g. composing the score for The Life of David Gale (2003).In an interview for The Road to Wellville (1994), Parker stated that his mission as a filmmaker was to make at least one movie for each genre available.One of Parker's idols, Fred Zinnemann, became an unlikely mentor and would often agree to see many of his films before anyone else.Published several collections of film industry-related cartoons, including "Hares in the Gate" (1983).Father of Nathan Parker.Wrote press-kit annotations for journalists at advance screenings for many years, beginning in 1981.He wrote 'Melody' and decided to give up his day job for the film but he couldn't get in because of his his lack of experience and being unknown so turned to doing commercials.He did Bugsy Malone by creating a product. When he signed Jody Foster she had only done 'Little Girl Down the Lane' but by the time filming started she had shot to notice in the film 'Taxi Driver',.He was the son of Elsie Ellen, a dressmaker, and William Leslie Parker, a house painter.Has one daughter: Annie from a previous marriage and one son: Henry from his current marriage LIsa, and seven grandchildren.He became head of production for Paramount Studios at 3. His only other studio experience had been in an administration capacity at Warner Brothers Cartoons and Pakula -Mulligan Productions. |
| Trademarks: |
Musical
Graphic and brutal depiction of violence
Films based on true stories
His films often have a dark, noirish look to them. They are often lit in very dark colors. |
| Quotes: |
I was once described by one of my critics as an aesthetic fascist.
<br />
<hr>
I'm always afraid someone's going to tap me on the shoulder one day and say, "Back to North London".
<br />
<hr>
Making a film is so hard that if you don't have your main actors going along with the ride with the rest of the crew it can make your life very difficult. Particularly within the Hollywood machine. They've allowed more stars to take over and it can make everyone else's life a misery. But the truth is the actors are doing their job just the same as the camera assistant and the costume designer and everybody else.
<br />
<hr>
Every time I've been to Cannes, I've made up my mind never to return. Every time my vanity wins over.
<br />
<hr>
[meeting an unknown Paul Thomas Anderson at a parking lot after an event at the USC film school] As I pulled away I could see in my mirror a young man chasing after me, waving a videotape. He ran alongside, banging at the window. I stopped, wound down the window, and he thrust the videotape through the window saying he'd made a short film and really wanted me to look at it. The short was The Dirk Diggler Story (1988), which I looked at and thought was quite brilliant. |
| Job title: |
Director,Writer,Producer |
| Others works: |
(1996) Music video: Directed "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" by Madonna for the Evita (1996) soundtrack.
TV commercial: Bird's Eye Beefburgers
(1996) Music video: Directed "You Must Love Me" video by Madonna for the Evita (199 |
| Spouse: |
Lisa Moran (December 16, 2001 - July 31, 2020) (his death, 1 child)Anne J Inglis (July 30, 1966 - January 6, 1992) (divorced, 4 children) |
| Children: |
Alexander ParkerJake ParkerNathan Parker |
| Parents: |
William Leslie Parker
Elsie Ellen |
| Relatives: |
Alexander Parker (Sibling)
Jake Parker (Sibling)
Nathan Parker (Sibling) |
|
