A Brief History of Errol Morris

“A Brief History of Errol Morris” tells the stories of American documentary filmmaking Errol Morris. The film takes an interesting approach by explaining him through his films. The film starts with a look at Morris as a college student Morris says, “I was incredibility unsuccessful student at a number of schools and instead of going to class I went to movies.” Morris became obsessed with watching movies. This is probably why he was so picky about the way his films look because he had an idea of what a non-fiction film should look like. For “Gates of Heaven” he went through 3 cameramen (one was working for free) until he found one. As he progressed through his films “Vernon Florida” and “The Thin Blue Line” he skills to speak to people became very important to the success of his films and also a lifeline and being able to make money to make his films. To make money for “The Thin Blue Line” he worked as a private detective. According to his friend he is great at getting things out of people because “he won’t fill the silence.” In many of his films like “A Brief History of Time” and “Fast Cheap and Out of Control” Morris shows people who are obsessive about things. It makes you wonder if he’s judging them but I think he identifies with them, which in a narcissistic way, is the reason he finds them interesting. This is reflected in his obsession to have people look directly into the lens. Morris says, “I think eye contact is really important. It gives that dramatic value. You know when someone is looking at you. You know when you connect.” Due to this Morris built the interrotron, which is a device that is similar to a teleprompter. Errol and his subject each sit facing a camera and the image of each person’s face is then projected onto a two-way mirror positioned in front of the lens of the other’s camera. So they are looking at each other but they are actually looking straight into the lens. Morris said, “The beauty of this is that it allows people to do what they do best mainly watch television. It’s the television set that cares. It’s the television set that really wants to know more about you.” Lastly, Morris discusses “Mr. Death” about a man who makes execution equipment for a living. Morris talks about how it’s not an accident that he was attracted to Fred because of his upbringing. He reveals that he came from a family with a lot of tragedy, his father died when he was two years old. This has become his reasoning for his almost obsessive interest in Death. In my opinion there characteristics that most well known documentary makers fit and much like Wiseman Morris’ definitely has those characteristics of intelligence, headstrong, picky, and inventive.