Roger Corman, who passed away at the age of 98 on Saturday, had a remarkable impact on the careers of many prominent filmmakers. One such example is Ron Howard, whom Corman assisted in making the transition from a child star to a multifaceted director. In 1977, Corman entrusted Howard with his initial directing opportunity by offering him the action comedy “Grand Theft Auto.”
Howard pointed out that during that time, Corman was renowned for providing women with greater opportunities in the film industry. Notably, he gave chances to talented individuals like Penelope Spheeris and Gale Ann Hurd, enabling them to excel in their careers.
In a touching tribute, Howard expressed his gratitude towards Corman on Sunday morning. He acknowledged Corman’s immense contribution in mentoring several generations of renowned filmmakers. Additionally, he highlighted Corman’s efforts in providing opportunities to individuals in the production side of the industry who were facing difficulties in finding suitable career paths. Howard also commended Corman for his progressive approach of empowering women by appointing them in positions of authority within his company and various movie departments, a practice that was rare during that period.
When it comes to us rookie directors, Roger taught us the importance of finding our creative voices and expressing ourselves within the popular entertainment genres. He always prioritized the audience and despite the limited budgets, he pushed us to deliver on each movie’s promise to them. In the case of ‘Grand Theft Auto,’ that meant incorporating more cars, zany characters, and outlandish crashes. Personally, I learned valuable lessons in shooting and post-production from him, which I continue to apply in my career.
I had the opportunity to see Roger at a tribute to his career at the Aero Theatre last year. It was a powerful reminder of the wide range of his work and the significant impact he had on Hollywood. It was truly satisfying to witness Roger’s sharpness and vibrant energy. His life was truly remarkable.
Ron Howard claimed both the best picture and best director awards for his 2001 film “A Beautiful Mind.” Throughout his career, he has helmed numerous high-profile projects, such as “Apollo 13,” “Cocoon,” “Backdraft,” “Parenthood,” and “Splash.”
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