It has been said that Luhrmann's fascination with characterisation stems from child hood, after encountering a variety of interesting people while working in a gas station during his younger days. .
"As a kid pumping gas, I saw an endless stream of humanity arrive from the big city, pass through and then leave. Everyone from families, Hare Krishnas, lovers breaking up . and you're invisible to them. I guess that's why I've always been interested in people's characters. Who's that person? What's that person? Where are they coming from?".
(Baz Luhrmann, discussing his childhood during interview on Internet site).
Baz learnt everything he knows from his own childhood experiences and from training at the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Arts. This is where he first devised, staged and directed a thirty minute play entitled "Strictly Ballroom" later to become the basis for his first hit film. .
The Structures, Sequences and Patterns.
Luhrmanns production of "La Boheme" made its debut on Broadway December 2002 and was declared to be a magnificent re-working of Puccini's masterpiece. This showcased Luhrmann's trademark signature of L"amour, the French word for love. Since appearing at Luhrmann's wedding in 1997, it is a phrase which has appeared in some format in all of his works, including both the Sydney and Broadway productions of La Boheme. The word features in red lettering resembling the Coca-Cola sign. In Strictly Ballroom the lovers kiss in front of the large sign, in Romeo and Juliet, Leonardo Dicaprio walks past the sign and in Moulin Rouge it appears as L"amour Fou, as in the French for "mad love". This is probably one of the most noticeable patterns within his works.
Luhrmann has actually developed his own style of directing and filmmaking entitled "The Red Curtain". However La Boheme marks the final piece of work using this style of filmmaking.
"I'm through with Romeo and Juliet and boy meets girl, and on to Macbeth and man kills beast.
