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Gus Van Sant
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While Gus Van Sant's name is likely more familiar for his work as a prominent independent filmmaker, he ... enjoyed a brief flirtation with music which later resulted in the release of a pair of albums. Born July 24, 1952 in Louisville, Kentucky, Van Sant first turned to music while attending the Rhode Island School of Design during the mid-1970s; three of his school friends -- David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Frantz -- formed Talking Heads while also at the university. After graduation, Van Sant's artistic aspirations went on hold as he took a job in advertising; after moving back in with his parents, he returned to music, making a number of primitive home recordings during the early 1980s. Upon moving to Portland, Oregon, he also formed a band named Destroy All Blondes, but with the success of his 1985 feature debut Mala Noche -- and with the subsequent popularity of films including Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho and To Die For -- music was all but forgotten. Finally, in 1997 Van Sant issued his early recordings as the LPs 18 Songs About Golf and Gus Van Sant. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
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Gus Van Sant is a true artist. He's created several endearing, wonderfully unique films, two albums of full of quirky songs, and even a brand new novel; not to mention his background in both painting and photography. His creative talent is obvious to anyone who has seen or heard any of his artistic endeavors. To find out more about his other, non-film related activities and influences, click on a link below.
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Born July 24, 1952, in Louisville, Ky., to a traveling salesman and his wife, Gus Van Sant never had a chance to put down real roots, relying on his art to keep him grounded. As a high school student, he began writing and directing short films with a Super-8 camera and soon found his way to the Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied the works of avant-garde auteurs such as Andy Warhol and Jonas Mekas.
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A director who is capable of crafting both deeply unconventional independent films and mainstream crowd-pleasers, Gus Van Sant has managed to carve an enviable niche for himself in Hollywood. Since debuting in 1985 with Mala Noche, Van Sant has become one of the premiere bards of dysfunction...Read More
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According to Variety, director Gus Van Sant has found the cast for his upcoming adaptation of the Blake Nelson novel Paranoid Park. As reported by Cinematical's own Scott Weinberg a little while ago, Van Sant was looking for a cast of newcomers, and based on the fact that star Gabe Nevins doesn't even have an entry yet over at the IMDB, I'd say he's at least partially succeeded. Presumably Nevins's casting is the result of the open casting call for teens with mad skills on the skateboard that Van Sant was holding back in July. Also starring are Jake Miller, Lauren McKinney and Daniel Lui. Joining the cast of unknowns is Taylor Momsen, who, having starred in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the upcoming Underdog, seems to have an affinity for working with cartoon characters. Nelson's novel tells the tale of a skateboarding teen who accidentally kills a transit cop, and the teen's life quickly spins out of control.
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Gus Van Sant emerged as one of the most exciting talents of the late-'80s/early-'90s independent film scene, yet he has ... been able to excel in Hollywood as a top director. He is one of few players who can easily flow between the independent and studio worlds without compromise. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, the son of a traveling salesman, Van Sant grew up moving about with his family. Later, he studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he discovered a new passion: avant-garde film. After a brief stint in Los Angeles, where he directed the small independent film Alice in Hollywood, Van Sant ended up in Portland, Oregon, where he currently lives and works.
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Gus Van Sant