Filmmaker Michael Mann is known for his exacting research and exhaustive preparation, work that goes into such moody, existential portraits as Heat , The Insider , Ali , Miami Vice , Blackhat and the recent Ferrari . Mann is now giving audiences an unprecedented glimpse into his artistic process via the website michaelmannarchives.com.
Launched on July 16, the website begins with a deep dive into the making of Ferrari , including 20 video pieces specifically created for the site, previously unseen photographs, annotated script pages and production paperwork including Mann’s working notes, many in his own handwriting. On a recent afternoon at his long-time offices in West Los Angeles, Mann, sitting with the youngest of his four daughters, Becca Mann, who worked closely with her father in organising the archives, talked about the project. He appears energised by their work together.
The existence of Mann’s extensive personal archive was the initial impulse behind the online project, the simple fact that all this material was there for the posting. From there, though, it began to take on a larger purpose. “It is a spectacular, rewarding, creative act to direct a motion picture,” says Mann, 81.
“It’s a very large endeavour. The movie is two hours – making it is a year and a half. So much goes into deciding, thinking through what you are going to do.
” Continuing, Mann speaks to something deeper. “Directors have no idea how any other director makes a movie,” he .