David Lynch has left the building.
For a generation of filmmakers—mine included—he wasn’t just an inspiration; he was a permission slip. A reminder that films didn’t have to be neat, tidy, or even fully comprehensible to leave a mark. In a world obsessed with formulas, Lynch was our patron saint of the strange.
His work was a mosaic of contradictions: beautiful yet grotesque, tranquil yet unnerving, nonsensical yet profound. Watching a Lynch film was like being handed a map and realizing halfway through that it led nowhere. And you didn’t care, because the journey was so damn interesting.
Lynch’s Legacy: A Missing Voice in Modern Filmmaking
Here’s the thing about Lynch: he didn’t just make movies—he made experiences. His films didn’t cater to focus groups or audience algorithms. They challenged you, sometimes outright antagonized you.
And in today’s landscape, where every streaming service is mining data to figure out how to make you click “Next Episode,” Lynch’s voice feels like a long-lost art.
But here’s the good news: we don’t have to let it stay lost.
As independent filmmakers, we’re not beholden to market trends or studio mandates. We can keep Lynch’s spirit alive—embracing the odd, the daring, and the utterly original.
What Lynch Taught Us
I could wax poetic about Lynch’s filmography all day, but let’s get practical. Here are five Lynchian techniques that indie filmmakers like us can—and should—steal unapologetically.
1. Sound as Storytelling
Lynch didn’t just score his films; he sculpted their soundscapes. Think of the industrial hum in Eraserhead or the haunting wind in Twin Peaks. These weren’t background details—they were characters in their own right.
Examples You Can Use:
• The Elephant Man: The oppressive hum of industrial machinery made you feel as trapped as John Merrick himself.
• Mulholland Drive: Angelo Badalamenti’s score wasn’t just eerie; it told you when to hold your breath.
• Blue Velvet: That awkward silence in Frank Booth’s rants? Terrifying.
Your Takeaway: Sound isn’t an afterthought. It’s an opportunity to immerse your audience. Record and manipulate sounds that amplify your film’s emotions.
2. Dream Logic
Lynch’s narratives rarely made linear sense, but they felt true in the way dreams do. He blurred the line between reality and imagination, creating sequences that were disorienting yet irresistible.
Examples You Can Use:
• Mulholland Drive: The club scene with “No hay banda”—a moment that’s surreal yet emotionally devastating.
• Twin Peaks: Laura Palmer’s cryptic dialogue in the Black Lodge. Who needs exposition when you have dream logic?
• Lost Highway: A narrative that shifts perspectives and identities midstream, keeping you on edge.
Your Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to embrace ambiguity. Let your audience interpret and fill in the gaps.
3. The Power of Pacing
If you’ve ever watched a Lynch film and thought, “Is this scene still going?”—that’s not a mistake. Lynch used slow pacing to stretch tension like a rubber band until it snapped.
Examples You Can Use:
• Twin Peaks: The Return: That sweeping scene in the bar—seemingly pointless, but it heightens the unease.
• Blue Velvet: The lingering close-ups of Dorothy’s bruised face force you to confront her pain.
• The Straight Story: A slow-burn journey that’s more about the emotional miles than the physical ones.
Your Takeaway: Slow down. Let the audience marinate in a moment before hitting them with the next twist.
4. Characters as Archetypes
Lynch’s characters weren’t just people—they were symbols. Frank Booth in Blue Velvet wasn’t just a villain; he was rage personified. Laura Palmer wasn’t just a victim; she was the shattered American Dream.
Examples You Can Use:
• Blue Velvet: Frank Booth’s manic rants embody pure chaos.
• Wild at Heart: Sailor and Lula are exaggerated portraits of love and rebellion.
• The Elephant Man: Merrick’s dignity transcends his physical form.
Your Takeaway: Distill your characters to their essence. What single trait defines them? Now crank it up.
5. Unpredictable Storytelling
Lynch was the master of the left turn. Just when you thought you understood where a story was headed, he’d pull the rug out from under you.
Examples You Can Use:
• Lost Highway: A protagonist who literally becomes someone else halfway through the film.
• Eraserhead: That grotesque baby—need I say more?
• Inland Empire: Narrative threads dissolve into abstract chaos, yet it works.
Your Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to surprise your audience. A well-timed twist or shift can re-engage even the most distracted viewer.
Sentimentality with a Side of Pragmatism
David Lynch was a filmmaker who reminded us that cinema is an art form—not just a business. For those of us chasing our dreams in the indie world, that’s a lesson worth remembering.
Lynch’s work proves that you don’t need validation. You just need a vision—and the courage to execute it.
So, let’s honour Lynch by taking risks, telling stories that matter to us, and leaning into the weird.
Because in a world of predictable content, weird is refreshing. Weird is memorable. Weird is the only thing worth being.
Final Thoughts on David Lynch
To the filmmakers in my generation who were shaped by Lynch’s work: his style might be absent from the modern industry, but that doesn’t mean we have to abandon it.
Take his lessons. Use them.
Make something bold. Make something memorable. And above all, make something only you could make.
A New Way to Join the Conversation
After a couple of years of sharing thoughts, lessons, and the occasional misstep through writing, I’ve decided to try something new.
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my podcast, Off The Lot, along with co-host Ken Kabatoff.
It’s a space where we’ll explore independent filmmaking, creativity, and the evolving landscape of storytelling. Think of it as an extension of the newsletter—less polished, more conversational, and always honest.
Our first episode is live, and I’d love for you to check it out: Listen here on Spotify. Or if you prefer, you can watch and listen on YouTube.
There’s no hard sell here. If you enjoy the newsletter, I think you’ll find value in the podcast. And if you give it a listen, let me know what you think.
If there’s a topic you’d like me to cover on the podcast, hit reply. This is a conversation, not a monologue.
Thank you, as always, for being part of this community.
Until next time,
Anthony (He/Him)
P.S. Do you have a favourite Lynch film? Or better yet, a favourite Lynch moment? Drop me a reply—I’d love to hear what left you awestruck, confused, or downright terrified.
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Behind the scenes
As we prep for our next projects, we are sharing some of the highs (and lows) of trying to bring everything together.
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