Interview Referenced Resources

People

• Tom Cruise - the interviewee, discussing his career, filmmaking process, and experiences.
• Edith - mentioned as thanking her for being there.
• Christopher McQuarrie (McHugh) - referred to as "creative brother," collaborator on Mission: Impossible films and Top Gun: Maverick, instrumental in script development and storytelling.
• Eddie Hamilton - editor and collaborator on Mission: Impossible films and Top Gun: Maverick, praised for his exceptional storytelling and contributions.
• Stanley Jaffe - producer of Taps, known to Cruise since he was 18, involved in Mission: Impossible.
• Harold Becker - director of Taps.
• Timothy Hutton - actor in Taps.
• Sean Penn - actor in Taps.
• George C. Scott - actor Cruise played chess with on Sunday morning during Taps.
• Owen Roizman - cinematographer mentioned in the context of Taps and his mentorship.
• Robert Townson - mentioned as a friend and part of a generation Cruise spent time with.
• Jack Nicholson - actor in A Few Good Men, with whom Cruise had an extraordinary experience working.
• Francis Ford Coppola (Francis) - director with whom Cruise did workshops, offered Rumble Fish but chose Risky Business.
• Mickey Rourke - actor who participated in workshops with Coppola, older than Cruise at the time.
• Curtis Hanson - director of Tijuana (later known as Over the Edge), worked with Cruise after Taps.
• Shelley Long - actress in Tijuana.
• Jackie Earle Haley - actor in Tijuana.
• Dustin Hoffman - actor Cruise met through his sister, leading to the role in Rain Man.
• John Malkovich - actor Cruise saw in "True West" and later met during the "Death of a Salesman" production.
• Gary Sinise - actor Cruise saw in "True West" with John Malkovich.
• Ridley Scott - director Cruise worked with on Legend, met a driver who worked with David Lean.
• David Lean - director whose driver Cruise met and heard stories about.
• Jerry Bruckheimer - producer Cruise worked with on Top Gun and Days of Thunder.
• Don Simpson - producer Cruise worked with on Top Gun and Days of Thunder.
• Tony Scott - director Cruise worked with on Top Gun and Days of Thunder, credited with changing aerial photography and motorsports filming.
• Val Kilmer - actor in Top Gun, who Cruise's team "begged" to do the film.
• Anthony Edwards - actor in Top Gun.
• Kelly McGillis - actress in Top Gun.
• Ben Stiller - mentioned as a talented director and friend, in response to a question about a Les Grossman film.
• Oliver Stone - director Cruise worked with on Born on the Fourth of July.
• Paul Newman - actor Cruise met and worked with, particularly in relation to Born on the Fourth of July.
• Martin Scorsese (Scorsese) - director Cruise met and learned from, worked with on various projects.
• Gordon Willis - cinematographer mentioned in relation to Marlon Brando's work in The Godfather.
• Marlon Brando - actor mentioned as understanding lighting and lenses, particularly in The Godfather.
• Chaplin - mentioned as a Vaudeville performer who tested skills in front of a live audience.
• Harold Lloyd - mentioned as a Vaudeville performer who tested skills in front of a live audience.
• Buster Keaton - mentioned as a Vaudeville performer who tested skills in front of a live audience.
• Cass Cruise - Tom Cruise's younger sister, credited with encouraging him to speak to Dustin Hoffman.
• Brad Bird - present during the filming of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, confused by McQuarrie's quick writing.
• Simon Pegg - present during the filming of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, confused by McQuarrie's quick writing.
• Heather, GG, Wilhelmina - mentioned as family members who have grown up together on the road.

Organizations

• BFI - location where the interview is taking place in England.
• Paramount - studio where Stanley Jaffe and Sherry Lansing were, Cruise approached them about producing Mission: Impossible.
• CAA - agency mentioned as being new when Cruise was 18 and wanting to represent him.
• Pinewood Studios - studio in England where Cruise visited and saw the Bond stage and forest being built.
• Abbey Road Studios - implied by the context of being in England and discussing filmmaking.

Documents

• Taps screenplay - Cruise's early experience on the film is discussed.
• Scripts for various films - Cruise discusses receiving and developing scripts, notably for Rain Man and Magnolia.
• Play "A Few Good Men" - Cruise saw the play and then wanted to make it into a movie.
• "Death of a Salesman" - play Dustin Hoffman was performing in when Cruise met him.

Tools

• Camera - mentioned in the context of learning its use, understanding the lens, and its impact on filmmaking.
• Lenses - mentioned in relation to cinematographers like Owen Roizman and understanding their impact.
• Microphone - used by an interviewer who "tripped" Cruise to get an interview.
• Harnesses and Cables - used in Mission: Impossible for stunts, mentioned as being new and experimental at the time.
• Digital Cameras - used in Collateral, discussed as a new technology for filming.
• Film Cameras - mentioned in contrast to digital cameras during the filming of Collateral.

Technologies

• Internet - mentioned as not existing when Cruise was scouting areas for theaters.
• Digital Cinematography - discussed in the context of filming Collateral with Michael Mann.
• Motion Picture Technology - Cruise expresses interest in the evolution of film, lenses, and speed of film.

Concepts/Other

• Vaudeville - mentioned as the performance background of Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton.
• The Studio System - Cruise studied the studio system and distribution.
• Storytelling - a core interest and focus for Cruise throughout his career.
• Filmmaking Process - Cruise details his deep involvement and learning throughout his career.
• Action and Suspense Genres - areas of interest for Cruise, particularly for Mission: Impossible.
• Character Development - Cruise discusses creating and inhabiting characters, often showing his process.
• Mentorship - Cruise highlights the importance of mentors and learning from experienced individuals.
• Competency - Cruise emphasizes striving for competency in his industry.
• Humanity - a key interest for Cruise in life, history, geography, and journeys.
• Emotional Connection in Film - Cruise believes emotion is at the heart of what he does and connects with audiences.
• The Craft of Acting - Cruise discusses technical aspects, like understanding the lens and physicality.
• Producing - Cruise's journey into producing, starting with Mission: Impossible.
• Stunts - Cruise's early interest and his involvement in performing them.
• Global Cinema - Cruise's interest in making movies for a global audience and understanding international markets.
• Screenwriting and Script Development - Cruise's active role in shaping scripts and stories.
• Theatrical Performance vs. Film Performance - Cruise touches on the differences and skills required for each.
• The Editing Process - Cruise advises actors to spend time in the editing room to understand filmmaking.
• Lighting and Composition - elements Cruise studied in filmmaking.
• Music and Soundtracks - Cruise mentions his love for music and its role in film, specifically the Mission: Impossible theme.
• The Red Carpet Premiere - an idea Cruise came up with to bring Hollywood culture to other countries.