Film Directors Who Were Oscar-Nominated for Writing Songs for Their Films

Film Directors Who Were Oscar-Nominated for Writing Songs for Their Films

From Ang Lee's haunting soundtrack to Justin Hurwitz' Oscar-winning work on La La Land, these film directors have mastered the craft of writing wonderful songs that fit their films perfectly. And they're not alone!

On this list are Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) and Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), the first two female directors to be nominated for this prestigious award.

James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment)

He adapted Larry McMurtry's novel, Terms of Endearment, into a hit film which went on to win three Oscars and garner 11 Academy nominations. Additionally, Brooks has received 54 Primetime Emmy Awards throughout his career.

He has written for numerous TV shows, such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi and Lou Grant. Additionally, he co-created The Tracy Ullman Show, Room 222 and Thursday's Game.

Brooks began his film career with 1979's Starting Over. Two years later, he wrote, directed and produced Terms of Endearment (1983), which is still considered a classic today.

His next movie, Broadcast News, which centered around his journalistic experiences, was also a major success. It earned the New York Drama Critics Award, several Oscar nominations and earned WGA and Golden Globe screenplay nods as well.

Brooks is a renowned writer, director and producer best known for his works I'll Do Anything, As Good as It Gets, Bottle Rocket and Jerry Maguire. He has earned numerous awards including the WGAW's Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement in 2006; furthermore his films have been nominated for more than 40 Academy Awards and released across more than 30 countries worldwide.

Roland Joffe (The Killing Fields)

After a successful television career in Britain, Joffe made his film directorial debut with The Killing Fields. This captivating story followed a New York Times reporter and his Cambodian translator as they navigate life during the Khmer Rouge regime in 1973.

The movie presents vivid and harrowing depictions of Cambodia under Pol Pot's regime, while also exploring themes such as friendship and taking responsibility for one's actions. Haing S. Ngor, a Cambodian refugee with no prior acting experience, gives an outstanding performance in the role; he eventually goes on to win an Academy Award for it!

At the 1985 Oscars, The Killing Fields earned seven nominations - including Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay. Ngor was nominated for Best Supporting Actor while cinematography earned recognition too. Today, The Killing Fields is widely considered one of the most powerful films ever made about war and human suffering; a must-watch for anyone seeking insight into human nature.

Ryan Coogler (Black Panther)

Marvel's Black Panther has cemented Coogler's place as a household name. As the director of the first Black superhero movie to earn top reviews and shatter stereotypes, Coogler continues to break down barriers that were once in place.

His film has broken box office records and is expected to earn over a billion dollars worldwide. Additionally, it's an Oscar contender.

This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized Coogler for penning "Lift Me Up," a song featured on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. As an homage to Chadwick Boseman - who originally portrayed T'Challa/Black Panther - in this film, Coogler created this tribute for Boseman.

The soundtrack includes songs from South African artists Busiswa, DBN Gogo and others as well as Nigeria and Mexico. Ludwig Goransson plays a whistle in action scenes of the movie which is credited with playing the death whistle.

Barbra Streisand (The Sting)

Barbra Streisand is an icon, having achieved greatness across nearly every form of entertainment. She earned herself the title "legend," having achieved Grammy and Academy Award success as an actress, singer, director and producer.

At 21, she made her Broadway debut and then the role of Fanny Brice from Funny Girl inspired her to pursue film work. This marked the first woman ever to produce, direct, write and star in a major motion picture.

Her success onstage earned her a recording contract and soon thereafter, she began performing in cabarets. Her captivating soprano won over an enthusiastic following at New York City clubs like Bon Soir and Blue Angel.

After a brief hiatus, she returned to her Broadway roots with 1985's The Broadway Album. This album became an instant classic and earned her eighth Grammy as Best Female Vocalist.

Mel Brooks (The Producers)

Brooks has written songs for many of his films, such as Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Additionally, he composed the music and lyrics for The Producers - winning him a Tony Award for Best Original Score and Book.

Melvin Kaminsky was born on June 28, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York to Kate Brookman and Max Kaminsky. He served in the army during World War II before embarking on a career as a stand-up comic at resorts around the Catskill Mountains.

At the age of 16, Brooks began playing drums after learning how to do so from Buddy Rich. He spent some time performing in troop revues before being cast as a writer on television's Your Show of Shows.

At this time, he also co-created with Buck Henry a show called Get Smart which parodied spy culture. In 1965, he wrote the screenplay for the film version of Get Smart.

Though The Producers did not perform well at the box office, it earned Brooks his first Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and became one of his best-known comedies. Its iconic centrepiece, an upbeat Busby Berkeley-like musical number "Springtime for Hitler," is widely considered one of the greatest comedy scenes ever and has inspired generations of filmmakers to follow suit.

Spike Jonze (Moonrise Kingdom)

Spike Jonze, born and raised in Rockville, Maryland, is renowned for his visually arresting films. He has received multiple accolades for his work, including an Academy Award nomination for The Royal Tenenbaums in 2001.

He has also achieved success with his music videos, documentaries and short stories. Some of his most acclaimed films include Bottle Rocket (1996), Rushmore (1998), Being John Malkovich (1999), Where the Wild Things Are (2009) and Moonrise Kingdom (2012).

His films are distinguished by a blend of pop culture references, irony and hipster whimsy. He has received many accolades for his work, including being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Directing for Her (2013).

His first feature film was Being John Malkovich, a surreal comedy that follows the events that unfold when a puppeteer discovers a portal into actor John Malkovich's mind. His next venture was an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are which proved successful. Subsequently he made stop-motion film Fantastic Mr. Fox which won him an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Seth MacFarlane (The Peanuts Movie)

The Peanuts Movie is the first live-action film to retell beloved comic strip tales. Starring everyone's favorite red-haired pup and his owner Charlie Brown, this film promises to delight fans of both comic book and TV specials alike.

Seth MacFarlane, creator and director of the hit Fox sitcom "Ted," earned himself an Oscar nod for best picture with this nomination - four trophies in total and making the list of top 10 nominees. Seth's nomination for best original score was one of the most prestigious of the lot;

The filmmakers faced a formidable challenge: striking an appropriate balance between entertaining traditional viewers and captivating a younger generation that's become inundated with high-tech animation from blockbuster sequels. Fortunately, the film is expertly executed, featuring an all-star cast and cost effective 3D production model that won't break your budget. But perhaps most rewarding of all is witnessing audiences' delight as they realize they've come upon something truly remarkable.

Trey Parker (The Lego Movie)

Trey Parker is best known as one of the creators of hit animated television series South Park. Since 1997, this show has served as a commentary on American culture and has become an iconic cultural icon.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, co-creators of the show, had the option to produce a film based on it in 1998 under certain conditions. One requirement was that it receive an R rating to stay true to its humor-filled nature in both series and short films.

Though some controversy arose during the making of the film, including its use of profanity, it is now considered one of the top animated films ever. Plus, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song!

Though it may appear as a cynical promotion of the toy brand, "A Lego Brickumentary" is actually an intelligent and captivating docu-drama that convincingly illustrates how people have used these interlocking plastic building blocks for so many different purposes. With testimonials from NBA All-Star Dwight Howard and UK pop star Ed Sheeran, it's sure to make viewers feel right at home with their own Lego collection!