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Sam Taylor-Johnson

(Redirected fromSam Taylor-Wood)

Samantha Louise Taylor-Johnson[1]OBE(néeTaylor-Wood;born 4 March 1967) is a British film director and artist. Her directorial feature film debut was 2009'sNowhere Boy,a film based on the childhood experiences ofthe Beatles' singer and songwriterJohn Lennon.She is one of a group of artists known as theYoung British Artists.

Sam Taylor-Johnson
OBE
Taylor-Johnson in September 2010
Born
Samantha Louise Taylor-Wood

(1967-03-04)4 March 1967(age 57)
Croydon,London, England
Alma materBeacon Community College
Goldsmiths, University of London
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active1993–present
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m.1997;div.2008)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m.2012)​
Children4

Early life

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Samantha Taylor-Wood was born inCroydon,London.[2]Her father, David, left the family when she was nine.[3]Her mother, Geraldine, is ayogateacher andastrologist.She has a younger sister, Ashley, and a maternal half-brother, Kristian.

Taylor-Wood grew up nearStreathamCommon in south London until her parents' divorce.[4]The family then moved into an old schoolhouse inJarvis BrookinEast Sussex,and Samantha went toBeacon Community College.She later attendedGoldsmiths, University of London.

Career

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Fine art

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Taylor-Wood began exhibiting fine-art photography in the early 1990s. One collaboration withHenry Bond,titled26 October 1993,featured Bond and Taylor-Wood reprising the roles ofYoko OnoandJohn Lennonin apasticheof the photo-portrait made by photographerAnnie Leibovitz—a few hours beforeLennon was assassinated,in 1980.[5]

In 1994, she exhibited a multi-screen video work titledKilling Time,in which four people mimed to an opera score. From that point multi-screen video works became the main focus of her work. Beginning with the video worksTravesty of a MockeryandPent-Upin 1996. One of Taylor-Wood's first United Kingdom solo shows was held at theChisenhale Gallery,east London, in September–October 1996. She was nominated for the annualTurner Prizein 1998, but lost out to the painterChris Ofili.She won the Illy Café Prize for Most Promising Young Artist at the 1997Venice Biennale.[6]

In 2000, she created a wraparound photomural around scaffolding of the London department storeSelfridgeswhile it was being restored; the mural featured 21 cultural icons includingElton John,musicianAlex James,and actorsRichard E. GrantandRay Winstone.The poses of the figures referenced famous works of art from the past and recent movies.[7] The following year, she photographed the cover and sleeve for John's 2001 albumSongs From the West Coast.

In 2002, Taylor-Wood was commissioned by theNational Portrait Galleryto makeDavid,a video portrait ofDavid Beckham—whom she depicted sleeping. She is perhaps best known for her work entitled 'Crying Men' which features many of Hollywood'sglitteraticrying, includingRobin Williams,Sean Penn,Laurence FishburneandPaul Newman.[8]In 2006, she had a survey exhibition at theBaltic Centre for Contemporary ArtinGateshead,England.[9]

2014 saw a new photographic exhibition by Taylor-Johnson, of the private apartment of Mademoiselle Chanel atThe Saatchi Gallery.Entitled ‘Second Floor,' the series of 34 photographs captured the private rooms ofCoco Chanelat 31 Rue Cambon in Paris.[10]

Nowhere Boy

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In August 2008, she was chosen to directNowhere Boy,a biopic about the childhood ofJohn Lennon.Speaking about her experience directing the film, in September 2010, she said,

"I thought, I'm in too deep and if I mess this up I'm just never gonna make a film again, and I went into a panic. I got into the car and said, I just have to call these producers and pull out. I got into the car and I put the key into the ignition and Lennon's voice came straight out of the radio and it was"Starting Over".It was one of those moments where I thought it was a sign: OK I'm gonna do it."[11]

The 53rd annualLondon Film Festivalscreened the film as its closing presentation on 29 October 2009. The film was released in the UK onBoxing Dayin 2009 to positive reviews. she was nominated for aBAFTAaward on 21 January 2010 but lost, toDuncan Jones.

Other music, film and television work

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In her 2004 film installation "Strings" at White Cube, ballet dancerIvan Putrovwas suspended by a harness above four musicians playing the slow movement fromTchaikovsky's Second String Quartet,filmed in the Crush Bar of the Royal Opera House.[12]In 2006, she contributed the short filmDeath Valleyto the British version ofDestricted.In July 2006 she was appointed as a Governor of theBritish Film Institute.[13]

In 2008, she directed a short filmLove You More,written byPatrick Marberand produced byAnthony Minghella.The film includes two songs by theBuzzcocksand features a cameo appearance by the band's lead singerPete Shelley.In February 2009, Taylor-Wood, collaborating withSky Artschose to interpret "Vesti la giubba"fromPagliacci.She commented: "I’m really happy to be involved in such a great project. I think by capturing one of opera's most moving moments in a film short, we have put a modern spin on the aria."[14]

In 2011, she directed theR.E.M.music video "Überlin".[15]The clip starred her then-fiancé Aaron Johnson, who "throws some kung-fu kicks, attempts some pirouettes, prances, punches the air, chicken walks, tries out some bunny impressions, and, at one point, fondles his bottom."[16]

In September 2011, she collaborated withSolange Azagury-Partridgeon the short filmDaydream.This was aired to support the launch of Azagury-Partridge's new jewellery collection, 24:7. Under the direction of Taylor-Wood,Liberty Rossplays a beautiful woman in her bedroom, bejewelled by her lover, played byJJ Feild.The original music was composed by Oscar winnerAtticus Ross,and the director of photography was BAFTA winnerJohn Mathieson.[17][18]

Taylor-Johnson directed thefilm adaptationofE. L. James' best-sellingerotic novel,Fifty Shades of Grey,made byUniversal PicturesandFocus Features.[19]She was chosen from a list that includedAngelina Jolie,[20]Steven Soderbergh,Ryan Murphy,Joe Wright,[21]andGus Van Sant.[22]Taylor-Johnson was in pole position to directFifty Shades Darker(the sequel toFifty Shades of Grey), but decided to walk away from the much-discussed franchise after she was involved in a number of disagreements with author E.L. James.[23]In June 2017, Taylor-Johnson said that she regretted directing the first film.[24][25]

In March 2021, Taylor-Johnson was announced to have been attached to direct and produce a biographical drama calledRothko,based on theRothko case.The film is set to commence production in summer 2021.[26]

In July 2022, it was announced that the feature filmBack to Black,a biopic based on the life and career of British singerAmy Winehousewould be directed by Taylor-Johnson.[27]Filming for the project commenced in January 2023 in London.

Personal life

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Taylor-Johnson has hadcancertwice. In December 1997, at age 30, she was treated forcolon cancer.[28]In 2000, she was diagnosed withbreast cancer.[28]

Taylor-Johnson practisesyogaandTranscendental Meditation,of which she says, "I wouldn’t be able to survive everything without the meditation that I do. It’s what I think has made me able to cope with the madness."[29]

Taylor-Johnson was appointedOfficer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE) in the2011 Birthday Honoursfor services to the arts.[30]

Marriages and children

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She married art dealer and galleristJay Joplingin 1997; they had two daughters together, born in April 1997 and 2005.[28]In September 2008, the couple announced that they were separating amicably after 11 years of marriage.[31]

She began a relationship withNowhere BoyactorAaron Johnsonafter meeting on the 2008 set of the film when he was 18 and she was 42.[32][33][34]The couple announced their engagement at the film's premiere in October 2009.[35]They married atBabington House,Somerset,on 21 June 2012 and both took the surname Taylor-Johnson.[36]The couple have two daughters together, born in 2010 and 2012.[37][38][39]They split time betweenLos Angeles, California,and a farm nearBruton,Somerset, in England.[40][41]

Discography

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She has released three songs in collaboration withPet Shop Boys:

Filmography

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Short film

Year Title Director Writer Notes
2006 Death Valley Yes Yes Segment ofDestricted
2008 Love You More Yes No
2011 James Bond Supports International Women's Day Yes No

Film

Year Title Director Writer Notes
2009 Nowhere Boy Yes No
2015 Fifty Shades of Grey Yes No
2018 A Million Little Pieces Yes Yes
2024 Back to Black Yes No

Television

Year Title Director Executive
Producer 		Notes
2017 Gypsy Yes Yes 2 episodes
2021 Solos Yes Yes 2 episodes
2023 Hunters Yes No 1 episode

References

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  1. ^"Samantha Louise TAYLOR-JOHNSON - Personal Appointments".beta.companieshouse.gov.uk.Retrieved16 September2020.
  2. ^"Film4/MirageCV"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 12 August 2012.Retrieved11 January2013.
  3. ^Peter Wilson (26 December 2009)."Sam Taylor-Wood: somewhere woman".The Australian.Retrieved26 December2009.
  4. ^Miranda Sawyer (11 November 2001)."Miranda Sawyer meets Sam Taylor-Wood".The Observer.London.Retrieved20 December2011.
  5. ^Richard Corliss, "Nowhere Boy: Lennon and McCartney Before the Beatles,"Time/CNN, 8 October 2010
  6. ^"Sam Taylor-Wood, British (1967 – )".rogallery.com.Retrieved8 September2013.
  7. ^"Sam Taylor-Wood & Sir Elton John in" Art and Celebrity "(2003)".Art Design Café.Retrieved22 January2012.
  8. ^"National Portrait Gallery – Portrait – NPG 6661; David Beckham ('David')".Npg.org.uk.Retrieved22 January2012.
  9. ^Hickling, Alfred (17 May 2006)."Sam Taylor-Wood".The Guardian.
  10. ^"Through Coco Chanel's keyhole with Sam Taylor-Johnson".The Telegraph.London. 22 July 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 3 September 2014.Retrieved28 August2014.
  11. ^"John Lennon | Lennon Sign Calmed Director Taylor-Wood".Contactmusic.21 September 2010.Retrieved22 January2012.
  12. ^Burt, Ramsay. Sam Taylor-Wood – 'New Work' – Art exhibition at White Cube November 2004. Ballet Dance Magazine.,accessed 2 March 2017.
  13. ^Barraclough, Leo (27 July 2006)."BFI taps three governors".Variety.Retrieved31 March2024.
  14. ^"Opera Shorts".Sky Arts. 18 October 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 23 December 2011.Retrieved22 January2012.
  15. ^"R.E.M. Work With Sam Taylor-Wood".Clash.2 March 2011.Retrieved22 January2012.
  16. ^Ben Walsh (7 March 2011)."Please put the camera away, darling... – Features – Films".The Independent.London.Retrieved22 January2012.
  17. ^"Daydream by Sam Taylor-Wood for Solange Azagury-Partridge".YouTube. 19 September 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.Retrieved11 January2013.
  18. ^"'Daydream' By Sam Taylor-Wood For Solange Azagury-Partridge ".Wallpaper.25 February 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2013.Retrieved11 January2013.
  19. ^"SAM TAYLOR-JOHNSON TO DIRECT '50 SHADES' MOVIE".Associated Press.Retrieved20 June2013.
  20. ^"'Fifty Shades of Grey' Heating Up With Angelina Jolie Talk ".Deadline Hollywood.8 June 2012.Retrieved8 June2012.
  21. ^Kroll, Justin (9 May 2013)."'50 Shades of Grey' Flirts With Director Joe Wright ".Variety.Retrieved19 June2013.
  22. ^"Gus Van Sant Shot Sex Scene Starring Alex Pettyfer in Bid to Direct 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (Exclusive)".The Wrap. 23 April 2013.Retrieved25 April2013.
  23. ^Zoe Shenton (26 March 2015)."Sam Taylor-Johnson QUITS Fifty Shades Of Grey franchise".Daily Mirror.mirror.co.uk.Retrieved10 May2015.
  24. ^Dumaraog, Ana (16 June 2017)."Fifty Shades Director Regrets Making The Film".Screen Rant.Retrieved16 June2017.
  25. ^Vincent, Alice (11 June 2017)."Sam Taylor-Johnson reveals Fifty Shades regret: 'EL James didn't like me'".The Telegraph.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved16 June2017.
  26. ^Wiseman, Andreas (5 March 2021)."'Rothko': Sam Taylor-Johnson To Direct Art-World Drama With Russell Crowe, Aisling Franciosi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, More — EFM Hot Package ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved10 March2021.
  27. ^Snapes, Laura (11 July 2022)."Amy Winehouse BiopicBack to BlackMoving Forward at StudioCanal with Sam Taylor-Johnson Directing ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved11 July2022.
  28. ^abcKate Summerscale (15 December 2007)."Sam Taylor-Johnson: the bigger picture".The Daily Telegraph.London.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved22 January2012.
  29. ^Appleyard, Bryan (23 March 2014)."Fifty shades of Sam Taylor-Johnson"(PDF).The Sunday Times Magazine.
  30. ^"No. 59808".The London Gazette(Supplement). 11 June 2011. p. 13.
  31. ^Sherna, Noah (20 September 2008)."Art couple Taylor-Wood and Jopling to separate after 11 years' marriage".The Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 25 September 2008.
  32. ^Jones, Catherine (13 March 2009)."Nowhere Boy, the major new movie about John Lennon's teenage years, starts filming in Liverpool".Liverpool Echo.Retrieved2 June2017.
  33. ^"Aaron Taylor-Johnson Responds to Criticism Over Age Gap With Wife Sam".Entertainment Tonight.Retrieved25 March2024.
  34. ^"She's Having His Baby!".People.3 May 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 13 January 2012.Retrieved25 January2012.
  35. ^"Aaron Johnson, fiancé of artist Sam Taylor-Wood, considers himself 'a very lucky man'".The Daily Telegraph.London. 27 November 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved25 January2012.
  36. ^(23 June 2013)50 Shades of Grey film to be directed by Sam Taylor-JohnsonArchived22 May 2014 at theWayback Machine.Shepton Mallet Journal.Retrieved on 18 April 2015.
  37. ^Eden, Richard (7 November 2010)."Sam Taylor-Wood: I'd love another child with Aaron Johnson".The Daily Telegraph.London. Archived fromthe originalon 10 November 2010.Retrieved22 January2012.
  38. ^"Aaron Johnson, Sam Taylor-Wood Welcome Daughter Romy Hero".People.25 January 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2013.Retrieved25 January2012.
  39. ^"Sam Taylor-Wood's baby is another Hero | Showbiz".London Evening Standard.25 January 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 28 January 2012.Retrieved25 January2012.
  40. ^O'Malley, Katie (13 November 2019)."Aaron Taylor-Johnson Describes The Moment He Fell For Wife Sam Taylor-Johnson And Discusses Their Age Gap".Elle.Retrieved2 May2021.
  41. ^"The anti-James Bond: Why kale-growing Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be a 007 like no other".Yahoo Life.19 March 2024.Retrieved21 March2024.
  42. ^"Various - We Love You".Discogs.com.Retrieved10 February2021.
  43. ^"Love to love you, baby - Kiki Kokova".petshopboys.co.uk.Retrieved10 February2021.
  44. ^"Kompakt press release".petshopboys.co.uk.20 September 2008.
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