The surreal and often unsettling works of David Lynch have been inextricably linked to the landscape of Southern California.

The guy moved here, and it seems like he never looked back but was always looking up.

In a brief but insightful clip from Screenwriting In LA, the legendary director reflects on his enduring love for the City of Angels and the unique creative atmosphere it provides.

Let’s dive in.

David Lynch and Hollywood 

I love it when a director is just totally straightforward.

When asked why he loves Los Angeles and Hollywood so much, Lynch immediately points to a physical characteristic of the city: the light.

“I love the light so much,” Lynch remarks.

To me, this is like a quintessential David Lynch quote. He’s a guy who’s not obsessed with the hikes or the food culture; he wanted to live in a place that inspired him.

For a filmmaker known for his meticulous use of shadow and atmosphere, the specific quality of Southern California sunlight is more than a weather report (of which Lynch did a few); it’s a tool.

And that tool helped him understand the freedom of Los Angeles, which inspired his creative process and led to some of his best work.

Navigating Hollywood

Lynch’s career was built on singular ideas and outside-the-box thinking. So maybe it’s no surprise that he built it mostly outside the studio system.

Instead, Lynch has carved out a unique niche for himself. He described the major studios as being on the “periphery” of his work. Instead, he loved working directly with individual producers or financiers to make sure he didn’t have to change his vision.

But in LA, those studios were surrounding Lynch. Lucky for us, Lynch’s work allowed him to exist “in the city with them” without being under their direct control.

And it’s what got us those “Lynchian” films.

For Filmmakers

If you’re a filmmaker, try to find inspiration from the world around you. Go out and become an expert in where you live, and see if the stories flow out of you.

There’s so much to explore and to tell, you don’t have to be in Los Angeles, but your world does have to have a sense of place.

Summing It All Up

For a director who explores the hidden depths beneath the surface of everyday life, the shifting nature of Los Angeles was the perfect home.

Whether it’s golden hour on a palm-lined street or the freedom to create on the outskirts of the “system,” Los Angeles was a wonderful muse for David Lynch.

Let me know what you think in the comments.