Sofia Coppola did not start her career as a director. She started in the fashion industry before releasing her acclaimed films. Once her film directing career started she released film after film. She is most known for Lost in Translation (2003), Marie Antoinette (2006), and the Bling Ring (2013).
Coppola is a household name mainly because of her film, Lost in Translation, starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. She won an academy award for best original screen write for the film.
Her first project was a fourteen minute black and white short named Lick the Star (1998). Although not a feature length production, Lick the Star contains many of the visual motifs and distinct directorial choices that would define Coppola’s work in the years to come.
The film explores the agony of adolescence and the ever changing social status of middle school girls. It is narrated by a young female student returning from a short absence to find the queen of seventh grade, named Chloe, has taken reign over her social group. The girls have plotted to slip rat poison into the lunches of fellow male students; inspired by the V.C. Andrews novel ‘Flowers in the Attic’. As the plan takes off, so does the quick demise of Chloe’s social status. After a misunderstanding and a game of telephone dethrone her, she becomes isolated and attempts suicide.
There are several instances of scenes and shots in Lick the Star which Coppola carries over into her feature length films. She seems drawn to stories centered on characters longing for a sense of acceptance and need for emotional stability during difficult transitions in their lives.
Coppola frequently uses a car to move characters along while physically along through the film while internally they are at a cross roads. For example, in the opening shot of Lick the Star, a young girl gazes out of a car window watching the scenery pass by as she contemplates the dread of returning to school after missing several days. She knows in middle school things change rapidly and wonders what will be in store for her.
Similar shots of young people gazing out of car windows and contemplating their circumstances can be found in many of Coppola’s other works. In Somewhere, the character of Cleo looks out the window while her father is in the background looking forward. It demonstrates their distance and need to reconnect.
Further use of separating a character for a visual allusion to their emotions are bathtub scenes. The intimate setting of these shots only enhance our awareness of the vulnerability of the characters internal well-being. The point of view of the camera is also important as we are looking down on the subjects. In Lost in Translation we see the defeated Chloe’s attempt at suicide after taking pills and sliding down into the bathtub in Lick the Star. the point of view allows for the audience to truly understand the emotion the characters express.
Sophia Coppola has made a name for herself in the industry after separating herself from her famous father, who directed The Godfather and its sequels. She put her distinctive visual style into the filmmaking world and did not look back. 
Her work is a beautiful symphony of lighting, costuming, and interesting angles. Coppola a world of engagement surrounding each of her works. She is a true artist with her work and I look forward to witnessing her future work.
I always find it impressive when someone is able to escape the shadow of their famous parent and establish themselves as a respected figure in their own right, especially if they do this in the same field their parent worked in. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of Coppola’s movies, but I’ve heard of Lost in Translation so I’ll probably check that out at some point. Also, the plot of Lick the Star kind of reminds me of Heathers.