Director Quotes

There are some things which cannot be learned, though they can be studied. Among them are the laws of art—and the lawlessness of it, as well.

Josef von Sternberg

I think my mother was like a small company which, because things are not ship-shape, keeps two sets of books, one for the auditors and then there's the other one.

Michael Lindsay-Hogg

Come to think of it, Pasadena's as good a place to die as any.

The humble listen to their brothers and sisters because they assume they have something to learn. They are open to correction, and they become wiser through it.

And there is something great about knowing that my only job is to be as happy as I can be about my life, and feel as good as I can about myself, and to lead as full and eventful a life as I can, so that it doesn't ever feel like I'm just waiting around for some guy to ask me out. And most importantly, it's good for us all to remember that we don't need to scheme and plot and beg to get someone to ask us out. We're fantastic.

Directing films obviously there's a ton more responsibility rather than just coming in and directing the action on the film because you're responsible for every little nuance in the film from fingernail polish to jewelry to wardrobe to hair and you're dealing with actors, you're dealing with studio critics, and studios. You're responsible for budget, more responsibility on all fronts, but it's a great art form!

It is because the old have forgotten life that they preach wisdom.

Is it possible to have an endless series of successes without falling on our faces? I suppose it is, but I think it would entail doing the same things over and over again without taking chances, without taking risks or exploring our limits, without finding out what we can and can't do.

My happiest childhood memories are of times in our backyard. My mother had an old clothesline that hung out in front. It seemed like it stretched a mile long, and I loved sitting in the sun while she hung clothes.

Kong, I think represents a classic cinematic case of being misunderstood. And so, tapping into that is a very, very pure way of breaking down his character and then getting into him being this lonely protector, and the sad plight that he has is a totally different thing than we've seen before. Was it difficult? Sure, but it was necessary.

Jordan Vogt-Roberts

I just heard what was said, it isn't strictly accurate by any means, I'm a man who's just been lucky on having wonderful partners, Schoedsack alot more than I did on Grass and Chang, and right down the line I've only had John Ford as a partner, Thomas is a great friend on technicolor, and for cinerama, Fred Waller invented it, Thomas picked up the ball and ran with it, and there's a young man in this audience, Bob Bendick, that most of you have never heard, that did far more of the production then I did. I want to thank all the great partners I've had in my life, thank you. I just want to add I'm still John Ford's partner.

Merian C. Cooper

I know people who say Hollywood broke her heart, and all that, but I don't believe it. She was very observant and tough minded and appealing, but she adored and trusted the wrong people. She was very courageous-you know the book Twelve Against the Gods? Marilyn was like that, she had to challenge the gods at every turn.

The line between seduction and prostitution is very blurred, and deep down, everyone knows it.

Virginie Despentes

The interesting part about making these films is that it's half directing, and half really being a leader, because you have such little time to shoot such a big concept. It's really like a war against time, and your crew is your platoon. You're going as hard and as fast as you can to try to get everything on screen.

Love is the most important ingredient to any meaningful relationship. It is fundamental to true significance. Your quality of life is directly tied to the amount of love flowing in you and through you to others. Though it's often overlooked, love is infinitely more valuable than riches, fame, and honor. They will pass away, but love remains. You can be fulfilled without these, but not without love.

Your trading needs to boil down to rules, money management, and that is it.

If the atmosphere is to be foreboding, you must forebode on every page. If it is to be cold, you must chill, not once or twice, but until your readers are shivering.

Nothing is nicer than diving with your eyes open. Diving down as far as the shimmering legs of your mother and father who have just come back from swimming and now are wading to shore through the shallow water. Nothing more fun than to tickle them and to hear, muffled by the water, how they shriek because they know it will make their child happy.

Jenny Erpenbeck

Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort.

Man, I ain't poor. Look, I give away stuff to the Salvation Army. You can't give nothing away to Salvation Army if you poor.

Charles Burnett (director)

In this Western culture we have all grown up as snow queens—straights, as well as white queers—Western culture is in love with its own (white) image.

We do these movies in six months so there's going to be some stuff that misses the bar in terms of looking super polished. We take what we're doing seriously as if we're doing one of those things. Also, we just go, Look, we're just going to be outlandish and crazy because that's what these movies are. They're intended to be fun. However anybody wants to construe them is up to them. If they want to think that they're bad and campy, that's fine. What I've found in general though is the true fans that love these movies, they love them because they are what they are.

Anthony C. Ferrante

Immigration is not a simple issue. There are at least three major parts of it: there's border security, legal immigration, and the status of the 11 million, 15 million, 30 million … pick a number – it's the status of the folks who are here illegally. People say, 'oh, comprehensive reform is a bad idea.' Ok? But, unless you deal with all three of those you haven't dealt with immigration.

America faces grave threats both here and abroad, and the FBI, in concert with its federal, state, and local partners continues to work steadfastly to prevent and hold accountable those responsible for these threats.

Christopher A. Wray

I make sure that they photograph everything they do. And they have to have a portfolio to graduate. You know, there's no formula for success out there, but what works is: learn how [to photograph], photograph everything you do and you put those photographs in front of people that can help hire you. That works.