Director quotes

“Lubitsch's method of direction was perfect for me. He would act out the whole scene — and then he'd say, 'Now let's see how you'd do it.'”
Jack Benny

“John Ford isn't exactly a bum, is he? Yet he never gave me any manure about art. He just made movies and that's what I do.”
John Wayne On John Ford

“He taught me practically everything I know, and it was he who first introduced me to myself as an actor.”
Toshirō Mifune On Akira Kurosawa

“Obviously, if a director doesn't communicative a clear, relevant vision of the material, it will not succeed no matter how good the material.”
Tom Skerritt

“If a director sees that an actor is not believable, he needs to help him become believable.”
Tobin Bell

“When I'm playing as an actor, I don't want to interfere at all with the director. I'm just an actor. I'm totally respectful.”
Jordi Mollà

“Directing is the ultimate way to bring together all the art forms I've been involved with over the years.”
Xander Berkeley

“I want to direct films, because I am a painter and a sculptor and I've done a lot of writing.”
Xander Berkeley

“You've got to believe as a filmmaker that if a movie's good enough, it's going to survive.”
Sam Mendes

“I want my two little girls to see a world full of living and decency.”

Victor Fleming

“There are so many elements that make a good film. You need a great director who's driving it.”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson

“When you work with a great director, you realise you are far from being a director.”
Barkhad Abdi

“Part of being a filmmaker is also being a craftsman.”
Andy Wachowski

“When you have directors that are hospitable and open to suggestion, everything is easier, and you have time to explore, but within reason and limits.”
Caroline Aaron

“If you're a normal director, you hope that people will love your film, and it will be released in many countries-and yet, it's a surprise when it happens. ”
Yann Samuell

“I have immense admiration for the writer/directors and director/actors who just seamlessly do both jobs at the same time.”
Jim Piddock

“It's been my heart's desire to direct since I started doing movies. I directed two films in the '70s and '80s. One was a feature-length documentary. But I've still not made my debut with a big film.”
Stella Stevens

“A walking encyclopedia of the business. Away from work, he was delightful, but on the set, a holy terror!”

Arthur Kennedy

“Theatre is really difficult, so it's important that you have a director that kind of understands that and is really hands on.”
Jimmi Simpson

“As a director, it is important to understand the actor's process.”
Chadwick Boseman

“Warren Beatty is a great director. I wish Warren would direct another film right now, because I'd love to do another film with Warren. I think that 'Dick Tracy' is an outstanding film in its own right.”
William Forsythe On Warren Beatty

“When you're just an actor, you do your role, and then you're in your trailer. It's not as hands on as when you're directing. You live and breathe it.”
Jason Momoa

“Filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes.”
Robert Bernard Altman

“Kurosawa never affected me directly in terms of my own movie-making because I never would have presumed that I was capable of that perception and that vision.”
Sidney Lumet On Akira Kurosawa

“Anything you can do with film, I can do with HD.”

Sidney Lumet