I'm here to make good pictures. If I don't see it, I won't touch it. I may not make a good picture, but I still gotta believe in it!
William WylerRead
A director must push his actors to the utmost limit to get everything possible out of each scene - without being corny or sentimental or going overboard.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A director's role is to challenge their actors to perform at their best while maintaining authenticity.
In this quote, William Wyler emphasizes the delicate balance that directors must strike when guiding their actors. He suggests that a director's responsibility is to stretch the actors' abilities and evoke their full potential in every scene, yet do so in a way that remains genuine and avoids melodrama. The key is to maintain a level of artistic integrity and avoid cringeworthy moments, ensuring that the emotions conveyed are both impactful and believable.
Themes
DirectionActingPerformanceArtAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
During a film workshop, a teacher could quote this to motivate students to push their creative boundaries.
More from William Wyler
All quotes βThe slightest thing can ruin a scene, but you must be willing to take chances.
William WylerRead
Everything a director does must help the story and the performances. Otherwise, it is useless.
William WylerRead
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