There are two different stories in horror: internal and external. In external horror films, the evil comes from the outside, the other tribe, this thing in the darkness that we don't understand. Internal is the human heart.
Film buffs who don't live in Hollywood have a fantasy about what it's like to be a director. Movies and the people who make movies have such glamour associated with them. But the truth is, it's not like that. It's very different. It's hard work.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the misconception about the glamorous life of a film director, emphasizing the hard work involved in filmmaking.
John Carpenter's quote acknowledges the disparity between the fantasy and reality of being a film director. While many outside Hollywood may romanticize the profession, seeing it filled with glamour and excitement, Carpenter insists that the truth is rooted in rigorous effort and dedication. He calls attention to the common misconceptions held by film enthusiasts, reminding them that behind the allure of the film industry lies the challenge of hard work that directors and filmmakers face daily.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about filmmaking, one might say, 'As John Carpenter highlighted, being a film director requires hard work, not just glamour.'
More from John Carpenter
All quotes →What scares me is what scares you. We're all afraid of the same things. That's why horror is such a powerful genre. All you have to do is ask yourself what frightens you and you'll know what frightens me.
It's a very good time for horror. This business certainly has changed, but there's still room for serious horror films. Look at 28 Days Later, that's not a tongue-in-cheek picture.
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Yes, I get dry spells. Sometimes I can't turn out a thing for three months. When one of those spells comes on I quit trying to work and go out and see something of life. You can't write a story that's got any life in it by sitting at a writing table and thinking. You've got to get out into the streets, into the crowds, talk with people, and feel the rush and throb of real life-that's the stimulant for a story writer.