Christopher McQuarrie Quotes

I have considered the directing, actually. Not so much the writing. That is not really interesting, but the directing is really interesting to me.

Directing is more what I would like to get into eventually. Frankly, I feel like it would be a waste if I didn't because I've spent so much time on film sets, and I know how they work, and I love them, and I love leading them. I would like to do that as a director definitely.

I really got into filmmaking through photography.

I don't use film in the way that the great auteurs do. I use film, the camera, to record as effectively and as perceptive as I am able what I want to say through the actors.

I have realised there are so many stories which can be told beautifully on screen. It's important to be part of such films.

I wanted to do a film for a while, but I never found a script that I felt I was going to be the right person for; because if you've never made a film, you're not taught how to make a film, and you feel like you lack skills.

For a lot of my childhood, I didn't want to direct movies because I didn't really know what directing was.

I have stories that I'd like to maybe one day consider directing, but you need a lot of time to write and put it together.

The only way you can learn about making films is by making them, by putting your stamp on the thing.

I discovered that, in order to write a magnificent piece, you should shoot the images because once you are filming, you are writing the script in your mind.

In a movie, you're raw material, just a hue of some color and the director makes the painting.

When I write a screenplay, and when I direct, I always pull lines out.

It's not a film-maker's job to explain his technique, but to tell his story the best way he can.

I'm in awe of directors like the Coen brothers who can shoot their script and edit it, and that's the movie. They're not discovering the movie in postproduction. They're editing the script they shot.

Directing is creating a whole. You're able to combine different elements and create a film that is unique and true to your vision.

There are no great scripts - just great films.

Directing was easy for me because I was a writer director and did all my directing when I wrote the screenplay.

When a scene is being shot, it is very difficult to know what one wants it to say, and even if one does know, there is always a difference between what one has in mind and the result on film.

When you shoot a movie, the camera is always taking, taking, taking and not giving anything back.

On a very small scale, I kind of understand why the directors that I work with do certain things. I don't consider myself an incredible director. I'm not ready to do movies by any means. But, I feel like I can be a better actress now that I've been on the other side and kind of understand the process and more of the technical aspects of it.

I truly enjoy directing. I enjoy looking at the words on the paper and visualizing how to make them come to life.

It's sort of one ongoing process where writing ends and directing starts.

I feel like I'm a filmmaker; I don't feel I need to yell action and cut.

When you direct your first film, you always start by telling stories that you are familiar with.

As the director, I try to go in and know as much as I can about the material. I really try to go in and understand what all the characters are about, what the movie's going to look like.