Dee Rees Quotes

I'm not in a race with anybody to make the biggest hit movie anymore. I am just trying to tell stories that I can stay interested in for the two years it takes me to supervise the writing and to direct them.

It's funny: as a director, there are movies you make because you're passionate about getting your vision across, and you know that you're vision is different than anybody else. In those cases, you take the plunge, and it works, or it doesn't. You make the stylistic choices based on how you feel about the material.

I want to write and direct and kind of do my own thing.

I love being able to work with other artists I admire, but I have a lot to do on my own before I am willing to make it all about embracing other people.

In this day and age, when there are so many people creating work online and writing their own shows, I wouldn't tell another actor, 'If you can do anything else go do that.' I would tell them to figure out the story they want to tell, to figure out what artists inspire you and why, and then figure out a way you can create that for yourself.

You hear it said time and time again by successful directors: You have to make a movie for yourself. Don't make it for anyone else.

I eventually want to write and direct and produce my own stuff.

We have to make some movies we have passion for, respect for.

At some point, I would like to start creating my own things. If people don't write the scripts I like, then I will do my own.

Persistence is half the battle. That's what I love about independent movies. They don't have to be made. There's no studio with an agenda to set up a franchise like 'Batman' or to make a vehicle for a celebrity actor. My films are made because I love the process.

My big dream has always been to write and create my own things.

I was depressed about the roles that were on offer, so I had to make my own stories.

I just follow what inspires me as an artist and a storyteller, and stay true to myself in my work.

I'm always thinking about stories and ideas, and I have a few I'd like to actively pursue, but as much as I love them, I love the process of creation, and I want to go on and create things for myself, and create new things.

If I bother about the expectations how will I make a film?

I always say that I'm a filmmaker, not a factory. I don't have to churn out films every six months.

I love doing concert choreography because everything is about your vision, come heck or high water. Of course, you also take the blame for everything, but it's wonderful to be able to make up dance for dance's sake.

I have my own ideas when it comes to making cinema. My films should be of my liking and suit my convictions.

I'm always making movies for my audiences, but I'm not trying to meet their expectations.

I only make films when I have something to say.

With 'Haters Back Off,' I'm creating something that I want to make, and I'm not focused on, 'Is this gonna trend, is this gonna be popular?' I'm just focused on telling the story.

It is difficult to make movies on your own terms and also to make a film and convince somebody to have faith in it.

There used to be times when I used to be bothered about box office, director, producer, the actress... If those ticks were marked, I used to say 'yes' to a film. Later on, my focus absolutely changed. Now if a character stays with me for two to three nights, I say 'yes' to the film.

As a screenwriter, you always have frustrations. It's just the nature of the job, and you have to live with it. Your vision is not going to be the same as the director's vision. It doesn't mean one is better or worse; it means they're different.

I can make any film I want to make.