James Gray Quotes

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.

I started out my career as a screenwriter and quickly discovered that adhering to a script isn't always the best way to make a film. You have to take into consideration the nuances of the characters and what the actors bring to their roles.

'Sound of My Voice' had been written before 'Another Earth.'

Shooting for Aamar Pratigya' was a completely delightful experience for the 25 days I shot for the film.

The first thing I put down on paper is a storyboard, like a film director.

I enjoy the details. I enjoy coming up with ideas for improving the script, changing scenes and deciding what locations and wardrobe should be - the process of making a film.

Well, I think every film student goes into film school thinking they want to write and direct their own movies, and they don't realize how much goes into it, and what a process it is.

I got a job as an assistant film editor, which lasted for a few years, but I found writing incredibly difficult, and I thought, 'How am I going to make a film if I can't write?' I didn't really comprehend that someone else would do that bit.

I think I would have a better time writing films rather than directing.

I want to write a film. I need to think of the right idea and focus on that; I love writing.

I finished 'Hell or High Water' and started writing 'Wind River' literally the next day.

It took us nine months to write 'The East'; we didn't start writing it on the computer until seven and a half months into it.

A movie is very different when you're writing the script and you're building a story compared to what the final product is.

The biggest surprise about making a movie has got to be the wait in between takes.

When you're on set you don't realize the way something is going to look since you're on the other side of the camera.

I used a video camera, and shot on film cameras at school and stuff, but I had a lot more training as a writer. I kind of live like a writer. I get up and I write. I've done that my whole life.

I was never interested in acting on film or in television, but I was always more inclined to writing and directing, and the exploration of character.

What you see in my script may not be what's in the film. Sometimes it's a very scary thing, when I have to shoot in the morning and the scene's not good enough, and it's only me there, and there's no signal to even call the others and say, think of a better line.

When we were shooting for 'Jatt & Juliet 2,' the director, Anurag Singh did not tell us that this was going to be a sequel. The only brief given to us was that, 'go and have fun on the sets.'

I definitely storyboard, but I only start once I have cast and location. I like to find the world first.

As a writer, being on the set of 'Gravity' was such a surreal experience. It was nice to see them using the technology to translate what we had on the page.

Filmmaking in general is my second career. I thought that writing wasn't practical, so I went to business school and got an MBA, and I worked three years in grant management.

I think, probably, the place that I feel I most belong is a movie set.

It's very rare to watch a movie and think, 'That's the movie we shot!' So many things happen, with edits and things getting cut out.

I really love being in a room and developing work.: being at the table, looking at the script for the first time, and putting a story on its feet.