Morgan Freeman Quotes

I love writing. Given a choice, after directing for all these years, and if given an army of talented directors, I would not direct at all.

I feel I should defer to the writers and the directors because they're the ones who have the complete vision. They see things through from the beginning to the end. I'm responsible for one small part, so my scope is much more limited than theirs.

David and I got cut out the editing process on that. We were able to affect it more than not. We sent in our notes, we were able to see cuts. We weren't allowed to see dailies and we weren't allowed to sit in the editing room and just work.

With Kubrick and most film directors, they are in complete control, but one can influence them.

Even when I'm not directing, that doesn't stop Owen from having ideas for what I should be doing.

As an actress you can participate, you can be a co-author, help the director. But I always wanted to be able to make the big decisions.

I appreciate film actors who respect the film making process.

There are so many directors who don't like any kind of interaction on set except for producers. I am the opposite.

Working with a great director is wonderful for an actor because it means that you're not forced to take the advice of an idiot.

There are certain directors where you know you're going to be good or you're not going to be there. There are people where you kind of know that if you miss the mark then it'll probably not be in the movie and that's very reassuring.

I think a good director casts a film so that the actors bring a lot to the table.

As a director myself, you really appreciate collaborating with people who are trying to help you find what you need and what you want.

A director is what a director wants to be. If you want to force something, you can fight to the death and maybe get fired, but it's your job to help push things along.

Some directors are like it's their... nothing can change, nothing can move. I like collaborating, even when an extra has an idea, I like to bring to really have collaboration.

Some directors hand over portions of their movie to their head of department to the point where it's like, "I'm not going to talk to you about the costumes, but I'm going to let you talk to the expert." Rather than, "You want to talk stitching, let's talk stitching. You want to talk grade of leather? Let's."

What I try to do is make sure that the directors I'm working with are on the same page and want to do the same kind of films. You can really protect yourself as an actor if you work with really good people. It can hide a lot of flaws along the way.

Movies are certainly a director's medium, so getting the opportunity to work with really good directors is everything to me.

I'm very director oriented.

There are directors that I want to work with and that I admire. You can love a script, but if it doesn't have a good director, it won't be that.

I had one well known director who kept saying, "Now Clint, this is what ...." And I'd say, "I know. I read the script. I'm the one who cast you as the director. Let me show you and you'll correct me if I'm wrong."

I generally don't involve myself in giving the actors some tips on acting. At the same time, I don't do that with the director.

I've worked with a lot of great directors and often times they solicit your ideas.

I really do like working very closely with a director and developing characters.

[on editing of the films] There is always a question of time, and the director. I've worked with a lot of directors who don't mind my involvement. They appreciated it.

James DeMonaco is one of my favorite directors I’ve ever worked with. I think he shoots really well and all that, but the work environment he creates – he makes everyone feel respected, he makes everyone feel appreciated, and he’s a true collaborator.