Shane Black Quotes

I think the most important thing is to, without belligerence, stand up for what want. Argue compellingly if someone tries to change your script. Yeah, legally they can if they want to. But rather than give up, as some of the writers do, and just wail about how your script got rewritten, it's much more difficult - but well within the realm of possibility - to argue very sincerely, calmly, and reasonably from your point of view, such that the director or the producer might decide, "All right, let's do it that way."

I'm never argumentative for the sake of being argumentative, I don't think. And more than ever, I've had to be willing to fight just to get records released, or just to be able to walk away with a little bit of self-respect and pride.

I learned just to be a belligerent asshole, which was really: "You have to get what you need to get out of it." You have to fight for things you believe in, and you have to be smart about how you position it so that you don't just become white noise.

There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.

Obama seems like he tries to talk everyone into what he believes - and that's part of why we elected him, because he's a calm, reasonable guy - but behind that, there has to be some fight. You have to be able to take a few punches and throw a few punches.

I don't like saying 'no' to people, and I'm going to have to learn how to say 'no' more.

I do think that, as an advocate for myself on set, I'm very direct.

Rule number one in negotiating anything with Missy is never try and run me over. Never push me, because I am a very strong woman. I'm nice, but I'm very strong. When it gets down gritty, I can get grittier. Never, ever underestimate me.

When you disagree with somebody else, they often tend to get very defensive. But that doesn't stop me from doing the kind of work that I want to do.

I think what I learned is that just because somebody says you can't talk to them or just because somebody says they don't have an answer for you, you don't stop.

I'm very tough. Come to a council meeting, and you'll see it.

Fine,' Jared snapped. 'But if you try cuddling up to me tonight... so help me, O'Shea." Ian chuckled. ' Not to sound overly arrogant, but to be perfectly honest, Jared, were I so inclined, I think I could do better.

Learn to be difficult when it counts. In school as in life, having a reputation for being assertive will help you receive preferential treatment without having to beg or fight for it every time.

I get the reason that you should be willing to negotiate sometimes. But you also ought to be willing to throw a punch.

But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. I understood it was power. The power to think my own thoughts. The power to believe in myself.

I once heard an exec say, "If you don't ask for it, we can't give it to you." We can't go through our lives just being grateful for everything.

Ask for 100% of what you want 100% of the time.

Being assertive and somewhat really firm has to be backed up with being fair.

Like, I get along with everybody. I respect everybody, but at the same time, I carry myself with an aura that demands respect, too.

But I think that sensitivity is also a good counsellor when it comes to enforcing one's interests.

My record was so bad that I was first rejected by the Peace Corps as a poor risk and possible troublemaker and was accepted as a volunteer only after a great deal of explaining and arguing.

We must keep on trying to solve problems, one by one, stage by stage, if not on the basis of confidence and cooperation, at least on that of mutual toleration and self-interest.

Photographers and people do try to take advantage of you. You just have to stand your ground and prove you're not an easy target.

There is a fine line between assertiveness and being relaxed.

Never argue; repeat your assertion.