Paul Dano Quotes

For me, the most important thing is the writing - and certainly the director. But if the writing isn't there, it doesn't matter who the director is!

The movie business is not about the money. Of course, you need money to make the movie. If you have a small budget, adapt yourself. Having $200 million dollars doesn't ensure that you're definitely going to make a good movie. There's so many examples that prove that.

The filmmaker is really important to me: it could be their first film; it's not just about their reputation, but I have to really believe in them.

But I did on projects that I produced, that I directed, that I acted in because it was important. I want to be a filmmaker. I don't want to be an actor who directs, I want to be a director. I want to be a filmmaker. So that's a big difference.

The best actors are always the ones who've directed as well, as they understand all the problems you face.

There are all kinds of directors I want to work with and all kinds of films that I want to do.

You pick projects for the part, the director, and the script. I just want to do different, interesting stuff.

From my experience as an actor, choreographer, action director, and producer, I understand the elements and the dynamics of being a film maker.

I'm a filmmaker; I want to make films. I don't want to sit in a hotel room waiting to make films, and I can control my thing in Denmark; I can make the film I want to make... of course, I have to write a good script, all that, but if I do my job, it will happen.

As a director, I get to have a much broader creative expression than as an actress.

I grew up when I was 15 when I had my first opportunity in movies. I watched every great movie for a year and a half, and since then I've asked myself how I can emulate such artistry. That's really my motivation. I want to do something as good as my heroes have done.

I love the smell of a theater. The old rooms and the carpet and all that stuff. I love to tell stories. Even before I was doing music, I saw myself as a director. So most of my songs come in a play form, you know, where there are characters and stories, so I like to go beyond just the song sometimes.

I don't think Hollywood makes many good films anymore. How many directors can you really trust to have an artistic vision, not a corporate vision or a watered-down communal one?

In cinema, the leading player is the director.

Going forward, I would love to work with directors like Rian Johnson and Joss Whedon; people like that who are doing big films but do have really independent voices. That's kind of what I want to focus on, is always working with people with at least an independent point of view, even if it's not an independent film.

As a director or writer, you have to be so controlling.

I want to act for the rest of my life - and I also want to pursue directing. Watching Bill Condon direct 'Twilight' kind of made me think, 'OK yeah, I really want to do this now.' This idea that you can make an image in your head and be in full control of how it comes out - I thought that was really cool.

I would love to direct one day. I value the relationship that I have with a director so much, and I would be really excited to be on the other end of that relationship.

I love directing, and I will direct myself a few times.

I don't have any specific criteria on doing a drama based on where and what country. If I like the storyline, I'll go for it.

I love the process of filmmaking. I understood that you have to be a writer in order to be a director.

I would like to take up any kind of film that comes my way if I find the story interesting and challenging.

It really doesn't matter whether it's an ensemble cast or it's a lead or what is perceived as a commercial or non-commercial or an offbeat film. None of that would matter, what really matters is the story and who's telling the story.

I want to make movies that I would want to watch as a fan.

I think the atmosphere on set really comes from the material, but also the director.