David O. Russell Quotes

Well, I just think through your career you go through different phases, and I just got sort of uninspired by the whole studio process of making and releasing films.

I was almost ready to call it quits - sick of doing a job and then being back on the unemployment line and trying to make ends meet. But I loved acting and didn't know what else to do.

I planned on being an English teacher, but I don't know where that went.

I want to direct, produce, and write, learning as I go.

After graduation, I was floundering in L.A., doing stand-up comedy and working in a shoe store in the Valley.

I wish I knew what was next. I got this movie without planning to. I'm really excited to be continuing in film because it's a great job but I have my portfolio and resume for any other opportunity.

I want to do everything. I can never decide on one occupation!

After doing kid's television on CBBC and messing around with eight and nine year olds, there was a period of three years in the middle of that when I wasn't doing anything. I was working as a receptionist and in a pub; I was a cleaner and all sorts of things. All life has its ups and downs.

When I got out of school, I didn't really understand the differences in the different aspects of the business. For example, doing a play - where does that take you versus, you know, concentrating on independent films? You might have one thing in your head, but the things you're doing don't really lead down the right road, necessarily.

Your post-college years should be an exploratory time in your professional life. From your early twenties and on into your early thirties, you should feel free to explore your professional prospects. Keep an open mind, and don't expect to get everything right straight out of the gate. Be prepared to start over once or twice.

The first time I came here to the U.S. to start a career, it was in 2002 or 2003. Since then, it's been so, so hard.

Tough times were when I didn't have a job and nobody called me.

I think everything you do, whether it's low budget things when you're first starting out or full feature films or when you're working with Hollywood, you're always learning, all the time.

I did a lot of short films before doing feature films.

My career, it's been a mess.

I didn't want wrestling anymore; I wanted to not want it. But I couldn't get a job anywhere, which was part of the reason I was homeless. I couldn't get a job pumping gas. I couldn't get a job working at a warehouse, I couldn't get a job at Baskin Robbins, I couldn't get a job anywhere.

You can't make two films at the same time.

After being an actor, producing 'One By Two' was a natural progression.

Going to school in San Francisco, you're not going to meet as many people that are making films as you would if you went to film school in New York or L.A.

I have a Masters and a technology degree already. When I'm not in film or television, my wheels are spinning full time.

I think a big bucket list item for me and Jonathan is to produce some of our own scripted films and series.

Certainly, in college, I had no idea what I wanted to do, I studied art history and had a great time, but I didn't have any sort of career aspirations.

When I was filming 'Premium Rush' in N.Y.C., I flew to L.A. to have a few general meetings. I sat down with Peter Cramer at Universal Studios and spoke about my life and career, and being that I'm such a goof, we spoke about how I really wanted to do a comedy next.

I think the movie industry is a hard industry, but it is not that hard to be allowed to do what you want if you work hard.

When I was working in south films, I never understood how films were made.