James Ivory Quotes

Well, you don't make any demands to Steven Spielberg.

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

The only person who has artistic control is the director, and 'director' is how you spell God in Hollywood.

In every shoot, between the actor and the director there is manipulation. I'm not saying that negatively. It's healthy.

It's all about who's where on the food chain. When I'm the story editor, I expect my writers to follow my vision. When I'm working for another editor, I'm obliged to follow their vision.

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

In the movies, the writer is just the servant, the employee.

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 think any director is intimidating.

As a second-time director you don't want to be working with someone who's a star that wants you to get down and kiss their feet.

I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any conflict with any directors because I know they're the boss.

I wanted to work on a cable show and with a writer/director because that's a much more fulfilling and freeing experience, as an actor.

I know when it comes to TV, the writer is king, but to me, the filmmaker is king.

I don't have much power to make many films, but I do have the power in what roles I choose.

I wanted to try directing.

I follow the director's lead because they generally know more about the big picture, but I also trust that the director will give me enough freedom to play.

I learned that you have to say that you're a filmmaker. You're not a screenwriter; you're not a director for hire. You've got to take charge. You're a filmmaker, and you're going to make a film.

There's no way I see myself as a director. Direction is far too creative.

What's certain is that ranking powerful people is inherently self-defeating. For starters, true potentates know who they are without being told, and they have no need to announce it.

I don't get to make many features. It's not like that's something I can just snap my fingers and make happen.

I learned a lot from Direk Brillante Mendoza and Bing Lao.

Nothing really changes: the individual's ability to project his message or throw his weight around remains minuscule.

Actors don't request what scenes to be written in. That's just not how it works.

I believe in the power that a casting director has.

Hollywood is a double feeling. Love and hate. With a talented film director, I cannot resist. They are such charming and intelligent people. But each time, it is very difficult to deal with other people. I have to satisfy other people. The director or the producer. Not me. I have to satisfy myself. But then I have to deliver my music.