Alan Ball Quotes

In films, I do programming I can never do in television. I have fun. Both mediums are content-led, but they are so diverse in their psychology that they cannot have a meeting point.

There are a lot of similarities with film and TV, but also a lot of differences, especially in the way they film stuff.

I love doing television; it's such a brilliant way to tell a story over six hours rather over the two hours of doing a movie.

When you're making a television show, it's about the story and arc of the show rather than any particular episode or director.

There's no difference between movies and television. None at all. Except in a lot of cases, television's much better than movies.

The so-called commercialism includes elements like story, plots, rhythms and large big scenes.

Having spent a lot of time on sets, I was really interested in the overall storytelling aspect of shows and projects.

I've made a couple of films that were a little too wide and non-specific - like 'The Doctor.'

Great writing makes great television.

Obviously, a theatrical masterpiece needs more than a plot; many television shows are nothing but plot, and it is doubtful that they will stand the test of time. But I also don't think that making fun of plot or acting like we're all somehow 'above' structure is such a good idea.

I love the visual medium of film and TV. I love the science of it, working with the sound and the lighting and every aspect.

When you're doing the work, film and TV are exactly the same. TV is just film in reduced pieces.

You could make a film out of just about anything so long as there is a clear vision about the story.

Nowadays, kids know how a programme like Merlin is made and how it works. But the show just seems to grow in popularity the more it goes on.

Hollywood has its own way of telling stories. I was just telling stories that I was familiar with. And it's what I want to do in the future: I want to take my audio cinema and put it on the screen.

Whether I'm acting or making it, at the end of the day it's telling the story; action, drama. You want the audience to feel it - the story, the action, the scene, or a particular shot. I just keep working on crafting my art, on how to make action movies.

Network television is all talk. I think there should be visuals on a show, some sense of mystery to it, connections that don't add up.

The technology available for film-making now is incredible, but I am a big believer that it's all in the story.

Films are all about decisions, and that's what I love.

I don't understand the whole testing-numbers thing. It is not how I want to make movies.

The quality of TV drama nowadays is getting better and better. They've had to invent a new term for it: 'high-end television.'

Film-makers must decide what story to tell and how to tell it.

When you make a film you usually make a film about an idea.

I have to tell you, TV is an incredibly difficult medium. The most challenging show to do is the hour long dramedy. It's a very tricky format.

I'd just like to be in films that I would like to see.