Ann Macbeth Quotes

I think independent filmmakers, documentary filmmakers - they are journalists.

The thing about documentary is that you don't really choose your subjects: they come and grab you out of your bed.

Some documentaries are made by people who are driven more by one particular story, or have different backgrounds or ambitions, but I'm always looking for projects that let me be the best filmmaker I can be, and to be stretched and grow further.

There's something about the lack of certainty with a documentary, which is exhausting if you do three in a row. It's nerve-wracking.

I love documentaries. I love the format. I've been doing them for a long time.

So I do tend to do documentaries where I can move in and out of them.

I've been a documentary photographer for much longer than I have been a filmmaker.

I never wanted to be a film director but after this experience I really loved it. I would love to do more documentaries but it's difficult to find backing for them.

There are many documentary filmmakers who have a tough time because they don't really get what they need to do what they want. There are so many people with good visions that should be encouraged and helped. And they will deliver, I'm sure.

Well, this week for example, I was just in Los Angeles making a documentary for German television on whales. They had tried to get me in England where they missed me.

Every single day of making a movie is going to bring new problems.

I would love to have been a documentary filmmaker; I just didn't have the resources to do that.

When you start working on a series, it's almost too much work. It's like a movie a week.

I don't think the subject of a documentary film should be producers on it.

When I started my filmmaking journey 17 years ago, I honestly didn't know what a documentary film was.

In December 2011, I will be opening up my production house, Sharmeen Obaid Films, and aspire to change the way Pakistanis approach nonfiction storytelling. There are thousands of stories to be found here.

I didn't realize that, in doing a documentary, there is this process of discovery. It's not like a film or a play with a set script. It sort of reveals itself.

Everything about filmmaking tries to distract you from that first fine rapturous vision you have of the film.

My background is sociology. Combined with my graphic approach, if I could do some film projects, I think I'd be very good at making documentaries eventually, but people don't think of me for that, of course. But dialogue is something I know I can be good at.

I came from a background of directing behind-the-scenes documentaries.

I love the idea of documentaries. I love seeing documentaries, and I love making them. Documentaries are incredibly easy to shoot. The ease with which you can hear something's going on, somebody's going to be somewhere: That sounds so interesting. Pick up your camera and go.

I've been doing documentaries for about 25 years and want to continue to do that, but I love the idea of working in a different medium. Advertising pushes the envelope creatively, and there is some really great work being done right now, so I'm excited to jump into it.

We set out to capture what was happening, and then we cut that into the series.

It's actually much harder to develop a TV show than I had anticipated.

I think the greatest thing about making a documentary is your ability to just follow the story and the subject.