Peter Greenaway Quotes

I have been directing and involved in producing and the creating of films for quite a while as well as acting. I always think in terms of what the director needs, and not just for this scene but for the film.

I always try to approach a film from the point of view of the director.

The best thing about making films is the time spent making them. When I see works that I've made, I always think what a great time I had making them. The films remind me of that time.

No film ever ends up exactly as you would like it to, but with minor exceptions, THX came out pretty much as I had visualized it, thanks to some excellent assistance -- and a whole lot of luck.

I don't think I've succeeded in making any really good films. There are moments, scenes, whole movements that sing. It has all added up to a cinema of sorts, even though I'm still learning my art.

A lifetime isn't long enough to learn how to make films.

If I have an idea I want to put in a movie, I know what camera will make that look best, and I have ideas for future projects and stuff I'd like to build for those. I think it's just part of how I work, though.

The work of a director can be summed up in two very simple words. Why and How.

I always find film-making a pleasurable experience.

There is no such thing as a good script, onlya good film, and I'm conscious that my scripts often read better than they play.

I prefer to think of film making - you know, um, the sweat is supposed to be invisible. But a lot of sweat can go into making a film. But of course, if you enjoy doing it, you enjoy doing it.

As a filmmaker and film student, I think it's really interesting to hear what a director did and how they figured out how to do things.

I think you cannot make films without choosing everything.

Film work can be very interesting, but it also can be awfully boring because who creates the film? The actors? No. It is the director. It's his piece of work.

Making a movie and not directing the little moments is like drinking a soda and leaving the little slurp puddle for someone else.

Normally as a director, you do look at other films and things that are relevant. But with this film, it became impossible because I became so aware of the camera placement.

All directors make films in individual ways. But the classical kind of view of filmmaking is that you have a script, and it's very linear. There's a script, then you're going to shoot the script, and then you cut that, and then that's the end of the film. And that's never really been how I've seen it.

For me, learning about cinema and the craft and the art of it, through making films with great people, has been such a cool experience.

I have always believed that when a film is being made, it has to be the director's vision.

I am eternally impressed and amazed by what directors do.

A lot of times, I'll resist the temptation to visually define a movie until, one, I really understand just what the movie's about, and two, until I start talking to my cinematographer.

I don't think film is the writer's medium, and so I was interested to see what a director would do with it.

If you decide to direct a film, it's because you have something to say, something to show to the audience.

Of all the things I've done in life, directing a motion picture is the most beautiful. It's the most exciting and the nearest than an interpretive craftsman, such as an actor can possibly get to being a creator.

Actors become actors because they loved entertaining their family by putting on the lampshade and dancing around as a kid, ... That's not my personality. For me, the fun part of making movies is seeing it as a director sees it. I like the architecture of movies. I like knowing what's coming and working to set that up.