Barkhad Abdi Quotes

I've gotten to work with some wonderful directors and people who have been great teachers to me.

I've never directed, but it must be humbling.

It's cool for me because I'm a director, but I'm also a teacher. I'm a lover of cinema, and I love working with people who are hungry and have the energy to really do better work.

Shadowing is really a great way to learn how the entire TV-making mechanism works. I had the distinct pleasure of shadowing the gifted and talented Allison Anders, who taught me a great deal about the importance of collaboration and trusting the talent around you.

You learn from all directors, all these guys.

For me, the director is the most important thing. He is steering the boat. If you don't trust him, you won't be able to give him your all.

I think being directed and mentored by someone as inspirational as Paul Feig not only improves my performance but, as a whole, makes it what it is.

The best thing about working with Tahira bhabhi is her positivity and clarity about what she wants from you as an artist, an actor, and even as a brother-in-law. I think she is very clear about life, and that's what I love about her.

Mel is a great director because he's not just a director, he's an actor, so he knows how to direct actors. I loved working with him. He's great as a director. He's so intelligent. He's generous. I really loved him.

I'm learning more and more to share creativity with the crew and actors. A film crew is more powerful if you listen to them, but it does make my job more tough because I have to listen.

I like messing around, and I like working with artists who I respect.

My role now is as an artist and as a mogul to inspire and give others opportunities.

I learn a lot from every director that I work with. I sit on set and watch them, every one.

I have great respect for directors who know what they're doing.

A great director or leader knows his people, creates a great team, and then makes a great movie that can influence millions more than the readers of his column.

I've worked with many directors, good ones and bad ones. So if I have a chance to work the good ones, I better put myself in their hands, and trust them, because that's my big opportunity to be different, and to be better than usual.

There are lots of good directors I would like to work with; I want to be inspired and challenged by them.

I love working with young people and young filmmakers, and I love working on first films. I think it's cool. It's fun. I just take it as it comes.

I have been lucky enough to work with people who inspire me, who I admire and respect, and who have made films - before working with me - that I continually return to over the years because they are so good.

I haven't worked with a director who is a crazy person at all.

I would love to just keep working with really great directors who really inspire me.

Working with directors like Gurinder Chadha was a learning experience for me.

Working with Subhash Ghai is always a different experience. Subhashji is my mentor. I'm always glad to work with him.

Haseeb Hassan is a fantastic director. He really understands characters and their relationships. He always gives sound advice and direction.

I am so thankful to work with Shashank Khaitan because of the kind of person that he is. One of the things I am most thankful for is to have Shashank as my first director and as a mentor.