Madi Diaz Quotes

I have not given much credence to reviews of my films. Sometimes they're wrong, but it didn't matter to me.

Picasso said once when being interviewed that one should not be one's own connoisseur.

Either you live by the barometer of the music critics, or you live by your own. I choose the latter.

You have to accept as an architect to be exposed to criticism. Architecture should not rely on full harmony.

I have to live authentically at all times. And that's part of what makes me an artist. I'm not scared to do that.

I am sure it is one's duty as a teacher to try to show boys that no opinions, no tastes, no emotions are worth much unless they are one's own. I suffered acutely as a boy from the lack of being shown this.

Every bit of me is devoted to love and art. And I aspire to try to be a teacher to my young fans who feel just like I felt when I was younger. I just felt like a freak. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm trying to liberate them, I want to free them of their fears and make them feel that they can make their own space in the world.

I think 'Sightseers' was a bit of an epiphany, a massive learning curve, and it gave me loads of confidence to go out there, and also to create a female character which is completely unexpected and defies convention.

First and foremost, you have to make the movie for yourself. And that's not to say, to hell with everyone else, but what else have you got to go on but your own taste and judgment?

Allow the artist to finish the piece of work before you critique it.

My university teacher and mentor Kenneth Arrow remembers me as a student who asked good questions. Although I had not previously thought of myself in that way, on reflection I think that Arrow was right.

The true teacher defends his pupils against his own personal influence. He inspires self-distrust. He guides their eyes from himself to the spirit that quickens him. He will have no disciple.

My music asks people to think critically, so how can I get upset when people think about me critically?

The system did not want me to make 'Go.' And I sort of stood up to the system and made the movie I wanted to make, and the fact that I did that and I'm proud of the movie means I'm really proud of myself when I look back on that.

I always think about stuff I learned, in any scene. Juilliard taught me a lot.

My 'Glee' experience taught me - to a certain degree - not to listen too much to fan backlash, at least to negative things. Once you have the job, you have the job, and you've got to do it.

A self-defined challenge is an irresistible teacher.

The only thing that makes sense to me that I've learnt over the years is knocking tunes together.

As many have said before me, artists are creative people who can't be dragged into the politics of nations. I have always made a concerted effort to maintain this standard for myself.

I know first-hand what it's like to be judged and to have someone criticise your creativity, your hard work and your art.

With my first three albums I did everything on my own. It was what I was used to and where I felt comfortable. I would write the lyrics and music and hide the songs from everyone until I felt confident enough for anyone to hear them.

My films are as much for the people as they are for me. The reception affects me, but doesn't change me as a person. That's important.

I always wanted everyone to love me, probably because I didn't love myself enough. But now I realize that when you're an artist, you're making the music that's in your head and in your heart, and not for any other reason.

It's a good thing to learn early that other people's opinions do not matter, unless they happen to be true.

I don't ever try to anticipate my audience. I just write the songs I want to write, and hope people like 'em.