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Cutting Quote by Alejandro Amenabar

“For my first movie, I think my first cut was like three hours, because when you first direct a movie, you want to keep everything. But I'm not one of those directors who falls in love with the stuff they've done. Already when I'm doing my first cut, I'm willing to cut out everything that is…” quote by Alejandro Amenabar
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“For my first movie, I think my first cut was like three hours, because when you first direct a movie, you want to keep everything. But I'm not one of those directors who falls in love with the stuff they've done. Already when I'm doing my first cut, I'm willing to cut out everything that is necessary.”

Alejandro Amenabar

About This Quote

Source Interview: Film Director Interview, 2015

A director must learn to discard excess footage early to focus on essential storytelling.

In simple terms: Cutting early sharpens the film.

Key Takeaway

Embrace editing discipline early.

Themes

filmmaking editing discipline

Mood

reflective determined

Type

advice process

When to use this quote

  • first cut
  • film editing
  • creative decision making

Key Concepts

storytelling creative restraint process optimization

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you decide what is essential?
  • When does cutting become harmful?
A Different Perspective

Over‑editing can strip needed nuance.

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