---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the art of filmmaking is…"
description: "\"I think the art of filmmaking is something you learn through actions, by doing it, not by learning theories. And as you do it, your mind starts to chan..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/alejandro-jodorowsky-1890_action_i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-somethi_2790125.png"
---

#  I think the art of filmmaking is something you learn…

![“I think the art of filmmaking is something you learn through actions, by doing it, not by learning theories. And as you do it, your mind starts to change.” quote by Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/alejandro-jodorowsky-1890_action_i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-somethi_2790125.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/alejandro-jodorowsky-1890_action_i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-somethi_2790125.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/alejandro-jodorowsky-1890_action_i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-somethi_2790125.png)

> “I think the art of filmmaking is something you learn through actions, by doing it, not by learning theories. And as you do it, your mind starts to change.”

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Learning by doing reshapes perception, emphasizing practical experience over theory.

**In simple terms:** Practice changes the mind.

Key Takeaway

Engage in hands‑on creation to grow.

Themes

learning creativity experience

Mood

inspirational reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- film set
- workshop
- personal project
- skill development

Key Concepts

experiential learning mindset shift

Questions to Reflect On

- How can theory complement practice?
- What practical steps will you take?

A Different Perspective

Theory still provides essential foundation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Filmmaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaking/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [I suppose on the filmmaking side, you can learn how to cram a lot into a small space. But I think that advertising, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-cartwright/i-suppose-on-the-filmmaking-side-you-can-learn-how-to-cram-a-lot-into/)

[Justin Cartwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cartwright/)

> [Good theories of the mind must span at least three different scales of time: slow, for the billions of years in which our brains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-minsky/good-theories-of-the-mind-must-span-at-least-three-different-scales/)

[Marvin Minsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-minsky/)

> [What we need to do, however, is figure out what our best available theories of the mind suggest about epistemological issues, while we recognise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/what-we-need-to-do-however-is-figure-out-what-our-best-available/)

[Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/)

> [While there I began to study the Asian religions as theories of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/while-there-i-began-to-study-the-asian-religions-as-theories-of-mind/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [As I see it, whoever's doing the inventing is also doing most of the learning - and probably having most of the fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchel-resnick/as-i-see-it-whoever-s-doing-the-inventing-is-also-doing-most-of-the/)

[Mitchel Resnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchel-resnick/)

> [“Not learning by doing, but learning by risking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/not-learning-by-doing-but-learning-by-risking/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [Back in scohol, I'm doing so much learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keesha/back-in-scohol-i-m-doing-so-much-learning/)

Keesha

> [With every film that I am doing I am learning new things either about myself, or about filmmaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanya-malhotra/with-every-film-that-i-am-doing-i-am-learning-new-things-either-about/)

[Sanya Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanya-malhotra/)

> [Doing, not learning to do, is the essence of entrepreneurship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-kawasaki/doing-not-learning-to-do-is-the-essence-of-entrepreneurship/)

[Guy Kawasaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-kawasaki/)

> [Learning is like breathing even when I am thinking or doing I am learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/learning-is-like-breathing-even-when-i-am-thinking-or-doing-i-am/)

[Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/)

> [If you understand what you're doing, you're not learning anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-understand-what-you-re-doing-you-re-not-learning-anything/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Every activity worth doing has a learning curve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/every-activity-worth-doing-has-a-learning-curve/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [Reading is learning, but applying is also learning and the more important kind of learning at that. Our chief method is to learn warfare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/reading-is-learning-but-applying-is-also-learning-and-the-more/)

[Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/)

> [I think every single day, I can be doing more or learning something new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-horan/i-think-every-single-day-i-can-be-doing-more-or-learning-something-new/)

[Lindsey Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-horan/)

> [I always think that art is a form of sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-always-think-that-art-is-a-form-of-sacrifice/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

## More by Alejandro Jodorowsky

> [The only thing a master can teach is how to learn about yourself. There are no secrets. They are only techniques to waken yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/the-only-thing-a-master-can-teach-is-how-to-learn-about-yourself/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [I have always thought that, of all the arts, the cinema is the most complete art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-have-always-thought-that-of-all-the-arts-the-cinema-is-the-most/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [My writing routine is everyday I put a record on, the same one since 20 years. Then I burn a stick of incense, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/my-writing-routine-is-everyday-i-put-a-record-on-the-same-one-since/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [If you are great, 'El Topo' is a great picture. If you are limited, 'El Topo' is limited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/if-you-are-great-el-topo-is-a-great-picture-if-you-are-limited-el/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> ['Santa Sangre' is the picture I love the best, myself, because 'El Topo' and 'The Holy Mountain' I made with my head, and 'Santa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/santa-sangre-is-the-picture-i-love-the-best-myself-because-el-topo/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [Surrealism was necessary - essential, even - in the 1920s to bridge the gap between rationalism and the subconscious. It started something important. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/surrealism-was-necessary-essential-even-in-the-1920s-to-bridge-the/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [Life is beautiful, what do you think? In the morning I say, 'Ah, I am alive still!' All my friends die already. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/life-is-beautiful-what-do-you-think-in-the-morning-i-say-ah-i-am/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [One day I was sitting in my own pain, and suddenly all the pain and troubles of the world came to me. I received…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/one-day-i-was-sitting-in-my-own-pain-and-suddenly-all-the-pain-and/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [You can’t have a masterpiece without madness,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/you-can-t-have-a-masterpiece-without-madness/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [It's so weird to be alive and to be inside a body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/it-s-so-weird-to-be-alive-and-to-be-inside-a-body/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [I don't see myself as a moviemaker only, you know? When I can do a picture, I do. But I don't work like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-don-t-see-myself-as-a-moviemaker-only-you-know-when-i-can-do-a/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [I was alone as a child. I lived in fairytales, adventures, Shakespeare. They are the friends, my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-was-alone-as-a-child-i-lived-in-fairytales-adventures-shakespeare/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [Psychoanalysis wants to heal with words and speaking, but sometimes with speaking, you realize nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/psychoanalysis-wants-to-heal-with-words-and-speaking-but-sometimes/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [Words don't heal. Art heals!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/words-don-t-heal-art-heals/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

> [Being essentially a creator, I never set out to shock, always thinking about creating my work and not about the benefits it could produce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/being-essentially-a-creator-i-never-set-out-to-shock-always-thinking/)

[Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

[Explore all 191 Alejandro Jodorowsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think the art of filmmaking is something you learn through actions, by doing it, not by learning theories. And as you do it, your mind starts to change.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alejandro Jodorowsky"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-something-you-learn-through-actions/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-something-you-learn-through-actions/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/alejandro-jodorowsky-1890_action_i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-somethi_2790125.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/alejandro-jodorowsky-1890_action_i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-somethi_2790125.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/alejandro-jodorowsky-1890_action_i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-somethi_2790125.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think the art of filmmaking is something you learn through actions, by doing it, not by learning theories…” — Alejandro Jodorowsky",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alejandro Jodorowsky",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think the art of filmmaking...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-something-you-learn-through-actions/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/i-think-the-art-of-filmmaking-is-something-you-learn-through-actions/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
