--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For me, writing is a part of directing…" description: "\"For me, writing is a part of directing. It's the first stage of directing.\" — Ari Aster" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/ari-aster-15271_directing_for-me-writing-is-a-part-of-directing-it_1182055.jpg" --- # For me, writing is a part of directing. It's the first… ![“For me, writing is a part of directing. It's the first stage of directing.” quote by Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/ari-aster-15271_directing_for-me-writing-is-a-part-of-directing-it_1182055.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/ari-aster-15271_directing_for-me-writing-is-a-part-of-directing-it_1182055.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/ari-aster-15271_directing_for-me-writing-is-a-part-of-directing-it_1182055.jpg) > “For me, writing is a part of directing. It's the first stage of directing.” [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing is the foundational step of directing, shaping vision before filming begins. **In simple terms:** Writing precedes directing. Key Takeaway Start with writing to guide direction. Themes creativity filmmaking process Mood reflective inspired Type process insightful When to use this quote - script development - pre‑production planning - concept pitching Key Concepts storyboarding vision authorial voice Questions to Reflect On - How does writing influence your directing style? - What part of writing feels most like directing? A Different Perspective Writing alone cannot guarantee successful direction without execution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes when I'm directing, the stage manager will have a good idea and that's okay with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rapp/sometimes-when-i-m-directing-the-stage-manager-will-have-a-good-idea/) [Adam Rapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rapp/) > [Theatre is something that keeps me very alert, and I am actively creating whether I am on stage or directing. In films, I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/theatre-is-something-that-keeps-me-very-alert-and-i-am-actively/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [It's a controlling thing on stage - you're directing the action, getting people to play their role. In real life, I take being kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derren-brown/it-s-a-controlling-thing-on-stage-you-re-directing-the-action-getting/) [Derren Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derren-brown/) > [As far as writing and directing, I'm very focused on the thriller genre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peele/as-far-as-writing-and-directing-i-m-very-focused-on-the-thriller-genre/) [Jordan Peele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peele/) > [I love writing, directing and photography; if I could figure out a way to put the three things together, that's what I would love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/i-love-writing-directing-and-photography-if-i-could-figure-out-a-way/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [I'm going to be writing and directing my own videos, and performing in them too, and I'm super-excited about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-day/i-m-going-to-be-writing-and-directing-my-own-videos-and-performing-in/) [Mikey Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-day/) > [Acting is the most pure fun as far as jobs go, but it can be limiting in terms of freedom of expression. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/acting-is-the-most-pure-fun-as-far-as-jobs-go-but-it-can-be-limiting/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [I think I'll always want to write and direct. I'm interested in producing and helping other people tell stories. But I'm still in love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-carruth/i-think-i-ll-always-want-to-write-and-direct-i-m-interested-in/) [Shane Carruth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-carruth/) > [I spent most of my 20s working as an actor. I started writing and directing because I was frustrated with the types of roles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marielle-heller/i-spent-most-of-my-20s-working-as-an-actor-i-started-writing-and/) [Marielle Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marielle-heller/) > [I certainly was an actor and then I drifted more towards writing and directing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-haden-church/i-certainly-was-an-actor-and-then-i-drifted-more-towards-writing-and/) [Thomas Haden Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-haden-church/) > [The things I want to focus on are music, writing, directing, and developing stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/the-things-i-want-to-focus-on-are-music-writing-directing-and/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [Writing and directing just sort of fell into my lap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/writing-and-directing-just-sort-of-fell-into-my-lap/) [John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/) > [I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing and directing yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-of-like-writing-and-directing/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [ All these teachers and \[screenwriting\] books mean you see movies that have been worked over by more committees wielding more rules, that all originality… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-schrader/all-these-teachers-and-screenwriting-books-mean-you-see-movies-that/) [Paul Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-schrader/) > [I went to film school so I have a writing and directing background, and I think a lot of the material I'm interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/i-went-to-film-school-so-i-have-a-writing-and-directing-background/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) ## More by Ari Aster > ['Hereditary' is unabashedly a horror film. In a lot of ways, it's in dialogue with other horror films. But I do know that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/hereditary-is-unabashedly-a-horror-film-in-a-lot-of-ways-it-s-in/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [My films typically veer towards the darker side, and I enjoy turning things on the audience. I really enjoy working in genre because people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/my-films-typically-veer-towards-the-darker-side-and-i-enjoy-turning/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I have more fun talking about other movies than talking about my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-have-more-fun-talking-about-other-movies-than-talking-about-my-own/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [The joy of making a genre film is that you have audiences in that place, and it's a perfect place to start because all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/the-joy-of-making-a-genre-film-is-that-you-have-audiences-in-that/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I love the horror genre. I consider myself a genre filmmaker. I love genre, but I think there's a certain amount of complacency that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-love-the-horror-genre-i-consider-myself-a-genre-filmmaker-i-love/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I enjoy turning things on the audience. I really like working in genre because people come into the films with certain expectations. They know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-enjoy-turning-things-on-the-audience-i-really-like-working-in-genre/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [The nice thing about a horror movie is that people go in looking to be unsettled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/the-nice-thing-about-a-horror-movie-is-that-people-go-in-looking-to/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I graduated from the American Film Institute in 2010, where I studied as a director, and came out with a few features I really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-graduated-from-the-american-film-institute-in-2010-where-i-studied/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I don't necessarily consider myself a horror filmmaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-don-t-necessarily-consider-myself-a-horror-filmmaker/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I found that the things I am afraid of most are things for which there are no obvious remedies. Like, what do you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-found-that-the-things-i-am-afraid-of-most-are-things-for-which/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [One reason I think I am able to work with such dark material is the fact I was never really discouraged from making this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/one-reason-i-think-i-am-able-to-work-with-such-dark-material-is-the/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [Most horror films are made very cynically, and they're usually made by studios for an audience that they know is there, no matter what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/most-horror-films-are-made-very-cynically-and-they-re-usually-made-by/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [Sometimes you want pain to be acknowledged and not whitewashed - or erased by some exceptionalist point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/sometimes-you-want-pain-to-be-acknowledged-and-not-whitewashed-or/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I like to play with transgression and upending conventions, and I like the idea of rooting genre films in character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-like-to-play-with-transgression-and-upending-conventions-and-i-like/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) > [I know that I put a lot into 'Hereditary', and I'm proud of what it is. Beyond the fact that the film takes its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-aster/i-know-that-i-put-a-lot-into-hereditary-and-i-m-proud-of-what-it-is/) [Ari Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) [Explore all 43 Ari Aster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-aster/) ## More Directing quotes > [Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/anybody-can-direct-a-picture-once-they-know-the-fundamentals/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [That's what I learned most about directing on my own - you've got to build a family, a filmmaking family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/that-s-what-i-learned-most-about-directing-on-my-own-you-ve-got-to/) [Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/) > [I took on the role of CEO, which involves directing the Management Team and overall day-to-day operations of 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-tsai/i-took-on-the-role-of-ceo-which-involves-directing-the-management/) [Christine Tsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-tsai/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [When I see my movies on the editing table, I do think I could have done them a certain way. The satisfaction is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-nadiadwala/when-i-see-my-movies-on-the-editing-table-i-do-think-i-could-have/) [Sajid Nadiadwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-nadiadwala/) > [For me the dream is the freedom to make all the crazy ideas I have in my head into movies. I truly love directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-ozeki/for-me-the-dream-is-the-freedom-to-make-all-the-crazy-ideas-i-have-in/) [Nicholas Ozeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-ozeki/) > [The producing thing has come quite naturally to me. I feel like for directing, I would like to be more technically-savvy. I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/the-producing-thing-has-come-quite-naturally-to-me-i-feel-like-for/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I'm addicted to directing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-shankman/i-m-addicted-to-directing/) [Adam Shankman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-shankman/) > [Making a movie and not directing the little moments is like drinking a soda and leaving the little slurp puddle for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/making-a-movie-and-not-directing-the-little-moments-is-like-drinking/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Directing films is easier said than done. The job needs a lot of sensibility to put many things in place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-sethupathi/directing-films-is-easier-said-than-done-the-job-needs-a-lot-of/) [Vijay Sethupathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-sethupathi/) > [I starred in a Broadway play that was Sidney Poitier's first directing job and the cast was Lou Gossett, Cicely Tyson, Diana Ladd and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steinberg/i-starred-in-a-broadway-play-that-was-sidney-poitier-s-first/) [David Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steinberg/) > [I don't get nervous when I'm directing a play. It's not like acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-seymour-hoffman/i-don-t-get-nervous-when-i-m-directing-a-play-it-s-not-like-acting/) [Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-seymour-hoffman/) > [My dad's a prominent theatre director in Toronto, so I grew up in that world, directing and producing theater since I was a teenager.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gass-donnelly/my-dad-s-a-prominent-theatre-director-in-toronto-so-i-grew-up-in-that/) [Ed Gass-Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gass-donnelly/) > [The hardest part about directing is getting everyone on the same page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-marshall/the-hardest-part-about-directing-is-getting-everyone-on-the-same-page/) [Rob Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-marshall/) Browse all 1,163 Directing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For me, writing is a part of directing. 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