--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not really a full-time director, I…" description: "\"I'm not really a full-time director, I just like to direct the things that I write because I think I'm going to know it better than someone else.\" — Bi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/billy-bob-thornton-2003_direct_i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-ju_1952422.jpg" --- # I'm not really a full-time director, I just like to direct… ![“I'm not really a full-time director, I just like to direct the things that I write because I think I'm going to know it better than someone else.” quote by Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/billy-bob-thornton-2003_direct_i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-ju_1952422.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/billy-bob-thornton-2003_direct_i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-ju_1952422.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/billy-bob-thornton-2003_direct_i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-ju_1952422.jpg) > “I'm not really a full-time director, I just like to direct the things that I write because I think I'm going to know it better than someone else.” [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He prefers directing his own writing to ensure his vision is fully realized. **In simple terms:** He directs his own work for better control. Key Takeaway Trust your own vision. Themes creativity control authorship Mood confident determined Type personal creative When to use this quote - film projects - screenwriting - personal projects - creative collaboration Key Concepts authorial intent vision fidelity Questions to Reflect On - Do you trust others to interpret your work? - How does control affect collaboration? A Different Perspective May limit exposure to diverse perspectives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Direct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) [Direct Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct-things-3176087/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Director Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director-just/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Going Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-know/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-director-329925/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [If you write, produce and direct, you own things and see them through to the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-vegas/if-you-write-produce-and-direct-you-own-things-and-see-them-through/) [Johnny Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-vegas/) > [There was always a part of me that wanted to be an old-time director. But I couldn't do that. I'm not a pro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-scorsese/there-was-always-a-part-of-me-that-wanted-to-be-an-old-time-director/) [Martin Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-scorsese/) > [As a director, you just have to kind of like just get through the first project before starting on the next one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-michael-stern/as-a-director-you-just-have-to-kind-of-like-just-get-through-the/) [Joshua Michael Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-michael-stern/) > [I've been a writer for years, but it was mainly as a function of trying to be a director, so I just got work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-baena/i-ve-been-a-writer-for-years-but-it-was-mainly-as-a-function-of/) [Jeff Baena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-baena/) > [A lot of the fear about being a first-time director is just starting with a completely blank slate and thinking: 'Is this going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-whannell/a-lot-of-the-fear-about-being-a-first-time-director-is-just-starting/) [Leigh Whannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-whannell/) > [Its always great when a director is just supportive of what youre doing. Theyre not so much critiquing you but giving you more ideas,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-roberts/its-always-great-when-a-director-is-just-supportive-of-what-youre/) [Emma Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-roberts/) > [An established film director can just pick up the phone and say to a star, 'Hey, are you interested in doing a commercial?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-scott/an-established-film-director-can-just-pick-up-the-phone-and-say-to-a/) [Tony Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-scott/) > [I've always wanted to be a director; it's just how my mind has always worked. If I hear music, I see music videos and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-wells/i-ve-always-wanted-to-be-a-director-it-s-just-how-my-mind-has-always/) [Noel Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-wells/) > [When you hear that you're going to be working with a first-time director, sometimes that can be a concern to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferrell/when-you-hear-that-you-re-going-to-be-working-with-a-first-time/) [Will Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferrell/) > [The first-time director thing is just another label somebody puts on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-patrick-king/the-first-time-director-thing-is-just-another-label-somebody-puts-on/) [Michael Patrick King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-patrick-king/) > [I still can't quite believe it. Although there was something about the fact that it was a first-time writer, a first-time producer, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-mendes/i-still-can-t-quite-believe-it-although-there-was-something-about-the/) [Sam Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-mendes/) > [It's a roll of the dice when you're a first time director so I prefer to work with people that know more than I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-madsen/it-s-a-roll-of-the-dice-when-you-re-a-first-time-director-so-i-prefer/) [Virginia Madsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-madsen/) > [I like working with a first time director. I'm more likely to work with a first time director than I am a second time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sarsgaard/i-like-working-with-a-first-time-director-i-m-more-likely-to-work/) [Peter Sarsgaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sarsgaard/) > [ \[on editing of the films\] There is always a question of time, and the director. I've worked with a lot of directors who don't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-gere/on-editing-of-the-films-there-is-always-a-question-of-time-and-the/) [Richard Gere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-gere/) > [Establishing what the vision is and being able to stick to it is the job, and everyone should be on the same page, going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jane/establishing-what-the-vision-is-and-being-able-to-stick-to-it-is-the/) [Thomas Jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jane/) ## More by Billy Bob Thornton > [Robert Duvall taught me years ago. He said, "You know theatre is not real. I don't like plays." You know, he doesn't like plays.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/robert-duvall-taught-me-years-ago-he-said-you-know-theatre-is-not/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [I think I fully commit myself to any role to the extent to which I can. In other words there's some roles that maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-think-i-fully-commit-myself-to-any-role-to-the-extent-to-which-i/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Just the other day, my assistant was on the line with Calvin Klein. Golly, I usually shop at Sears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/just-the-other-day-my-assistant-was-on-the-line-with-calvin-klein/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [I don't have a fear of flying; I have a fear of crashing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-don-t-have-a-fear-of-flying-i-have-a-fear-of-crashing/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Heavy role in the movies that I've done that I have loved and fit my soul; A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Sling Blade, One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/heavy-role-in-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-that-i-have-loved-and-fit-my/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [When I was coming up in the '80s television, if you were on television that meant either you were a young actor just coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/when-i-was-coming-up-in-the-80s-television-if-you-were-on-television/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [The movies I've made about the South, they were my experience and it's something that I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/the-movies-i-ve-made-about-the-south-they-were-my-experience-and-it-s/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Man, I was drowning in sadness. And Angelina, she lifted me right up out of there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/man-i-was-drowning-in-sadness-and-angelina-she-lifted-me-right-up-out/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [I've been largely an improvisational actor for most of my career, except for when I've worked with the Coen brothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-ve-been-largely-an-improvisational-actor-for-most-of-my-career/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [I always have an idea before we even start the movie because if you hire the wrong person, within a couple of days you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-always-have-an-idea-before-we-even-start-the-movie-because-if-you/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [People want the truth but they only want the truth so they can talk bad about you on the blog or on television. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/people-want-the-truth-but-they-only-want-the-truth-so-they-can-talk/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Usually when you're playing a character, you think a lot about their backstory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/usually-when-you-re-playing-a-character-you-think-a-lot-about-their/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [I've lived in California for half of my life. It's weird, everyone thinks of me as this guy who's from the South ... I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-ve-lived-in-california-for-half-of-my-life-it-s-weird-everyone/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [You have to really know what you're saying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/you-have-to-really-know-what-you-re-saying/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [People a lot of times say that you know it must be hard to direct yourself. That's a myth. It's easier to direct yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/people-a-lot-of-times-say-that-you-know-it-must-be-hard-to-direct/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) [Explore all 192 Billy Bob Thornton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) ## More Direct quotes > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [The method of magnitude estimation provided a direct measure of sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-smith-stevens/the-method-of-magnitude-estimation-provided-a-direct-measure-of/) [Stanley Smith Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-smith-stevens/) > [A place has almost the shyness of a person, with strangers; and its secret is not to be surprised by a too direct interrogation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-place-has-almost-the-shyness-of-a-person-with-strangers-and-its/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [The prediction of nuclear winter is drawn not, of course, from any direct experience with the consequences of global nuclear war, but rather from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-prediction-of-nuclear-winter-is-drawn-not-of-course-from-any/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [I'm currently trying to direct my own material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-skerritt/i-m-currently-trying-to-direct-my-own-material/) [Tom Skerritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-skerritt/) > [By the time you get into other kinds of music - R&B, country, or whatever - it becomes something that's romantic. It becomes something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/by-the-time-you-get-into-other-kinds-of-music-r-b-country-or-whatever/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [If you take all the food aid, America is by far the most generous country. If you take the direct aid, we're very generous.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-take-all-the-food-aid-america-is-by-far-the-most-generous/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [They are the gateway for our modern esthetic development, the prophets of the new time. They are most of all, the primitives of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/they-are-the-gateway-for-our-modern-esthetic-development-the-prophets/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [I'm too direct and too unsparingly impatient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-m-too-direct-and-too-unsparingly-impatient/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [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/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Violence is what people do when they run out of good ideas. It's attractive because it's simple, it's direct, it's almost always available as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-s-a-corey/violence-is-what-people-do-when-they-run-out-of-good-ideas-it-s/) [James S.A. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-s-a-corey/) [Browse all 3,391 Direct quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not really a full-time director, I just like to direct the things that I write because I think I'm going to know it better than someone else.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Billy Bob Thornton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-just-like-to-direct-the-things/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Direct" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-just-like-to-direct-the-things/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/billy-bob-thornton-2003_direct_i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-ju_1952422.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/billy-bob-thornton-2003_direct_i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-ju_1952422.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/billy-bob-thornton-2003_direct_i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-ju_1952422.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm not really a full-time director, I just like to direct the things that I write because I think I'm going…” — Billy Bob Thornton", "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": "Billy Bob Thornton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm not really a full-time director,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-just-like-to-direct-the-things/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-m-not-really-a-full-time-director-i-just-like-to-direct-the-things/#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 } } ] } ```