--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think directing and writing are very…" description: "\"I think directing and writing are very different jobs. Obviously, directing is a more social and managerial job. The other thing about directing is tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/charlie-kaufman-2409_different_i-think-directing-and-writing-are-very-d_806555.jpg" --- # I think directing and writing are very different jobs… ![“I think directing and writing are very different jobs. Obviously, directing is a more social and managerial job. The other thing about directing is that it's a very, very pragmatic job, and writing isn't.” quote by Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/charlie-kaufman-2409_different_i-think-directing-and-writing-are-very-d_806555.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/charlie-kaufman-2409_different_i-think-directing-and-writing-are-very-d_806555.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/charlie-kaufman-2409_different_i-think-directing-and-writing-are-very-d_806555.jpg) > “I think directing and writing are very different jobs. Obviously, directing is a more social and managerial job. The other thing about directing is that it's a very, very pragmatic job, and writing isn't.” [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Directing is social, managerial, and pragmatic; writing is more solitary and abstract. **In simple terms:** Directing needs teamwork and practicality; writing is solitary. Key Takeaway Recognize differing demands of each role. Themes film production creative process pragmatism Mood analytical reflective Type industry educational When to use this quote - film sets - screenwriting workshops - creative teams Key Concepts leadership artistic vision Questions to Reflect On - How do you bridge directing and writing? - What skills transfer between them? A Different Perspective May oversimplify the overlap between roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Pragmatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatic/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Schools should take an active part in directing social change, and share in the construction of a new social order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/schools-should-take-an-active-part-in-directing-social-change-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [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 strange thing about directing, for me, was that opportunities arose; I'd had some nice roles as an actor, but it just never happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mathias/the-strange-thing-about-directing-for-me-was-that-opportunities-arose/) [Sean Mathias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mathias/) > [The cool thing about directing is, whatever cool thing works in the scene, it's still making the episode be a great story, and everyone's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/the-cool-thing-about-directing-is-whatever-cool-thing-works-in-the/) [Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/) > [It's a very stressful thing, directing a movie. You have the budget, you have the schedule, you are in certain confines, and you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/it-s-a-very-stressful-thing-directing-a-movie-you-have-the-budget-you/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [The great, rewarding thing about directing is that you're overseeing the whole thing. When you're an actor, you're just one department.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-dillon/the-great-rewarding-thing-about-directing-is-that-you-re-overseeing/) [Matt Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-dillon/) > [The good thing about directing yourself is that you get over yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-slattery/the-good-thing-about-directing-yourself-is-that-you-get-over-yourself/) [John Slattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-slattery/) > [The good thing about directing a screenplay that you've written is that you see the film in your head as you're writing it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-whannell/the-good-thing-about-directing-a-screenplay-that-you-ve-written-is/) [Leigh Whannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-whannell/) > [I would have to say the most challenging thing about directing is the sheer stamina because... as a director, you're always doing something. Someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-urie/i-would-have-to-say-the-most-challenging-thing-about-directing-is-the/) [Michael Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-urie/) > [The main thing about directing is: photograph the people's eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/the-main-thing-about-directing-is-photograph-the-people-s-eyes/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) > [I love acting, but directing and writing have always been just as important. I started to write so many things when I was even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-laurent/i-love-acting-but-directing-and-writing-have-always-been-just-as/) [Melanie Laurent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-laurent/) > [I've always had a flare for the dramatic. I thought about being an actor and I thought about directing, but writing truly became something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marti-noxon/i-ve-always-had-a-flare-for-the-dramatic-i-thought-about-being-an/) [Marti Noxon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marti-noxon/) > [Writing is a totally different brain than directing, at least for me. With writing, you're trying your best to foresee all the problems before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-zobel/writing-is-a-totally-different-brain-than-directing-at-least-for-me/) [Craig Zobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-zobel/) > [I see myself directing, writing, doing my own TV shows and movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsai-martin/i-see-myself-directing-writing-doing-my-own-tv-shows-and-movies/) [Marsai Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsai-martin/) > [Now I'm kind of established as a director, I much prefer directing to writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/now-i-m-kind-of-established-as-a-director-i-much-prefer-directing-to/) [Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/) ## More by Charlie Kaufman > [I think if something resonates, even if it's surreal, it's because it is relatable and I think that that's a core issue for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-think-if-something-resonates-even-if-it-s-surreal-it-s-because-it/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [And then to see the whole movie, you're pretty much waiting until the end of production. And the major lifting in terms of editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/and-then-to-see-the-whole-movie-you-re-pretty-much-waiting-until-the/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Seriously, I don't consider myself a writer. I don't think I have writing talent. But I will continue to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/seriously-i-don-t-consider-myself-a-writer-i-don-t-think-i-have/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I spend a lot of time in preproduction working with authors, and a lot of time in postproduction.: editing, music, all that sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-preproduction-working-with-authors-and-a-lot/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [There's a point I can get to where I start writing character and then through the dialogue, after all of this preparation, the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/there-s-a-point-i-can-get-to-where-i-start-writing-character-and-then/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Sand is overrated. It's just tiny little rocks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/sand-is-overrated-it-s-just-tiny-little-rocks/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Directing is a more pragmatic experience, where you have to deal with the restrictions of time and money that force you to make certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/directing-is-a-more-pragmatic-experience-where-you-have-to-deal-with/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I feel like I want to keep moving toward idiosyncracy. Personal, personal, personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-feel-like-i-want-to-keep-moving-toward-idiosyncracy-personal/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I actually think I'm probably more interested in structure than most people who write screenplays, because I think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-actually-think-i-m-probably-more-interested-in-structure-than-most/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Yeah, once we decided to use that replacement animation, and the seams are a function of that animation, and other movies paint those out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/yeah-once-we-decided-to-use-that-replacement-animation-and-the-seams/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I just try to be honest, because I think that's part of my job description as a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-just-try-to-be-honest-because-i-think-that-s-part-of-my-job/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I love working with actors. I love visual things. I always intended to be a writer who directs and a director who writes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-love-working-with-actors-i-love-visual-things-i-always-intended-to/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [“Why didn't I go in? I'm such a chicken. I'm such an idiot. I should have kissed her. I've blown it. I should just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/why-didn-t-i-go-in-i-m-such-a-chicken-i-m-such-an-idiot-i-should-have/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I try when I'm writing to leave enough "space" for people to have their own interpretation, and not to direct it toward one conclusion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-try-when-i-m-writing-to-leave-enough-space-for-people-to-have-their/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I don't have a style. I wouldn't say I have a style as a writer, either. I know people have said "This is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-don-t-have-a-style-i-wouldn-t-say-i-have-a-style-as-a-writer-either/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) [Explore all 168 Charlie Kaufman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) ## More Different quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. 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They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/one-of-the-reasons-that-i-do-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-pictures-is/) [Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Suffering did different things to different people...Some souls became tempered, unshakable in their faith, while others became twisted and mis-shapen, throwing off all connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ragen/suffering-did-different-things-to-different-people-some-souls-became/) [Naomi Ragen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ragen/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [I always aspired to do something different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayushmann-khurrana/i-always-aspired-to-do-something-different/) [Ayushmann Khurrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayushmann-khurrana/) > [The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-talk-shows-in-the-states-want-celebrities-not-authors-in-france/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [My favorite job is the next one. Its such a gratifying experience getting to creatively keep trying something new and push things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-craig-smith/my-favorite-job-is-the-next-one-its-such-a-gratifying-experience/) [Roger Craig Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-craig-smith/) Browse all 28,697 Different quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think directing and writing are very different jobs. Obviously, directing is a more social and managerial job. 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