--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing and directing might be a red…" description: "\"Writing and directing might be a red herring, and really I'm just re-examining what it is to act, to do it well and do it properly.\" — Damian Lewis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/damian-lewis-3773_act_writing-and-directing-might-be-a-red-her_1542979.png" --- # Writing and directing might be a red herring, and really… ![“Writing and directing might be a red herring, and really I'm just re-examining what it is to act, to do it well and do it properly.” quote by Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/damian-lewis-3773_act_writing-and-directing-might-be-a-red-her_1542979.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/damian-lewis-3773_act_writing-and-directing-might-be-a-red-her_1542979.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/damian-lewis-3773_act_writing-and-directing-might-be-a-red-her_1542979.png) > “Writing and directing might be a red herring, and really I'm just re-examining what it is to act, to do it well and do it properly.” [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Exploring acting beyond directing reveals deeper understanding of performance and craftsmanship. **In simple terms:** Acting and directing both require mastery of craft. Key Takeaway Study both to improve your art. Themes craft performance self‑reflection Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - theatre productions - film sets - workshops - creative collaborations Key Concepts method acting directorial vision Questions to Reflect On - How does directing inform your acting? - What does acting teach you about directing? A Different Perspective Balancing roles can dilute focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [It's important to have people around you with enough confidence to say if you are not acting in a good way. Normally, when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-nadal/it-s-important-to-have-people-around-you-with-enough-confidence-to/) [Rafael Nadal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-nadal/) > [must acknowledge, that to act properly is much more valuable than to think justly or reason acutely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-reid/must-acknowledge-that-to-act-properly-is-much-more-valuable-than-to/) [Thomas Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-reid/) > [Us atheist people, we believe we have to act properly and honestly for a moral principle and not because we expect an award in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margherita-hack/us-atheist-people-we-believe-we-have-to-act-properly-and-honestly-for/) [Margherita Hack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margherita-hack/) > [It's very important to be able to act properly. You need financing, and you never have enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martti-ahtisaari/it-s-very-important-to-be-able-to-act-properly-you-need-financing-and/) [Martti Ahtisaari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martti-ahtisaari/) > [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 Damian Lewis > [The best shows succeed because they tap into a national conversation,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/the-best-shows-succeed-because-they-tap-into-a-national-conversation/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [People need revelation, and then they need resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/people-need-revelation-and-then-they-need-resolution/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [ I always resented Tom \[Hardy\] for turning up on Band Of Brothers and getting the girl — in fact, the only girl in a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/i-always-resented-tom-hardy-for-turning-up-on-band-of-brothers-and/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [We had a good time mucking about during 'Band of Brothers' when we were young and single.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/we-had-a-good-time-mucking-about-during-band-of-brothers-when-we-were/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [That's all you can do as an actor - take the best thing available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/that-s-all-you-can-do-as-an-actor-take-the-best-thing-available/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [None of us, remember, knew that 9/11 was gonna happen. We didn't live in a state of anxiety and fear about Osama Bin Laden.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/none-of-us-remember-knew-that-9-11-was-gonna-happen-we-didn-t-live-in/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [Television audiences are ruthless - look what happened to 'The Killing.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/television-audiences-are-ruthless-look-what-happened-to-the-killing/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [I've always had a 'Work hard, play hard' attitude to life - I still do - but sometimes you get involved in something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/i-ve-always-had-a-work-hard-play-hard-attitude-to-life-i-still-do-but/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [If you only do issue-based drama, you can become a boring wanker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/if-you-only-do-issue-based-drama-you-can-become-a-boring-wanker/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [A lot of these American actors have this - in my view - misplaced view that they have to look like Action Man. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/a-lot-of-these-american-actors-have-this-in-my-view-misplaced-view/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [Would I have traded 'Homeland' for anything else? No. Would I trade 'Billions' for anything else? No.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/would-i-have-traded-homeland-for-anything-else-no-would-i-trade/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [There are ways of avoiding becoming tabloid fodder and therefore giving people license to pry into your private life. And there's a distinction between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/there-are-ways-of-avoiding-becoming-tabloid-fodder-and-therefore/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [It was pretty daunting. Normally, I never go to a gym, but before we started shooting, I thought I'd better. I reckoned I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/it-was-pretty-daunting-normally-i-never-go-to-a-gym-but-before-we/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [I'm not good enough to flip in and out of my Brit accent to my American accent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/i-m-not-good-enough-to-flip-in-and-out-of-my-brit-accent-to-my/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [I'm not averse to telling people off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/i-m-not-averse-to-telling-people-off/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) [Explore all 122 Damian Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) ## More Act quotes > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [Teachers' unions don't act in the interest of most teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sal-khan/teachers-unions-don-t-act-in-the-interest-of-most-teachers/) [Sal Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sal-khan/) > [“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/) > [People take years learning how to act; it's a skill, not just a job. If I tried it out and thought I'd be OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/people-take-years-learning-how-to-act-it-s-a-skill-not-just-a-job-if/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [“Don’t turn your face away. Once you’ve seen, you can no longer act like you don’t know. Open your eyes to the truth. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vashti-quiroz-vega/don-t-turn-your-face-away-once-you-ve-seen-you-can-no-longer-act-like/) Vashti Quiroz-Vega > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [I have no interest in watching myself act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wesley/i-have-no-interest-in-watching-myself-act/) [Paul Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wesley/) > [“Don't wait, just sweat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/don-t-wait-just-sweat/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I do believe some people can naturally act and don't know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-arnold/i-do-believe-some-people-can-naturally-act-and-don-t-know-it/) [Andrea Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-arnold/) > [Regardless of what I do, whether I write a book or whether I act or whether I host, I'll always do stand-up comedy because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/regardless-of-what-i-do-whether-i-write-a-book-or-whether-i-act-or/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [On 'Workaholics,' I feel like I'm just hanging out with my buddies being filmed, but on 'Mindy,' I'm around professional funny people who act.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-holm/on-workaholics-i-feel-like-i-m-just-hanging-out-with-my-buddies-being/) [Anders Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-holm/) > [I'm not an artist, and I want to take risks, and when the possibility of failure occurs, it's because the idea is all exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/i-m-not-an-artist-and-i-want-to-take-risks-and-when-the-possibility/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [I don't have a huge amount of gear, but on the software side, I have a number of plug-in chains that act as abstracted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hopkins/i-don-t-have-a-huge-amount-of-gear-but-on-the-software-side-i-have-a/) [Jon Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hopkins/) > [I honestly didn't know that I wanted to act until I was probably 12.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-rae-mayo/i-honestly-didn-t-know-that-i-wanted-to-act-until-i-was-probably-12/) [Miranda Rae Mayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-rae-mayo/) Browse all 1,802 Act quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Writing and directing might be a red herring, and really I'm just re-examining what it is to act, to do it well and do it properly.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Damian Lewis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": 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