--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're always on the search for a novel or…" description: "\"We're always on the search for a novel or a source or an existing screenplay, or writing something ourselves that turns us on. But because films cost a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/debra-granik-4495_books_we-re-always-on-the-search-for-a-novel-o_1442172.jpg" --- # We're always on the search for a novel or a source or an… ![“We're always on the search for a novel or a source or an existing screenplay, or writing something ourselves that turns us on. But because films cost a lot of money to make and a huge amount of effort to get the people to rally, you have to really like it; you can't just semi-like it. Getting to…” quote by Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/debra-granik-4495_books_we-re-always-on-the-search-for-a-novel-o_1442172.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/debra-granik-4495_books_we-re-always-on-the-search-for-a-novel-o_1442172.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/debra-granik-4495_books_we-re-always-on-the-search-for-a-novel-o_1442172.jpg) > “We're always on the search for a novel or a source or an existing screenplay, or writing something ourselves that turns us on. But because films cost a lot of money to make and a huge amount of effort to get the people to rally, you have to really like it; you can't just semi-like it. Getting to 'really like' is the part that takes the minute.” [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finding a truly compelling story requires deep passion; superficial interest isn’t enough to justify the high cost and effort of filmmaking. **In simple terms:** You must love a story completely before investing. Key Takeaway Commit fully to projects you love. Themes creativity passion risk budget collaboration Mood determined realistic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - script selection - pitch meetings - budget approvals - team motivation Key Concepts storytelling filmmaking investment decisionmaking Questions to Reflect On - What criteria determine when a story is worth the cost? - How do you balance passion with practical limits? A Different Perspective Budget constraints can force compromises even on beloved projects. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Effort People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort-people-621546/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Films Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/films-cost-4403860/) [Getting Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-really-532183/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Really Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-like-235743/) [Screenplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplay/) [Search](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/search/) [Turns Films](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns-films-5163732/) [Us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us/) ## Related quotes > [I take the fact that films cost a lot of money very seriously, but once in a while to have somebody say, This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-steenburgen/i-take-the-fact-that-films-cost-a-lot-of-money-very-seriously-but/) [Mary Steenburgen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-steenburgen/) > [There are films that cost a lot of money that might be decent films. But if they don't perform in that first weekend or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-heslov/there-are-films-that-cost-a-lot-of-money-that-might-be-decent-films/) [Grant Heslov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-heslov/) > [None of the pictures I take a risk in cost a lot, so it doesn't take much for them to turn a profit. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/none-of-the-pictures-i-take-a-risk-in-cost-a-lot-so-it-doesn-t-take/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [Never give for getting back, if you do it , you may not really get it back. God is a great observer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/never-give-for-getting-back-if-you-do-it-you-may-not-really-get-it/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [You have been oriented that you must pay a price in order to get somewhere, and in the process, you've come to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/you-have-been-oriented-that-you-must-pay-a-price-in-order-to-get/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [You dream about getting to be a part of really solid projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-johnson/you-dream-about-getting-to-be-a-part-of-really-solid-projects/) [Eric Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-johnson/) > [“All I have is me, myself and I and we are all getting really tired of each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-white/all-i-have-is-me-myself-and-i-and-we-are-all-getting-really-tired-of/) [Carl White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-white/) > [I'm getting really fed up with the way that girls and women get portrayed a lot of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/i-m-getting-really-fed-up-with-the-way-that-girls-and-women-get/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [I know as far as I'm concerned, I'm getting really excited about writing, and I'm taking guitar and vocal lessons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-ross/i-know-as-far-as-i-m-concerned-i-m-getting-really-excited-about/) [Ryan Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-ross/) > [Once I get a project in my head, I start getting really obsessive about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/once-i-get-a-project-in-my-head-i-start-getting-really-obsessive/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) > [“You’re getting really good at your sarcasm”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/you-re-getting-really-good-at-your-sarcasm/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [I'm getting really tired of losing people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-getting-really-tired-of-losing-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's a lot to be said for getting really comfortable in a character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merritt-wever/there-s-a-lot-to-be-said-for-getting-really-comfortable-in-a-character/) [Merritt Wever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merritt-wever/) > [I was just used to being in shape, and getting out of it was really difficult for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mckayla-maroney/i-was-just-used-to-being-in-shape-and-getting-out-of-it-was-really/) [McKayla Maroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mckayla-maroney/) > [“It seems to me there is always pain—or at least discomfort—involved in getting really good at something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-andersen/it-seems-to-me-there-is-always-pain-or-at-least-discomfort-involved/) [Erika Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erika-andersen/) ## More by Debra Granik > [I have, obviously, a very complex relationship with the more industrial side of filmmaking and the machinery that can take an actor or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/i-have-obviously-a-very-complex-relationship-with-the-more-industrial/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [I feel like reality TV has thrown a difficult wrench in the system - on the programming and making side, and on the curating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/i-feel-like-reality-tv-has-thrown-a-difficult-wrench-in-the-system-on/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [I'm someone who's always looking for hope - if there's a ray of hope, a shrapnel, shred, a flake of hope - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/i-m-someone-who-s-always-looking-for-hope-if-there-s-a-ray-of-hope-a/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [In documentary, mostly, people are going to say untoward things; people are going to have gnarly beliefs. People aren't perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/in-documentary-mostly-people-are-going-to-say-untoward-things-people/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [For documentaries, I think streaming plays an amazing role, but it's a problem when the one service you initially relied on to have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/for-documentaries-i-think-streaming-plays-an-amazing-role-but-it-s-a/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [In documentary, you are sometimes burdened, or you feel very responsible for dealing with - I want to say - more complicated themes. Fiction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/in-documentary-you-are-sometimes-burdened-or-you-feel-very/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [#TimesUp is you can't hold it in anymore: Time's up! The doors have to give way. It can't be that every 27-year-old born into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/timesup-is-you-can-t-hold-it-in-anymore-time-s-up-the-doors-have-to/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [My first narrative films developed out of a documentary process - finding someone who was willing to be filmed, watching, listening, taking copious notes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/my-first-narrative-films-developed-out-of-a-documentary-process/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [It's funny: your happiness is contingent on a bigger picture besides just yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/it-s-funny-your-happiness-is-contingent-on-a-bigger-picture-besides/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [You gotta call it out first; it always has to be called out when we need social change, but this is how social change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/you-gotta-call-it-out-first-it-always-has-to-be-called-out-when-we/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [There has to be a continuation of the communal experience of filmgoing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/there-has-to-be-a-continuation-of-the-communal-experience-of-filmgoing/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [I'm always searching to learn more about our large and diverse country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/i-m-always-searching-to-learn-more-about-our-large-and-diverse-country/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [The struggle to have a living wage doesn't come easy. You're ready to work, you want it, you seek it... but it's not like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/the-struggle-to-have-a-living-wage-doesn-t-come-easy-you-re-ready-to/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [It's been a pleasure to see female comedians be prominent and flourish - like Kate McKinnon's Rudy Giuliani impressions, which are uncanny in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/it-s-been-a-pleasure-to-see-female-comedians-be-prominent-and/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) > [I swing with a lot of torque from non-fiction to fiction, and I really like that place in between.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/i-swing-with-a-lot-of-torque-from-non-fiction-to-fiction-and-i-really/) [Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) [Explore all 110 Debra Granik quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. Krebs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-k-krebs/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We're always on the search for a novel or a source or an existing screenplay, or writing something ourselves that turns us on. But because films cost a lot of money to make and a huge amount of effort to get the people to rally, you have to really like it; you can't just semi-like it. 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