--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a director, I never feel that I have…" description: "\"As a director, I never feel that I have the answers.\" — Diane Paulus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/diane-paulus-16351_answers_as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-t_2324866.png" --- # As a director, I never feel that I have the answers. ![“As a director, I never feel that I have the answers.” quote by Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/diane-paulus-16351_answers_as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-t_2324866.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/diane-paulus-16351_answers_as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-t_2324866.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/diane-paulus-16351_answers_as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-t_2324866.png) > “As a director, I never feel that I have the answers.” [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A director acknowledges uncertainty and the collaborative nature of creation, emphasizing that answers emerge through collective effort rather than solitary authority. **In simple terms:** Directors admit they lack all answers, relying on collaboration. Key Takeaway Embrace collaborative problem‑solving. Themes leadership creativity humility collaboration Mood thoughtful inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - stage productions - team brainstorming - creative workshops Key Concepts theatre process design Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance guidance with openness? - When should a director assert authority? A Different Perspective Relying on others can dilute vision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) ## Related quotes > [When you're a director you always feel weird with another director watching over your shoulder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fede-alvarez/when-you-re-a-director-you-always-feel-weird-with-another-director/) [Fede Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fede-alvarez/) > [I admired Stephen Daldry very much; I think he's a brilliant director, and also, I feel close to him because he has a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-von-sydow/i-admired-stephen-daldry-very-much-i-think-he-s-a-brilliant-director/) [Max von Sydow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-von-sydow/) > [As a director, I have to feel realism from actors, and they can't be plastic. The words for me are secondary, but the chemistry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-wiseau/as-a-director-i-have-to-feel-realism-from-actors-and-they-can-t-be-3/) [Tommy Wiseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-wiseau/) > [One of my favorite things about Telluride is because it's so small, the directors are really there for each other. You look at another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/one-of-my-favorite-things-about-telluride-is-because-it-s-so-small/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [You can't just go in there and open your mouth until the cast and director feel comfortable with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-henley/you-can-t-just-go-in-there-and-open-your-mouth-until-the-cast-and/) [Beth Henley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-henley/) > [To go into more specifics regarding actors, whether they're from Korea or the U.S., all actors know if they are loved by the director.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-jee-woon/to-go-into-more-specifics-regarding-actors-whether-they-re-from-korea/) [Kim Jee-woon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-jee-woon/) > [With movies, so much of it is, 'Who is the human being that is going to be directing it?' Because it is their medium.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annette-bening/with-movies-so-much-of-it-is-who-is-the-human-being-that-is-going-to/) [Annette Bening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annette-bening/) > [As a director, I have to feel realism from actors, and they can't be plastic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-wiseau/as-a-director-i-have-to-feel-realism-from-actors-and-they-can-t-be-2/) [Tommy Wiseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-wiseau/) > [When it's a good director, you can feel when they trust you when they cast you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/india-eisley/when-it-s-a-good-director-you-can-feel-when-they-trust-you-when-they/) [India Eisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/india-eisley/) > [ \[The director\] has to, I feel, be one step back, not only from cinema, but also from politics and all these issues in order… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-leone/the-director-has-to-i-feel-be-one-step-back-not-only-from-cinema-but/) [Sergio Leone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-leone/) > [As a director, I have to feel realism from actors, and they can't be plastic. The words for me are secondary, but the chemistry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-wiseau/as-a-director-i-have-to-feel-realism-from-actors-and-they-can-t-be/) [Tommy Wiseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-wiseau/) > [I'm like a movie director, so wherever I feel that I need to go over this type of beat, that's what I'm going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-m-like-a-movie-director-so-wherever-i-feel-that-i-need-to-go-over/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) > [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/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [A successful director is someone who has the combination of skills that you can learn, but there's also an intuitive sensibility that they bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-heinrichs/a-successful-director-is-someone-who-has-the-combination-of-skills/) [Rick Heinrichs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-heinrichs/) ## More by Diane Paulus > [I am always looking for what piece, what artists, what playwrights, what directors, what subject matter is going to catalyze an audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/i-am-always-looking-for-what-piece-what-artists-what-playwrights-what/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [We're a depraved civilization. All this technology, all the computer games and the iPhones... nobody will sit for art anymore. What a dismaying state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/we-re-a-depraved-civilization-all-this-technology-all-the-computer/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [Im always interested in looking - historically - at how theater can animate history and how all of that can make us engage with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/im-always-interested-in-looking-historically-at-how-theater-can/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [Creativity and the world of the imagination - the beauty of what we see as a child and the kind of play that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/creativity-and-the-world-of-the-imagination-the-beauty-of-what-we-see/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [The idea of making audiences feel like they matter, that the theatre matters, and that they're a partner in the event—that's what fuels me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/the-idea-of-making-audiences-feel-like-they-matter-that-the-theatre/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [Creativity is a form of knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/creativity-is-a-form-of-knowledge/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [I think every theater in America wants a younger audience... and you can't just hope to have a younger audience, you have to program…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/i-think-every-theater-in-america-wants-a-younger-audience-and-you-can/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [You have to think about why you're asking an audience to come to the theater. 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It's actually very liberating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/i-listen-to-music-i-read-scripts-and-i-know-pretty-intuitively-if-i/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [I knew ART was was going to give me this opportunity to expand my role as a director and finally let me have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/i-knew-art-was-was-going-to-give-me-this-opportunity-to-expand-my/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [I'm always interested in working with people who are good team players - that are selfless that way in their interests and dedication to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/i-m-always-interested-in-working-with-people-who-are-good-team/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) > [I think in our culture there's been a tendency for people to blame the audience. There is a tendency in our industry to say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/i-think-in-our-culture-there-s-been-a-tendency-for-people-to-blame/) [Diane Paulus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) [Explore all 40 Diane Paulus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a director, I never feel that I have the answers.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diane Paulus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-the-answers/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Answers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-the-answers/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/diane-paulus-16351_answers_as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-t_2324866.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/diane-paulus-16351_answers_as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-t_2324866.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/diane-paulus-16351_answers_as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-t_2324866.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As a director, I never feel that I have the answers.” — Diane Paulus", "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": "Diane Paulus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-paulus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As a director, I never feel...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-the-answers/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-paulus/as-a-director-i-never-feel-that-i-have-the-answers/#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 } } ] } ```