--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before I start directing a show, I try to…" description: "\"Before I start directing a show, I try to spend a few weeks hanging around the set, getting to know the crew and talking to the actors about how they l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eric-stoltz-14837_actors_before-i-start-directing-a-show-i-try-to_1506328.jpg" --- # Before I start directing a show, I try to spend a few… ![“Before I start directing a show, I try to spend a few weeks hanging around the set, getting to know the crew and talking to the actors about how they like to work. Who is fussy? Who is left-handed? Who wants to go home early, and who is the perfectionist?” quote by Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eric-stoltz-14837_actors_before-i-start-directing-a-show-i-try-to_1506328.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eric-stoltz-14837_actors_before-i-start-directing-a-show-i-try-to_1506328.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eric-stoltz-14837_actors_before-i-start-directing-a-show-i-try-to_1506328.jpg) > “Before I start directing a show, I try to spend a few weeks hanging around the set, getting to know the crew and talking to the actors about how they like to work. Who is fussy? Who is left-handed? Who wants to go home early, and who is the perfectionist?” [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes immersing oneself in a production environment to understand team dynamics before leading. **In simple terms:** Get to know the crew before directing. Key Takeaway Build rapport and tailor leadership style. Themes leadership teamwork preparation communication Mood reflective strategic Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - film sets - theatre productions - creative projects - startup teams Key Concepts directing team dynamics personalization management Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance observation with action? - What signs indicate a crew’s preferred workflow? A Different Perspective Time spent observing may delay project start. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Left handed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left-handed/) [Perfectionist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionist/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) ## Related quotes > [I've never been a girly-girl, never drawn to things that are fussy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-wasson/i-ve-never-been-a-girly-girl-never-drawn-to-things-that-are-fussy/) [Erin Wasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-wasson/) > [I am fussy, about my diet and straining my voice. I know, sounds a bit over the top. But I'm not as bad as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-jenkins/i-am-fussy-about-my-diet-and-straining-my-voice-i-know-sounds-a-bit/) [Katherine Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-jenkins/) > [I'm not fussy about the medium I work in. I'll do television radio, you know. I have to, because that's the only way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rufus-sewell/i-m-not-fussy-about-the-medium-i-work-in-i-ll-do-television-radio-you/) [Rufus Sewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rufus-sewell/) > [All kids are fussy eaters - they go through phases where they'll only eat red food or they just want to eat porridge. With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/all-kids-are-fussy-eaters-they-go-through-phases-where-they-ll-only/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [I prefer clothes that are simple, well-cut, but with one major extravagance. Something with the sleeves, with the skirt, but nothing too fussy, too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolina-herrera/i-prefer-clothes-that-are-simple-well-cut-but-with-one-major/) [Carolina Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolina-herrera/) > [As I've got older, I've got slightly more fussy. You've got less time; you need to use it wisely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/as-i-ve-got-older-i-ve-got-slightly-more-fussy-you-ve-got-less-time/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [The silliness-much of which is clearly intentional-is blended with some genuine grandeur. The Pixar touch is evident in the precision of the visual detail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-o-scott/the-silliness-much-of-which-is-clearly-intentional-is-blended-with/) [A. O. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-o-scott/) > [I'm very fussy. I'm very hard to please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-statham/i-m-very-fussy-i-m-very-hard-to-please/) [Jason Statham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-statham/) > [I've worried more and more as the years have gone on. The more you're seen to be doing well, the more stress there is.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-macfadyen/i-ve-worried-more-and-more-as-the-years-have-gone-on-the-more-you-re/) [Matthew Macfadyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-macfadyen/) > [On the whole, I think women wear too much and are to fussy. You can't see the person for all the clutter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/on-the-whole-i-think-women-wear-too-much-and-are-to-fussy-you-can-t/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [I distrust Great Men... I believe in aristocracy, though... Its members are to be found in all nations and classes, and all through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/i-distrust-great-men-i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-its-members-are/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [The prayer of the feeblest saint who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan. The very powers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/the-prayer-of-the-feeblest-saint-who-lives-in-the-spirit-and-keeps/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Glamour is fun! Spending time to get ready isn't about being fussy; it's about taking care of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becki-newton/glamour-is-fun-spending-time-to-get-ready-isn-t-about-being-fussy-it/) [Becki Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becki-newton/) > [I do not know what dust is, I do not know where it comes from, I only know that it settles on things. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivor-cutler/i-do-not-know-what-dust-is-i-do-not-know-where-it-comes-from-i-only/) [Ivor Cutler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivor-cutler/) > [I am not a book collector, and I am not fussy about particular editions. As long as the words are there I don't mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-foulds/i-am-not-a-book-collector-and-i-am-not-fussy-about-particular/) [Adam Foulds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-foulds/) ## More by Eric Stoltz > [It's hard not to get a big head in the film industry, there are people on a set paid to cater to your every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/it-s-hard-not-to-get-a-big-head-in-the-film-industry-there-are-people/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [To this day I over prepare. I draw storyboards for every scene - chicken scratches so crude that they amuse and horrify the crew.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/to-this-day-i-over-prepare-i-draw-storyboards-for-every-scene-chicken/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [It seems I have a hard time being attracted to someone unless I respect what they do on some level. Otherwise, I would feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/it-seems-i-have-a-hard-time-being-attracted-to-someone-unless-i/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [You know, you grow up with the image of John Travolta being super cool - 'Saturday Night Fever,' Brian De Palma, handsome young god...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/you-know-you-grow-up-with-the-image-of-john-travolta-being-super-cool/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [Things happen to everybody in the course of a lifetime. Relationships end, people die, tragedy befalls everyone. So everyone has this wealth of experience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/things-happen-to-everybody-in-the-course-of-a-lifetime-relationships/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I realize I'm a very lucky man. I love what I do, I love films, TV and theatre, and the fact that I'm able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-realize-i-m-a-very-lucky-man-i-love-what-i-do-i-love-films-tv-and/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I have a love/hate relationship with just about all technology in my life. My first typewriter in particular. I had a helluva time putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-have-a-love-hate-relationship-with-just-about-all-technology-in-my/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [TV, in particular cable channels, has assumed the role of independent film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/tv-in-particular-cable-channels-has-assumed-the-role-of-independent/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I know a lot of writers who would much rather be writing the Great American Novel, but they've got bills to pay and alimony,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-know-a-lot-of-writers-who-would-much-rather-be-writing-the-great/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [My parents moved to American Samoa when I was three or four years old. My dad was principal of a high school there. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/my-parents-moved-to-american-samoa-when-i-was-three-or-four-years-old/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I'll be directing some more 'Private Practice' episodes when we wrap 'Caprica.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-ll-be-directing-some-more-private-practice-episodes-when-we-wrap/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [It seems that whatever we do is somehow beyond reproach - murder, rape, drunk driving - as long as we go on a TV…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/it-seems-that-whatever-we-do-is-somehow-beyond-reproach-murder-rape/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I don't want to see the zipper in the back of the monster suit. Like everybody else who goes to the movies, I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-don-t-want-to-see-the-zipper-in-the-back-of-the-monster-suit-like/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I'm not sure who's right, who's wrong, but it doesn't matter. Sometimes you just have to do what you're told. That's who we are!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-m-not-sure-who-s-right-who-s-wrong-but-it-doesn-t-matter-sometimes/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [Directing has only increased my admiration and respect for what it is that actors do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/directing-has-only-increased-my-admiration-and-respect-for-what-it-is/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) [Explore all 45 Eric Stoltz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/) [Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/) > [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) [Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Before I start directing a show, I try to spend a few weeks hanging around the set, getting to know the crew and talking to the actors about how they like to work. Who is fussy? Who is left-handed? 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