--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you direct a film, everything should…" description: "\"When you direct a film, everything should be about the story and nothing else.\" — Esra Saydam" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/esra-saydam-63515_cinema_when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should_1090247.jpg" --- # When you direct a film, everything should be about the… ![“When you direct a film, everything should be about the story and nothing else.” quote by Esra Saydam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/esra-saydam-63515_cinema_when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should_1090247.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/esra-saydam-63515_cinema_when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should_1090247.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/esra-saydam-63515_cinema_when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should_1090247.jpg) > “When you direct a film, everything should be about the story and nothing else.” [Esra Saydam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esra-saydam/) ## 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 must prioritize narrative above all technical or aesthetic concerns. **In simple terms:** Story should guide every decision. Key Takeaway Keep the story front and center. Themes filmmaking storytelling focus Mood determined creative Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - script development - scene planning - budget allocation - post‑production Key Concepts narrative hierarchy creative discipline visual storytelling Questions to Reflect On - What elements of your project serve the story? - How do you resist the lure of style over substance? A Different Perspective Neglecting story can make a technically perfect film feel empty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) ## Related quotes > [I guess the idea of not wanting to choose to direct a film, for which I've not read a script. It's a tough decision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams/i-guess-the-idea-of-not-wanting-to-choose-to-direct-a-film-for-which/) [J. J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams/) > [It is a challenge to direct any film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sudeep/it-is-a-challenge-to-direct-any-film/) [Sudeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sudeep/) > [Every aspect of filmmaking has lured me. Although I'm an actor now, one day, I'd like to direct a film. It's not as though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nivin-pauly/every-aspect-of-filmmaking-has-lured-me-although-i-m-an-actor-now-one/) [Nivin Pauly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nivin-pauly/) > [When you're so passionate about cinema, the idea to direct your own film is really appealing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspard-ulliel/when-you-re-so-passionate-about-cinema-the-idea-to-direct-your-own/) [Gaspard Ulliel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspard-ulliel/) > [I always wanted to direct a film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-always-wanted-to-direct-a-film/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I'd be very interested to direct myself on film. I think it would be almost impossible on the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-lawson/i-d-be-very-interested-to-direct-myself-on-film-i-think-it-would-be/) [Denis Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-lawson/) > [If you decide to direct a film, it's because you have something to say, something to show to the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspard-ulliel/if-you-decide-to-direct-a-film-it-s-because-you-have-something-to-say/) [Gaspard Ulliel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspard-ulliel/) > [You need philosophy. It sounds a little pompous but I think when you direct a film, the only way to find a response to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-gondry/you-need-philosophy-it-sounds-a-little-pompous-but-i-think-when-you/) [Michel Gondry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-gondry/) > [You can act in five, six, or seven films in the time it takes to direct one film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/you-can-act-in-five-six-or-seven-films-in-the-time-it-takes-to-direct/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [When you have an intimate encounter with mortality as my family and I did with my mom's death, I took a long look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hedges/when-you-have-an-intimate-encounter-with-mortality-as-my-family-and-i/) [Peter Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hedges/) > [I've been producing projects, and I hope that It's inevitable one day that I direct a film. I have a lot of things I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrien-brody/i-ve-been-producing-projects-and-i-hope-that-it-s-inevitable-one-day/) [Adrien Brody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrien-brody/) > [You need a lot of experience to direct a film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-deol/you-need-a-lot-of-experience-to-direct-a-film/) [Esha Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-deol/) > [That's why I won't direct film or telly. I can't do those early mornings anymore. I will only direct theatre because that starts at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/that-s-why-i-won-t-direct-film-or-telly-i-can-t-do-those-early/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [Since I have spent so much time with film-makers, and I understand the process, I would love to direct a film some day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/since-i-have-spent-so-much-time-with-film-makers-and-i-understand-the/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [To become a hero is simple but to direct a film is far more challenging work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeetendra/to-become-a-hero-is-simple-but-to-direct-a-film-is-far-more/) [Jeetendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeetendra/) ## More by Esra Saydam > [Directors should not be forced to advocate anything in their works because of their demographic identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/directors-should-not-be-forced-to-advocate-anything-in-their-works/) [Esra Saydam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esra-saydam/) > [Don't get consumed by the false idea that being a woman is a disadvantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/don-t-get-consumed-by-the-false-idea-that-being-a-woman-is-a/) [Esra Saydam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esra-saydam/) > [In our society, as women filmmakers, we are expected to make films that empower women and that raise awareness about women's issues. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/in-our-society-as-women-filmmakers-we-are-expected-to-make-films-that/) [Esra Saydam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esra-saydam/) > [Some people look at the surface, while some see what's deep down. The most important thing is that the film should somehow stay with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/some-people-look-at-the-surface-while-some-see-what-s-deep-down-the/) [Esra Saydam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esra-saydam/) [Explore all 5 Esra Saydam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esra-saydam/) ## More Cinema quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [You have to have a great director to make a great movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/you-have-to-have-a-great-director-to-make-a-great-movie/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [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/) > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [There was a time in the 1980s when I worked in 22 films a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radha-ravi/there-was-a-time-in-the-1980s-when-i-worked-in-22-films-a-year/) [Radha Ravi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radha-ravi/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [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/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > ['Rear Window' isn't really a horror film, but it is a psychological drama, which I love. It is very tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-silvers/rear-window-isn-t-really-a-horror-film-but-it-is-a-psychological/) [Diana Silvers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-silvers/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [I am not interested in churning out a certain number of films every year. For me, it's about the quality of work. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepika-padukone/i-am-not-interested-in-churning-out-a-certain-number-of-films-every/) [Deepika Padukone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepika-padukone/) [Browse all 23,940 Cinema quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you direct a film, everything should be about the story and nothing else.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Esra Saydam" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should-be-about-the-story-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cinema" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should-be-about-the-story-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/esra-saydam-63515_cinema_when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should_1090247.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/esra-saydam-63515_cinema_when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should_1090247.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/esra-saydam-63515_cinema_when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should_1090247.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you direct a film, everything should be about the story and nothing else.” — Esra Saydam", "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": "Esra Saydam", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esra-saydam/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you direct a film, everything...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should-be-about-the-story-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esra-saydam/when-you-direct-a-film-everything-should-be-about-the-story-and/#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 } } ] } ```