--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am not a director or a writer, but a…" description: "\"I am not a director or a writer, but a filmmaker.\" — Frances McDormand" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/frances-mcdormand-3814_am_i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-fi_3082792.jpg" --- # I am not a director or a writer, but a filmmaker. ![“I am not a director or a writer, but a filmmaker.” quote by Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/frances-mcdormand-3814_am_i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-fi_3082792.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/frances-mcdormand-3814_am_i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-fi_3082792.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/frances-mcdormand-3814_am_i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-fi_3082792.jpg) > “I am not a director or a writer, but a filmmaker.” [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She defines her role by the craft rather than titles, emphasizing creative identity over labels. **In simple terms:** She sees herself as a filmmaker, not just a director or writer. Key Takeaway Focus on the work, not the title. Themes identity creativity craft Mood reflective confident Type professional inspirational When to use this quote - film production - career discussions - artistic collaboration Key Concepts self-definition role perception Questions to Reflect On - How does labeling affect creative freedom? - What defines your artistic identity? A Different Perspective Titles can limit perception of contribution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Director Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director-writer-279864/) [Filmmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaker/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writer Filmmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-filmmaker-588295/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I don't think of myself as a director or writer. I think of myself as a filmmaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hall/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-a-director-or-writer-i-think-of-myself-as/) [Conrad Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hall/) > [I think of myself as a problem-solver. I want to go in and help the director and the writer to get the best they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/i-think-of-myself-as-a-problem-solver-i-want-to-go-in-and-help-the/) [Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/) > [As a director or writer, you have to be so controlling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-white/as-a-director-or-writer-you-have-to-be-so-controlling/) [Mike White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-white/) > [As a writer, or as a filmmaker, you have to present yourself, and part of what yourself is is what you're interested in, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/as-a-writer-or-as-a-filmmaker-you-have-to-present-yourself-and-part/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Every good writer or filmmaker has something eating at them, right? That they can't quite get off their back . And so your job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/every-good-writer-or-filmmaker-has-something-eating-at-them-right/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [If you want to tell stories, be a writer, not a filmmaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/if-you-want-to-tell-stories-be-a-writer-not-a-filmmaker/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) > [The job of the writer and the filmmaker is not to impose his vision on the reality, but to be inspired by the reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramin-bahrani/the-job-of-the-writer-and-the-filmmaker-is-not-to-impose-his-vision/) [Ramin Bahrani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramin-bahrani/) > [I'm not a writer, although, as a filmmaker, you are an author in a certain way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-marshall/i-m-not-a-writer-although-as-a-filmmaker-you-are-an-author-in-a/) [Rob Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-marshall/) > [In this business, you're dependent on the writer, the filmmaker, the luck of beating out who knows how many people for the part. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-holbrook/in-this-business-you-re-dependent-on-the-writer-the-filmmaker-the/) [Boyd Holbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-holbrook/) > [One of the things you do as a writer and as a filmmaker is grasp for resonant symbols and imagery without necessarily fully understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-nolan/one-of-the-things-you-do-as-a-writer-and-as-a-filmmaker-is-grasp-for/) [Christopher Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-nolan/) > [I write and film history; I don't make it. One can be a good critic and a moral observer, but one remains professionally detached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-luc-godard/i-write-and-film-history-i-don-t-make-it-one-can-be-a-good-critic-and/) [Jean-Luc Godard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-luc-godard/) > [It's like two years straight out of your life doing a film. It's very enjoyable, especially working with the guys, but I kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/it-s-like-two-years-straight-out-of-your-life-doing-a-film-it-s-very/) [Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/) > [Yes, I do bring something of my own to the plate. But I strongly believe that a film is a director and writer's vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mithila-palkar/yes-i-do-bring-something-of-my-own-to-the-plate-but-i-strongly/) [Mithila Palkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mithila-palkar/) > [(As) a director who is a writer, I have respect for writers, so I'm less likely to step on an idea or a line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-affleck/as-a-director-who-is-a-writer-i-have-respect-for-writers-so-i-m-less/) [Ben Affleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-affleck/) > [When you're the director and the writer, you never have to remember your lines, and there's no one to call you on it. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/when-you-re-the-director-and-the-writer-you-never-have-to-remember/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) ## More by Frances McDormand > [There's only two givens with choosing acting as a profession: one is you will always be unemployed, always, and it doesn't matter how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/there-s-only-two-givens-with-choosing-acting-as-a-profession-one-is/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [I don't think of myself as a movie star and I can pretty easily convince other people that I'm not a movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-a-movie-star-and-i-can-pretty-easily/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [Guess what? I am an ordinary person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/guess-what-i-am-an-ordinary-person/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [There is simply too much of my life that is involved in my work that I couldn't replicate in any other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/there-is-simply-too-much-of-my-life-that-is-involved-in-my-work-that/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [I think that cosmetic enhancements in my profession are just an occupational hazard. But I think, more culturally, I'm interested in starting the conversation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-think-that-cosmetic-enhancements-in-my-profession-are-just-an/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [I was completely naive about the business of being an actor. My family didn't go to the theater or to the movies. We watched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-was-completely-naive-about-the-business-of-being-an-actor-my-family/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [If, when I leave this earth, I'm remembered for 'Fargo,' so be it. But I think old Marge Gunderson is gonna get a run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/if-when-i-leave-this-earth-i-m-remembered-for-fargo-so-be-it-but-i/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [I never read books - and still don't read books - to develop them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-never-read-books-and-still-don-t-read-books-to-develop-them/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [I'm not really that interested in going back to playing small supporting roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-m-not-really-that-interested-in-going-back-to-playing-small/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [I'm trained in the theater, and acting, for me, is about the imaginative life I create for myself, not about basing it on something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-m-trained-in-the-theater-and-acting-for-me-is-about-the-imaginative/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [No actor has complete freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/no-actor-has-complete-freedom/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [Long-format television is a better way to tell a female story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/long-format-television-is-a-better-way-to-tell-a-female-story/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [Female characters in literature are full. They're messy: they've got runny noses and burp and belch. Unfortunately, in film, female characters don't often have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/female-characters-in-literature-are-full-they-re-messy-they-ve-got/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [At least three times a week, I'm approached by someone who says something about 'Fargo.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/at-least-three-times-a-week-i-m-approached-by-someone-who-says/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) > [I would disagree that America is any more racist or ridiculous than anywhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-would-disagree-that-america-is-any-more-racist-or-ridiculous-than/) [Frances McDormand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) [Explore all 121 Frances McDormand quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [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 am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) [Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am not a director or a writer, but a filmmaker.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frances McDormand" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-filmmaker/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Am" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-filmmaker/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/frances-mcdormand-3814_am_i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-fi_3082792.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/frances-mcdormand-3814_am_i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-fi_3082792.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/frances-mcdormand-3814_am_i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-fi_3082792.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am not a director or a writer, but a filmmaker.” — Frances McDormand", "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": "Frances McDormand", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mcdormand/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am not a director or...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-filmmaker/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mcdormand/i-am-not-a-director-or-a-writer-but-a-filmmaker/#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 } } ] } ```