--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most filmmakers can't afford to try…" description: "\"Most filmmakers can't afford to try something out that doesn't work.\" — Francis Ford Coppola" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/francis-ford-coppola-2337_afford_most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-some_1972700.jpg" --- # Most filmmakers can't afford to try something out that… ![“Most filmmakers can't afford to try something out that doesn't work.” quote by Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/francis-ford-coppola-2337_afford_most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-some_1972700.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/francis-ford-coppola-2337_afford_most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-some_1972700.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/francis-ford-coppola-2337_afford_most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-some_1972700.jpg) > “Most filmmakers can't afford to try something out that doesn't work.” [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Filmmakers often avoid risky experiments because failure threatens budgets and reputations. **In simple terms:** Risk aversion limits creative attempts. Key Takeaway Embrace calculated risks in creation. Themes creativity risk budget constraints Mood cautious encouraging Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - indie film - startup projects - new technology - artistic exploration Key Concepts innovation industry pressure Questions to Reflect On - What low‑cost experiment could you try? - How to balance risk with resource limits? A Different Perspective Financial limits can stifle innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Filmmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaker/) [Filmmakers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmakers/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [We're a family operation. There's not many of us. We have a couple people who come from time to time who work with us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-pennebaker/we-re-a-family-operation-there-s-not-many-of-us-we-have-a-couple/) [D. A. Pennebaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-pennebaker/) > [Some people might say, 'Can we afford it?' I think that's asking the wrong question... We should instead be asking, 'Can we really afford…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lo/some-people-might-say-can-we-afford-it-i-think-that-s-asking-the/) [Andrew Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lo/) > [“But I can’t afford not to try. I can’t be ranked last.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/but-i-can-t-afford-not-to-try-i-can-t-be-ranked-last/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Why has Scandinavia been producing such good thrillers? Maybe because their filmmakers can't afford millions for CGI and must rely on cheaper elements like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/why-has-scandinavia-been-producing-such-good-thrillers-maybe-because/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [If the movie works, nobody notices the mistakes... If the movie doesn't work, the only thing people notice are mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/if-the-movie-works-nobody-notices-the-mistakes-if-the-movie-doesn-t/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [When I meet certain filmmakers, sometimes you sit down and you do have some kind of shorthand. It can be fun to see them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-baumbach/when-i-meet-certain-filmmakers-sometimes-you-sit-down-and-you-do-have/) [Noah Baumbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-baumbach/) > [For a lot of filmmakers, their first goal is to be successful and make some money. But once people start doing that, the real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-osborne/for-a-lot-of-filmmakers-their-first-goal-is-to-be-successful-and-make/) [Robert Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-osborne/) > [Right now, we live in bad times in this country, and the fact that there are filmmakers addressing political and social issues is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-morris/right-now-we-live-in-bad-times-in-this-country-and-the-fact-that/) [Errol Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-morris/) > [The real beauty in my professional experience has been friendships and collaborations with filmmakers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/the-real-beauty-in-my-professional-experience-has-been-friendships/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [I'm very fortunate to have the privilege of working with directors like Bill Condon and Paul Thomas Anderson, who I think is one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rami-malek/i-m-very-fortunate-to-have-the-privilege-of-working-with-directors/) [Rami Malek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rami-malek/) > [It is important to keep the filmmakers interested in you so they can offer you everything and anything. We actors are not given work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randeep-hooda/it-is-important-to-keep-the-filmmakers-interested-in-you-so-they-can/) [Randeep Hooda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randeep-hooda/) > [I hear filmmakers saying, 'I wanted to make to make a film about this issue, or this theme,' but I never start like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-arnold/i-hear-filmmakers-saying-i-wanted-to-make-to-make-a-film-about-this/) [Andrea Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-arnold/) > [I guess it's easier to get things made when you know the story you want to tell, you know the characters you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mara/i-guess-it-s-easier-to-get-things-made-when-you-know-the-story-you/) [Kate Mara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mara/) > [You know, I feel like my job is to write a book. Then filmmakers come and they make a movie. And they're two really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-waldman/you-know-i-feel-like-my-job-is-to-write-a-book-then-filmmakers-come/) [Ayelet Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-waldman/) > [What I would say to filmmakers, if I may be so bold or so arrogant, is to draw inspiration from other filmmakers, but go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/what-i-would-say-to-filmmakers-if-i-may-be-so-bold-or-so-arrogant-is/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) ## More by Francis Ford Coppola > [I wrote the script of Patton. I had this very bizarre opening where he stands up in front of an American flag and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-wrote-the-script-of-patton-i-had-this-very-bizarre-opening-where-he/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [The only TV I would be interested in exploring would be live television. There's no substitute for a team of artists performing at their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/the-only-tv-i-would-be-interested-in-exploring-would-be-live/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [I have more of a vivid imagination than I have talent. I cook up ideas. It's just a characteristic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-have-more-of-a-vivid-imagination-than-i-have-talent-i-cook-up-ideas/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [I associate my motion picture career more with being unhappy and scared, or being under the gun, than with anything pleasant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-associate-my-motion-picture-career-more-with-being-unhappy-and/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Collaboration is like the sex of creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/collaboration-is-like-the-sex-of-creativity/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Frank Capra was a prop man, I think. John Ford was a prop man. It was a little bit of a father and son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/frank-capra-was-a-prop-man-i-think-john-ford-was-a-prop-man-it-was-a/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Death is what makes life an event.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/death-is-what-makes-life-an-event/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [I have much to learn from my daughter Sofia. Her minimalism exposes my limitations: I'm too instinctive and operatic, I put too much heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-have-much-to-learn-from-my-daughter-sofia-her-minimalism-exposes-my/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [It's ironic that at age 32, at probably the greatest moment of my career, with The Godfather having such an enormous success, I wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/it-s-ironic-that-at-age-32-at-probably-the-greatest-moment-of-my/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Without a doubt, I was born to want to make cinema, but the kind of cinema I want to make is not like commercial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/without-a-doubt-i-was-born-to-want-to-make-cinema-but-the-kind-of/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [I had been a kid that moved so much, I didn’t have a lot of friends. Theater really represented that kind of camaraderie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-had-been-a-kid-that-moved-so-much-i-didn-t-have-a-lot-of-friends/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Wine is so much more than a beverage. It's a romance, a story, a drama-all of those things that are basically putting on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/wine-is-so-much-more-than-a-beverage-it-s-a-romance-a-story-a-drama/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [When I do a novel, I don't really use the script, I use the book; when I did Apocalypse Now, I used Heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/when-i-do-a-novel-i-don-t-really-use-the-script-i-use-the-book-when-i/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Listen, if there's one sure-fire rule that I have learned in this business, it's that I don't know anything about human nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/listen-if-there-s-one-sure-fire-rule-that-i-have-learned-in-this/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [There can't be art without risk. It's like saying No Sex, and then expecting there to be children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/there-can-t-be-art-without-risk-it-s-like-saying-no-sex-and-then/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) [Explore all 171 Francis Ford Coppola quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) ## More Afford quotes > [We can't afford any president to fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/we-can-t-afford-any-president-to-fail/) [Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/) > [Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should buy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/just-because-you-can-afford-it-doesn-t-mean-you-should-buy-it/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [I am not a Ph.D. in economics or a doctorate in literature that I can afford to take my singing lightly. Even if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-kher/i-am-not-a-ph-d-in-economics-or-a-doctorate-in-literature-that-i-can/) [Kailash Kher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-kher/) > [Now I'm having to live with sales of around 50,000 per album - but I'm pretty content with my place in the general scheme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-knopfler/now-i-m-having-to-live-with-sales-of-around-50-000-per-album-but-i-m/) [David Knopfler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-knopfler/) > [I was lucky because I got so successful so early, and when you get successful early, then you can afford to be a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/i-was-lucky-because-i-got-so-successful-so-early-and-when-you-get/) [Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/) > [I have crooked toes from wearing boots that didn't fit me because that's all I could afford as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lomu/i-have-crooked-toes-from-wearing-boots-that-didn-t-fit-me-because/) [Jonah Lomu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lomu/) > [The most common reason new mothers return to work sooner than they'd like to is because they can't afford to go without their salaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-von-tobel/the-most-common-reason-new-mothers-return-to-work-sooner-than-they-d/) [Alexa Von Tobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-von-tobel/) > [This fatigue can not afford to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israa-ali/this-fatigue-can-not-afford-to-do/) [ISRAA ALI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israa-ali/) > [A good player is a good player, it's just that we cannot afford signings that do not work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-dyche/a-good-player-is-a-good-player-it-s-just-that-we-cannot-afford/) [Sean Dyche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-dyche/) > [I'm not the most talented writer in the world. I know that. But I also know that I'm disciplined, that I work my butt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-b-coe/i-m-not-the-most-talented-writer-in-the-world-i-know-that-but-i-also/) [David B. Coe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-b-coe/) > [Unfortunately, some people go to a restaurant, and they aren't really there to enjoy themselves. They're there because they think they deserve to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-dinicol/unfortunately-some-people-go-to-a-restaurant-and-they-aren-t-really/) Joe Dinicol > [Nobody has so many friends that he can afford to lose one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/nobody-has-so-many-friends-that-he-can-afford-to-lose-one/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [My earliest memories were when my mom would put me in the plays that she was in because she couldn't afford a babysitter... she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-applegate/my-earliest-memories-were-when-my-mom-would-put-me-in-the-plays-that/) [Christina Applegate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-applegate/) > [In Washington journalists can afford to live almost as well as people who work for a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-washington-journalists-can-afford-to-live-almost-as-well-as-people/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I'm a little bit tough because I can't afford to get my heart broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandi-glanville/i-m-a-little-bit-tough-because-i-can-t-afford-to-get-my-heart-broken/) [Brandi Glanville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandi-glanville/) Browse all 784 Afford quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most filmmakers can't afford to try something out that doesn't work.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Francis Ford Coppola" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-something-out-that-doesn-t-work/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afford" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-something-out-that-doesn-t-work/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/francis-ford-coppola-2337_afford_most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-some_1972700.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/francis-ford-coppola-2337_afford_most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-some_1972700.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b3/francis-ford-coppola-2337_afford_most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-some_1972700.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most filmmakers can't afford to try something out that doesn't work.” — Francis Ford Coppola", "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": "Francis Ford Coppola", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Most filmmakers can't afford to try...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-something-out-that-doesn-t-work/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/most-filmmakers-can-t-afford-to-try-something-out-that-doesn-t-work/#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 } } ] } ```