--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The work is the work. The work is not me…" description: "\"The work is the work. The work is not me. I like the anonymity that directors can have about their films. Even though it's my voice, I'm a storyteller...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/frank-ocean-2105_anonymity_the-work-is-the-work-the-work-is-not-me_3133994.jpg" --- # The work is the work. The work is not me. I like the… ![“The work is the work. The work is not me. I like the anonymity that directors can have about their films. Even though it's my voice, I'm a storyteller.” quote by Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/frank-ocean-2105_anonymity_the-work-is-the-work-the-work-is-not-me_3133994.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/frank-ocean-2105_anonymity_the-work-is-the-work-the-work-is-not-me_3133994.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/frank-ocean-2105_anonymity_the-work-is-the-work-the-work-is-not-me_3133994.jpg) > “The work is the work. The work is not me. I like the anonymity that directors can have about their films. Even though it's my voice, I'm a storyteller.” [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Separating creative output from personal identity, valuing anonymity in filmmaking while embracing storytelling voice. **In simple terms:** Work is separate from self; anonymity is valued. Key Takeaway Embrace the role, not the ego. Themes identity creativity anonymity Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - film directing - writing - public speaking Key Concepts self-concept artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - How does anonymity affect artistic freedom? - Can you separate your work from your identity? A Different Perspective Anonymity can limit personal brand growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anonymity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anonymity/) [Anonymity Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anonymity-directors-3350090/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Directors Films](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors-films-614041/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Films Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/films-voice-3492090/) [Storyteller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storyteller/) [Voice Storyteller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice-storyteller-2026391/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I like the anonymity that directors can have about their films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/i-like-the-anonymity-that-directors-can-have-about-their-films/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [The earliest voice listened to by the nations in their infancy was the voice of the storyteller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-earliest-voice-listened-to-by-the-nations-in-their-infancy-was/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [I think they quite like me when I work because I'm one of the safer directors to back, because even if my films don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satyajit-ray/i-think-they-quite-like-me-when-i-work-because-i-m-one-of-the-safer/) [Satyajit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satyajit-ray/) > [I always thought of documentaries as films through which you find your voice as a narrator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-luna/i-always-thought-of-documentaries-as-films-through-which-you-find/) [Diego Luna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-luna/) > [I have been quite open to the idea of working with any actor who wishes to sing for their films but only if their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amaal-mallik/i-have-been-quite-open-to-the-idea-of-working-with-any-actor-who/) [Amaal Mallik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amaal-mallik/) > [I enjoyed working with all my directors. I may have done more films with certain directors, but it doesn't mean I enjoyed working more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waheeda-rehman/i-enjoyed-working-with-all-my-directors-i-may-have-done-more-films/) [Waheeda Rehman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waheeda-rehman/) > [I like voice-over in films, and most of my films have been voice-over films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-payne/i-like-voice-over-in-films-and-most-of-my-films-have-been-voice-over/) [Alexander Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-payne/) > [The Internet made fame wack and anonymity cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/the-internet-made-fame-wack-and-anonymity-cool/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [People feel they can say nasty things and have anonymity behind the net - as they did with all the nasty comments about me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-roberts/people-feel-they-can-say-nasty-things-and-have-anonymity-behind-the/) [Nicola Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-roberts/) > [Both multiplayer games and online forums have this property of virtual anonymity. Other people can't really see you; they don't really know who you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sweeney/both-multiplayer-games-and-online-forums-have-this-property-of/) [Tim Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sweeney/) > [The internet's perfect for all manner of things, but productive discussion ain't one of them. It provides scant room for debate and infinite opportunities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brooker/the-internet-s-perfect-for-all-manner-of-things-but-productive/) [Charlie Brooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brooker/) > [Way before Watergate, senior administration officials hid behind anonymity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/way-before-watergate-senior-administration-officials-hid-behind/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [For many people in the west, Afghanistan is synonymous with the Soviet war and the Taliban. I wanted to remind people that Afghans had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/for-many-people-in-the-west-afghanistan-is-synonymous-with-the-soviet/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [I value my anonymity. I'm happy to come in on the tube or the train and watch other people reading 'Fifty Shades.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james-2/i-value-my-anonymity-i-m-happy-to-come-in-on-the-tube-or-the-train/) [E. L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james-2/) > [For me, getting comfortable with being famous was hard - that whole side of it, the loss of anonymity, the loss of privacy. Giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-pfeiffer/for-me-getting-comfortable-with-being-famous-was-hard-that-whole-side/) [Michelle Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-pfeiffer/) ## More by Frank Ocean > [I'm big on what's in good taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/i-m-big-on-what-s-in-good-taste/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [Making love, underneath the cherry leaves. Baby girl, tell me how my nature feels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/making-love-underneath-the-cherry-leaves-baby-girl-tell-me-how-my/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [How we experience memory sometimes, it's not linear. We're not telling the stories to ourselves. We know the story; we're just seeing it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/how-we-experience-memory-sometimes-it-s-not-linear-we-re-not-telling/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [I won't touch on risky, because that's subjective. People are just afraid of things too much. Afraid of things that don't necessarily merit fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/i-won-t-touch-on-risky-because-that-s-subjective-people-are-just/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [People are just afraid of things too much … Sure, evil exists, extremism exists. Somebody could commit a hate crime and hurt me. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/people-are-just-afraid-of-things-too-much-sure-evil-exists-extremism/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [My eyes don't shed tears but boy they bawl when I'm thinking bout you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/my-eyes-don-t-shed-tears-but-boy-they-bawl-when-i-m-thinking-bout-you/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [I feel like I was writing as I was learning to talk. Writing was always a go-to form of communication. And I knew I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/i-feel-like-i-was-writing-as-i-was-learning-to-talk-writing-was/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [The first four and a half years was me in the studio every day, writing songs for other people. I had jobs, too -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/the-first-four-and-a-half-years-was-me-in-the-studio-every-day/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [You say it's big but you take it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/you-say-it-s-big-but-you-take-it/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [“hi lisen to the sound of music”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/hi-lisen-to-the-sound-of-music/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [I guess I'm just inspired to tell stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/i-guess-i-m-just-inspired-to-tell-stories/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [As long as your intentions are solid and about growth and progression and being productive and not being idle, then you're doing good in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/as-long-as-your-intentions-are-solid-and-about-growth-and-progression/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [This unrequited love, to me it's nothing but a one-man cult/And cyanide in my styrofoam cup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/this-unrequited-love-to-me-it-s-nothing-but-a-one-man-cult-and/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [It's not always easy to be transparent about your emotions and sometimes the music can get heavy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/it-s-not-always-easy-to-be-transparent-about-your-emotions-and/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [I'm about to drive in the ocean. I'mma try to swim from something bigger than me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/i-m-about-to-drive-in-the-ocean-i-mma-try-to-swim-from-something/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) [Explore all 185 Frank Ocean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) ## More Anonymity quotes > [For me, getting comfortable with being famous was hard - that whole side of it, the loss of anonymity, the loss of privacy. Giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-pfeiffer/for-me-getting-comfortable-with-being-famous-was-hard-that-whole-side/) [Michelle Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-pfeiffer/) > [I value my anonymity. I'm happy to come in on the tube or the train and watch other people reading 'Fifty Shades.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james-2/i-value-my-anonymity-i-m-happy-to-come-in-on-the-tube-or-the-train/) [E. L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james-2/) > [For many people in the west, Afghanistan is synonymous with the Soviet war and the Taliban. I wanted to remind people that Afghans had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/for-many-people-in-the-west-afghanistan-is-synonymous-with-the-soviet/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [Way before Watergate, senior administration officials hid behind anonymity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/way-before-watergate-senior-administration-officials-hid-behind/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [The internet's perfect for all manner of things, but productive discussion ain't one of them. It provides scant room for debate and infinite opportunities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brooker/the-internet-s-perfect-for-all-manner-of-things-but-productive/) [Charlie Brooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brooker/) > [Both multiplayer games and online forums have this property of virtual anonymity. Other people can't really see you; they don't really know who you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sweeney/both-multiplayer-games-and-online-forums-have-this-property-of/) [Tim Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sweeney/) > [People feel they can say nasty things and have anonymity behind the net - as they did with all the nasty comments about me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-roberts/people-feel-they-can-say-nasty-things-and-have-anonymity-behind-the/) [Nicola Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-roberts/) > [Anonymity would be a fantastic umbrella. I don't like intrusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anonymity-would-be-a-fantastic-umbrella-i-don-t-like-intrusion/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wouldn't want to even try to begin to describe our customer, as I think she likes a certain amount of anonymity. I try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-philo/i-wouldn-t-want-to-even-try-to-begin-to-describe-our-customer-as-i/) [Phoebe Philo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-philo/) > [Most members of Gamergate, the alt-right movement best known for harassing women in the game industry, operate under a veil of anonymity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brianna-wu/most-members-of-gamergate-the-alt-right-movement-best-known-for/) [Brianna Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brianna-wu/) > [I came from anonymity, and I will continue to write as a private pursuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-g-sebald/i-came-from-anonymity-and-i-will-continue-to-write-as-a-private/) [W. G. Sebald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-g-sebald/) > [The problem with losing your anonymity is that you can never go back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marla-maples/the-problem-with-losing-your-anonymity-is-that-you-can-never-go-back/) [Marla Maples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marla-maples/) > [Human beings are not meant to lose their anonymity and privacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chalke/human-beings-are-not-meant-to-lose-their-anonymity-and-privacy/) [Sarah Chalke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chalke/) > [Privacy is important to me. But it's not just about sticking two fingers up and saying I don't want anyone to know my business.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/privacy-is-important-to-me-but-it-s-not-just-about-sticking-two/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) > [Anonymity, in some cases a key civil liberty, also enables society's worst actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wil-wheaton/anonymity-in-some-cases-a-key-civil-liberty-also-enables-society-s/) [Wil Wheaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wil-wheaton/) [Browse all 285 Anonymity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anonymity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The work is the work. The work is not me. I like the anonymity that directors can have about their films. 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