--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think now I've established myself as a…" description: "\"I think now I've established myself as a director, but starting out, I'd be foolish to think that every opportunity that came after 'The Wonder Years' ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/893/fred-savage-14189_director_i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a_1981799.jpg" --- # I think now I've established myself as a director, but… ![“I think now I've established myself as a director, but starting out, I'd be foolish to think that every opportunity that came after 'The Wonder Years' didn't stem from 'The Wonder Years.' So I owe so much of everything for that show.” quote by Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/893/fred-savage-14189_director_i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a_1981799.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/893/fred-savage-14189_director_i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a_1981799.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/893/fred-savage-14189_director_i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a_1981799.jpg) > “I think now I've established myself as a director, but starting out, I'd be foolish to think that every opportunity that came after 'The Wonder Years' didn't stem from 'The Wonder Years.' So I owe so much of everything for that show.” [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He credits his early success to a pivotal show, recognizing that future opportunities are built on that foundation. **In simple terms:** His early work opened doors for later chances. Key Takeaway Leverage early successes while staying humble. Themes career growth gratitude Mood proud thoughtful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - job interview - career planning - mentorship discussions - industry panels Key Concepts networking legacy learning Questions to Reflect On - How can I diversify my portfolio? - What lessons from that show apply elsewhere? A Different Perspective Overemphasizing one project can limit perception of broader skills. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Director Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director-starting-3388016/) [Established Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/established-director-3388018/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Opportunity Came](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity-came-747548/) [Starting Foolish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting-foolish-3388017/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) [Wonder years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder-years/) ## Related quotes > [When a show's already established, and a director comes to set, it can be quite the intimidating experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wesley/when-a-show-s-already-established-and-a-director-comes-to-set-it-can/) [Paul Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wesley/) > [If I was a young director starting off, there's so many tools at your disposal now to do things relatively inexpensively that it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-bayer/if-i-was-a-young-director-starting-off-there-s-so-many-tools-at-your/) [Samuel Bayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-bayer/) > [Now I'm kind of established as a director, I much prefer directing to writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/now-i-m-kind-of-established-as-a-director-i-much-prefer-directing-to/) [Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/) > [The persona of 'The Wonder Years' is something that's going to be with me forever. And I'm happy for that. It's nothing that I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/the-persona-of-the-wonder-years-is-something-that-s-going-to-be-with/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [The move into adult comedy wasn't so much moving away from 'The Wonder Years' as expanding myself as a director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/the-move-into-adult-comedy-wasn-t-so-much-moving-away-from-the-wonder/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I wasn't some sort of ingenue. I always saw myself as a lifer in this industry, and working as an actor on 'Wonder Years'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-wasn-t-some-sort-of-ingenue-i-always-saw-myself-as-a-lifer-in-this/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [Looking back at the 'Wonder Years,' I see things I did well, and I see things I did very, very badly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/looking-back-at-the-wonder-years-i-see-things-i-did-well-and-i-see/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [Children leave... and parents stay behind. Still, some things are deeper than time and distance. And your father will always be your father...And he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/children-leave-and-parents-stay-behind-still-some-things-are-deeper/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I play very sweet characters, so people look at me like I'm the kid from 'The Wonder Years,' rather than Brad Pitt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-o-dowd/i-play-very-sweet-characters-so-people-look-at-me-like-i-m-the-kid/) [Chris O'Dowd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-o-dowd/) > [“This quick foray onto the toilet has been no different an endeavor than any other time I’ve used the restroom in my adult life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/this-quick-foray-onto-the-toilet-has-been-no-different-an-endeavor/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [“I never knew until that moment how bad it could hurt to lose something you never really had.”  -The Wonder Years”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genna-rulon/i-never-knew-until-that-moment-how-bad-it-could-hurt-to-lose-2/) [Genna Rulon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genna-rulon/) > [“Growing up happens in a heartbeat. Once day you're in diapers, the next day you're gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-stern/growing-up-happens-in-a-heartbeat-once-day-you-re-in-diapers-the-next/) [Daniel Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-stern/) > [Rumors, stories... I'm used to them. I got my ribs removed, I was on 'The Wonder Years'... You know there's a different story every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/rumors-stories-i-m-used-to-them-i-got-my-ribs-removed-i-was-on-the/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Even though my face has gotten more familiar with doing 'China Beach' and 'The Wonder Years,' I'm the kind of actor that people thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-picardo/even-though-my-face-has-gotten-more-familiar-with-doing-china-beach/) [Robert Picardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-picardo/) > [I constantly write about my safety walking to and from school, and then I would come home at night, and I would cut on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/i-constantly-write-about-my-safety-walking-to-and-from-school-and/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) ## More by Fred Savage > [Really, anyone in the business who transitions into directing as a writer or editor or an actor or a cinematographer, at some point you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/really-anyone-in-the-business-who-transitions-into-directing-as-a/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I'd like to work with any actress from whom I can learn-one who has had many experiences with many directors and is willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-d-like-to-work-with-any-actress-from-whom-i-can-learn-one-who-has/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I appreciate everything. I built my career from very humble beginnings. Every job I've had, every next rung on the ladder, I appreciate because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-appreciate-everything-i-built-my-career-from-very-humble-beginnings/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [Everything I've jumped into and tried and every experience I've had and career opportunity, including going to 'The Grinder,' it was just because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/everything-i-ve-jumped-into-and-tried-and-every-experience-i-ve-had/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I have been working in the entertainment industry my whole life and have always endeavored to treat everyone on any set I work on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-have-been-working-in-the-entertainment-industry-my-whole-life-and/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [That's the whole reason I got into acting: I don't do this like some grown-ups have to do it, because they have families, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/that-s-the-whole-reason-i-got-into-acting-i-don-t-do-this-like-some/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I always feel bad when people ask me questions. I always felt that I was a terrible interview because I don't have any problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-always-feel-bad-when-people-ask-me-questions-i-always-felt-that-i/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I think a lot of longevity, especially as a performer, depends on kind of what your commodity is. If your commodity is your cuteness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-think-a-lot-of-longevity-especially-as-a-performer-depends-on-kind/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [Children leave... and parents stay behind. Still, some things are deeper than time and distance. And your father will always be your father...And he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/children-leave-and-parents-stay-behind-still-some-things-are-deeper/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [As soon as it stops being fun, then I'll stop acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/as-soon-as-it-stops-being-fun-then-i-ll-stop-acting/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [The term papers make me more crazy, because they involve more variables I cannot directly control! With acting, I feel more power-like I'm making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/the-term-papers-make-me-more-crazy-because-they-involve-more/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I think Kellie Martin, Reese Witherspoon and Claire Danes represent the future for women in film, and I would be honored to share the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-think-kellie-martin-reese-witherspoon-and-claire-danes-represent/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [It is unfortunate that the poor judgment shown by a small group of young actors has tarnished the reputation of every child who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/it-is-unfortunate-that-the-poor-judgment-shown-by-a-small-group-of/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I was always very interested in the storytelling decisions that went into directing. It just held this real allure for me. You know, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-was-always-very-interested-in-the-storytelling-decisions-that-went/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [I was never really aware of being famous. Being in a magazine or on a billboard - that really didn't register to me at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-was-never-really-aware-of-being-famous-being-in-a-magazine-or-on-a/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) [Explore all 47 Fred Savage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) ## More Director quotes > [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/) > [Professionally speaking, the proudest moment was when I booked the 'Human Stain.' I knew it had Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Gary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/professionally-speaking-the-proudest-moment-was-when-i-booked-the/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) > [A successful director is someone who has the combination of skills that you can learn, but there's also an intuitive sensibility that they bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-heinrichs/a-successful-director-is-someone-who-has-the-combination-of-skills/) [Rick Heinrichs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-heinrichs/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [During script narrations, if I feel the screenplay mood jumping abruptly, I tell the director, and they work on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-sethupathi/during-script-narrations-if-i-feel-the-screenplay-mood-jumping/) [Vijay Sethupathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-sethupathi/) > [I'm publicist, patron of nine charities, creative director, food consultant, recipe developer - and mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/i-m-publicist-patron-of-nine-charities-creative-director-food/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [I've always wanted to be a director; it's just how my mind has always worked. If I hear music, I see music videos and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-wells/i-ve-always-wanted-to-be-a-director-it-s-just-how-my-mind-has-always/) [Noel Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-wells/) > [There was always a part of me that wanted to be an old-time director. But I couldn't do that. I'm not a pro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-scorsese/there-was-always-a-part-of-me-that-wanted-to-be-an-old-time-director/) [Martin Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-scorsese/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Because I thought there's no point trying to second guess what people are looking for, because if I'm the right director for it, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-herron/because-i-thought-there-s-no-point-trying-to-second-guess-what-people/) [Kate Herron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-herron/) > [Sometimes you can't even find the director on a movie set. Sometimes you don't want to find the director on a movie set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-tucci/sometimes-you-can-t-even-find-the-director-on-a-movie-set-sometimes/) [Stanley Tucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-tucci/) > [First of all the criteria that I have that goes into any career decision is whether or not I have the life experience, emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/first-of-all-the-criteria-that-i-have-that-goes-into-any-career/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [As a director, people are trusting you with their lives, with their stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-chai-vasarhelyi/as-a-director-people-are-trusting-you-with-their-lives-with-their/) [Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-chai-vasarhelyi/) > [I loved working with Stephen Frears. He's a really fantastic director. He knows what he wants and how to get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anjelica-huston/i-loved-working-with-stephen-frears-he-s-a-really-fantastic-director/) [Anjelica Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anjelica-huston/) [Browse all 2,786 Director quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think now I've established myself as a director, but starting out, I'd be foolish to think that every opportunity that came after 'The Wonder Years' didn't stem from 'The Wonder Years.' So I owe so much of everything for that show.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Fred Savage" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a-director-but-starting-out-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Director" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a-director-but-starting-out-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/893/fred-savage-14189_director_i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a_1981799.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/893/fred-savage-14189_director_i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a_1981799.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/893/fred-savage-14189_director_i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a_1981799.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think now I've established myself as a director, but starting out, I'd be foolish to think that every…” — Fred Savage", "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": "Fred Savage", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think now I've established myself...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a-director-but-starting-out-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-think-now-i-ve-established-myself-as-a-director-but-starting-out-i/#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 } } ] } ```