--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm basically a writer, it's who I am. I…" description: "\"I'm basically a writer, it's who I am. I direct and I like theatre directing very much. But I've done 17 movies, they don't say 'Let's get Garry, he'll..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dc/garry-marshall-12551_direct_i-m-basically-a-writer-it-s-who-i-am-i-d_2940952.jpg" --- # I'm basically a writer, it's who I am. I direct and I like… ![“I'm basically a writer, it's who I am. I direct and I like theatre directing very much. But I've done 17 movies, they don't say 'Let's get Garry, he'll make a helicopter shot,' they say 'Get Garry, he'll fix the script.'” quote by Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dc/garry-marshall-12551_direct_i-m-basically-a-writer-it-s-who-i-am-i-d_2940952.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dc/garry-marshall-12551_direct_i-m-basically-a-writer-it-s-who-i-am-i-d_2940952.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dc/garry-marshall-12551_direct_i-m-basically-a-writer-it-s-who-i-am-i-d_2940952.jpg) > “I'm basically a writer, it's who I am. I direct and I like theatre directing very much. But I've done 17 movies, they don't say 'Let's get Garry, he'll make a helicopter shot,' they say 'Get Garry, he'll fix the script.'” [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A writer's identity drives his work; directors value script quality over star power. **In simple terms:** Writer identity guides work; script matters more than star. Key Takeaway Prioritize strong storytelling in film. Themes creativity film authorship Mood reflective practical Type creative industry When to use this quote - film production - theatre - TV series Key Concepts scriptwriting directing casting Questions to Reflect On - How can writers maintain creative control? - What balances star appeal with script integrity? A Different Perspective Star power can dominate budget decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Who i am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who-i-am/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and concentrate on theatre directing, Dominic Dromgoole got in touch to ask if I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/when-i-first-decided-to-take-off-the-tap-shoes-and-concentrate-on/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [I'm basically a writer of ideas, and the English aren't interested in ideas. The English, I'm afraid, are totally brainless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-wilson/i-m-basically-a-writer-of-ideas-and-the-english-aren-t-interested-in/) [Colin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-wilson/) > [“What's crucial is whether your writing attains the standards you've set for yourself. (...) Basically a writer has a quiet, inner motivation, and doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/what-s-crucial-is-whether-your-writing-attains-the-standards-you-ve/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I think the only directing I'd be any good at is theatre directing. It's the only thing I can see myself doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-think-the-only-directing-i-d-be-any-good-at-is-theatre-directing-it/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [I come from a working-class background and it wasn't in my world to be a writer - I had no direct access to those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-come-from-a-working-class-background-and-it-wasn-t-in-my-world-to/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I wouldn't not want to be a director and write as I wouldn't not to want to be a writer and direct movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-hill/i-wouldn-t-not-want-to-be-a-director-and-write-as-i-wouldn-t-not-to/) [Walter Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-hill/) > [You have to fire yourself as the writer when you direct something you've written. You have to fire yourself, or else you get precious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-schumacher/you-have-to-fire-yourself-as-the-writer-when-you-direct-something-you/) [Joel Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-schumacher/) > [When you come to my show, I want it to feel like opera, like a theatre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/when-you-come-to-my-show-i-want-it-to-feel-like-opera-like-a-theatre/) [The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/) > [There are two kinds of theatre, good and bad. Much as I should like to see theatre in America, I would rather have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-jones/there-are-two-kinds-of-theatre-good-and-bad-much-as-i-should-like-to/) Margo Jones > [When I'm finished with politics, I'll have a richer life. I'd like to go to the theatre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/when-i-m-finished-with-politics-i-ll-have-a-richer-life-i-d-like-to/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [“Life is like a theatre, but the question is not whether you are in the audience or on the stage but rather, are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-b-potts/life-is-like-a-theatre-but-the-question-is-not-whether-you-are-in-the/) A.B. Potts > [I would like to do theatre because it scares me, and I think you should do things that scare you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-james-collier/i-would-like-to-do-theatre-because-it-scares-me-and-i-think-you/) [Rob James-Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-james-collier/) > [Being in the pulpit, was like being in the theatre; I was behind the scenes and knew how the illusion worked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-baldwin/being-in-the-pulpit-was-like-being-in-the-theatre-i-was-behind-the/) [James A. Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-baldwin/) > [I like the theatre because you paint with broad strokes. To me the theatre is stretching its definition really far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajay-naidu/i-like-the-theatre-because-you-paint-with-broad-strokes-to-me-the/) [Ajay Naidu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajay-naidu/) > [I miss family and friends, and I'd like to get back to work more in Scotland, and do more things like theatre and 'Red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-curran/i-miss-family-and-friends-and-i-d-like-to-get-back-to-work-more-in/) [Tony Curran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-curran/) ## More by Garry Marshall > [I had never done a Director's Cut narration on Beaches so I did in time for the release of the DVD. It was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-had-never-done-a-director-s-cut-narration-on-beaches-so-i-did-in/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I played a lot of ball and got hurt, stitches and this and that. That, sometimes they said, built character. I don't think it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-played-a-lot-of-ball-and-got-hurt-stitches-and-this-and-that-that/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I started as a journalist actually. I graduated from Northwestern Medill School of Journalism and with my degree discovered, once out in the real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-started-as-a-journalist-actually-i-graduated-from-northwestern/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [My partner after Fred Freeman was Jerry Belson. And Jerry Belson, after I was doing so well writing situation comedy, said, this is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/my-partner-after-fred-freeman-was-jerry-belson-and-jerry-belson-after/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I like to get up in the morning and see people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-like-to-get-up-in-the-morning-and-see-people/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I don't sit well. I like to move around as I talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-don-t-sit-well-i-like-to-move-around-as-i-talk/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [It's always helpful to learn from your mistakes because then your mistakes seem worthwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/it-s-always-helpful-to-learn-from-your-mistakes-because-then-your/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I am a total believer of making the process a good time - make it memorable, have some fun, try to shoot high in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-am-a-total-believer-of-making-the-process-a-good-time-make-it/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [If you’ve got the comedy eye, you can look at any situation and see the humor in it while others don’t.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/if-you-ve-got-the-comedy-eye-you-can-look-at-any-situation-and-see/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I dont sit well. I like to move around as I talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-dont-sit-well-i-like-to-move-around-as-i-talk/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [Women are pretty good. Women usually fight about some stupid guy and then when they figure out it's just a stupid guy they make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/women-are-pretty-good-women-usually-fight-about-some-stupid-guy-and/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [You go to a theater now and you literally see parents watching the movie and they suddenly cover their kid's ears. I figured I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/you-go-to-a-theater-now-and-you-literally-see-parents-watching-the/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I directed fourteen movies. Every movie had Hector Elizondo. He didn't like Beaches. I don't know, it was originally not a happy movie at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-directed-fourteen-movies-every-movie-had-hector-elizondo-he-didn-t/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I think a lot of creative people have no sense of numbers and economics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-think-a-lot-of-creative-people-have-no-sense-of-numbers-and/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [Religion has a good place and it has its good people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/religion-has-a-good-place-and-it-has-its-good-people/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) [Explore all 54 Garry Marshall quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) ## More Direct quotes > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/anybody-can-direct-a-picture-once-they-know-the-fundamentals/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) > [The method of magnitude estimation provided a direct measure of sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-smith-stevens/the-method-of-magnitude-estimation-provided-a-direct-measure-of/) Stanley Smith Stevens > [A place has almost the shyness of a person, with strangers; and its secret is not to be surprised by a too direct interrogation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-place-has-almost-the-shyness-of-a-person-with-strangers-and-its/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [The prediction of nuclear winter is drawn not, of course, from any direct experience with the consequences of global nuclear war, but rather from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-prediction-of-nuclear-winter-is-drawn-not-of-course-from-any/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [I'm currently trying to direct my own material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-skerritt/i-m-currently-trying-to-direct-my-own-material/) [Tom Skerritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-skerritt/) > [By the time you get into other kinds of music - R&B, country, or whatever - it becomes something that's romantic. It becomes something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/by-the-time-you-get-into-other-kinds-of-music-r-b-country-or-whatever/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [If you take all the food aid, America is by far the most generous country. If you take the direct aid, we're very generous.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-take-all-the-food-aid-america-is-by-far-the-most-generous/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [They are the gateway for our modern esthetic development, the prophets of the new time. They are most of all, the primitives of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/they-are-the-gateway-for-our-modern-esthetic-development-the-prophets/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [I'm too direct and too unsparingly impatient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-m-too-direct-and-too-unsparingly-impatient/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [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/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Violence is what people do when they run out of good ideas. It's attractive because it's simple, it's direct, it's almost always available as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-s-a-corey/violence-is-what-people-do-when-they-run-out-of-good-ideas-it-s/) [James S.A. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-s-a-corey/) Browse all 3,391 Direct quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm basically a writer, it's who I am. I direct and I like theatre directing very much. 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