--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was 16, I was in a film called…" description: "\"When I was 16, I was in a film called 'The Patriot.' I spent every second I could on the set watching the director and his team bring America circa 177..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/gregory-smith-30641_america_when-i-was-16-i-was-in-a-film-called-the_963309.jpg" --- # When I was 16, I was in a film called 'The Patriot.' I… ![“When I was 16, I was in a film called 'The Patriot.' I spent every second I could on the set watching the director and his team bring America circa 1775 to life. From that moment on, I was hooked.” quote by Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/gregory-smith-30641_america_when-i-was-16-i-was-in-a-film-called-the_963309.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/gregory-smith-30641_america_when-i-was-16-i-was-in-a-film-called-the_963309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/gregory-smith-30641_america_when-i-was-16-i-was-in-a-film-called-the_963309.jpg) > “When I was 16, I was in a film called 'The Patriot.' I spent every second I could on the set watching the director and his team bring America circa 1775 to life. From that moment on, I was hooked.” [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing a historical film set sparked a lifelong passion for filmmaking. **In simple terms:** A film set ignited a career passion. Key Takeaway Pursue creative inspiration from early experiences. Themes inspiration career film Mood enthusiastic reflective Type career creative When to use this quote - film school - internships - networking - creative projects Key Concepts creative spark career development historical storytelling Questions to Reflect On - What moments sparked your passion? - How can you sustain that drive? A Different Perspective Early exposure may not guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Patriot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriot/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) ## Related quotes > [This thing called Patriot Act, through which we abdicated a lot of our civil rights to defend the country against terrorism, it's a four-year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/this-thing-called-patriot-act-through-which-we-abdicated-a-lot-of-our/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [“According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, our country has been experiencing an “explosive growth in extremist-group activism across the United States” in recent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsalan-iftikhar/according-to-the-southern-poverty-law-center-our-country-has-been/) [Arsalan Iftikhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsalan-iftikhar/) > [You'd think after 8 years of things called 'The Patriot Act' and 'No Child Left Behind' they would know that we have figured out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-sparks/you-d-think-after-8-years-of-things-called-the-patriot-act-and-no/) [Hal Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-sparks/) > [I have a film called 'A Lonely Place For Dying,' which is the most watched film on the Internet, over 3 million hits, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cromwell/i-have-a-film-called-a-lonely-place-for-dying-which-is-the-most/) [James Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cromwell/) > [I'm writing a film called 'Bug.' It's an original script, and it's not about killer insects. It's a thriller set in a high school.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-craven/i-m-writing-a-film-called-bug-it-s-an-original-script-and-it-s-not/) [Wes Craven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-craven/) > [I booked a horror film called 'Where the Devil Hides.' It's... you know, a horror film. But it was the first full-length movie I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alycia-debnam-carey/i-booked-a-horror-film-called-where-the-devil-hides-it-s-you-know-a/) [Alycia Debnam-Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alycia-debnam-carey/) > [We did a film called 'Kes,' which is about a lad with a talent that nobody can recognise, or that nobody chose to recognise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-loach/we-did-a-film-called-kes-which-is-about-a-lad-with-a-talent-that/) [Ken Loach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-loach/) > [I had intended to make another film, called Pocket Money, which was to be about children at a school. I was very much intrigued…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbas-kiarostami/i-had-intended-to-make-another-film-called-pocket-money-which-was-to/) [Abbas Kiarostami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbas-kiarostami/) > [I made this movie for $40,000, which was this little black-and-white horror film called Dementia 13, which we made in about nine days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-made-this-movie-for-40-000-which-was-this-little-black-and-white/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [I don't believe there is something called 'film' and something called 'theater,' and that words belong in the theater. Some rather bad films have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-don-t-believe-there-is-something-called-film-and-something-called/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I'm a fan of Olivia Colman, so when I saw she was in a short film called 'The Karman Line' I had to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-rowsell/i-m-a-fan-of-olivia-colman-so-when-i-saw-she-was-in-a-short-film/) [Ellie Rowsell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-rowsell/) > [The first film I was in was called 'Straight Time.' I was five-years old, and I was playing my father's son.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-busey/the-first-film-i-was-in-was-called-straight-time-i-was-five-years-old/) [Jake Busey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-busey/) > [I watched a film called 'Earthlings' years ago and it helped to upset me into veganism, so I thought what I could do was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-amstell/i-watched-a-film-called-earthlings-years-ago-and-it-helped-to-upset/) [Simon Amstell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-amstell/) > [I've just directed a film called The Great Debaters, which is inspired by a true story about a young college debating team in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ve-just-directed-a-film-called-the-great-debaters-which-is-inspired/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I watched a film called 'Elephant' recently. Its not stylish in the sense of expensive suits and Italian cars, but the styling on every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinie-tempah/i-watched-a-film-called-elephant-recently-its-not-stylish-in-the/) [Tinie Tempah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinie-tempah/) ## More by Gregory Smith > [Some projects feel like the stars are aligning for them from the very beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/some-projects-feel-like-the-stars-are-aligning-for-them-from-the-very/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [I'll tell you one big misconception. Cops never say 'Freeze!' It might be misinterpreted. They might think you were, like, ordering fries. Or that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/i-ll-tell-you-one-big-misconception-cops-never-say-freeze-it-might-be/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [I've gone through several cycles. When I was little, I was the cute kid with missing teeth and funny one-liners. Then I moved on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/i-ve-gone-through-several-cycles-when-i-was-little-i-was-the-cute-kid/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [It's hard to reinvent the wheel with a cop show. But 'Rookie Blue' has a pure emotional center that's not cynical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/it-s-hard-to-reinvent-the-wheel-with-a-cop-show-but-rookie-blue-has-a/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [I didn't watch a lot of cop shows growing up, but I am a huge fan of 'Southland' now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/i-didn-t-watch-a-lot-of-cop-shows-growing-up-but-i-am-a-huge-fan-of/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [A couple of my favourite cop movies are 'I Love a Man in Uniform' and 'The Long Goodbye.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/a-couple-of-my-favourite-cop-movies-are-i-love-a-man-in-uniform-and/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [I don't have a cell phone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/i-don-t-have-a-cell-phone/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [The character I played on 'Everwood' was so serious and melancholic that after doing it for four years, it really started affecting my soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/the-character-i-played-on-everwood-was-so-serious-and-melancholic/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [We've all been there, right? When you meet someone personally and then you find yourself working with them professionally, it's awkward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/we-ve-all-been-there-right-when-you-meet-someone-personally-and-then/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [Acting is such a strange thing, it's different for everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/acting-is-such-a-strange-thing-it-s-different-for-everybody/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [I'm not a very good interview, usually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/i-m-not-a-very-good-interview-usually/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [I drive an old Camaro that I got when I was 16. And I've been known to do stupid things with my time, like Friendster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/i-drive-an-old-camaro-that-i-got-when-i-was-16-and-i-ve-been-known-to/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [That's basically how I learned everything as an actor. I was just a kid, and I worked with these actors, and I'd ask them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/that-s-basically-how-i-learned-everything-as-an-actor-i-was-just-a/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [My career will come full cycle one day when I play the father of a cute little kid missing teeth who spouts one-liners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/my-career-will-come-full-cycle-one-day-when-i-play-the-father-of-a/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [I backpacked all around the world and kind of found myself. Then I settled back in L.A. and found 'Rookie Blue.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/i-backpacked-all-around-the-world-and-kind-of-found-myself-then-i/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) [Explore all 17 Gregory Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was 16, I was in a film called 'The Patriot.' I spent every second I could on the set watching the director and his team bring America circa 1775 to life. 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