--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Filmmaking in general is about feeling…" description: "\"Filmmaking in general is about feeling and not about theory. You need to know a lot of rules about filmmaking: character development, grammar, and all ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/hany-abu-assad-34455_asks_filmmaking-in-general-is-about-feeling-a_1513929.jpg" --- # Filmmaking in general is about feeling and not about… ![“Filmmaking in general is about feeling and not about theory. You need to know a lot of rules about filmmaking: character development, grammar, and all these thing, but then you use it instinctively. I ask myself this question all the time. I have no solid theory, I just do what I feel is right.” quote by Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/hany-abu-assad-34455_asks_filmmaking-in-general-is-about-feeling-a_1513929.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/hany-abu-assad-34455_asks_filmmaking-in-general-is-about-feeling-a_1513929.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/hany-abu-assad-34455_asks_filmmaking-in-general-is-about-feeling-a_1513929.jpg) > “Filmmaking in general is about feeling and not about theory. You need to know a lot of rules about filmmaking: character development, grammar, and all these thing, but then you use it instinctively. I ask myself this question all the time. I have no solid theory, I just do what I feel is right.” [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Filmmaking relies on instinct and feeling more than rigid theory; knowledge serves as a guide, not a rulebook. **In simple terms:** Feelings guide filmmaking more than strict rules. Key Takeaway Trust intuition while learning fundamentals. Themes creativity instinct film theory practice learning intuition Mood inspirational thoughtful Type artistic practical When to use this quote - directing a scene - script development - on‑set decisions Key Concepts artistic expression skill development personal style Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance knowledge and instinct? - When does instinct override learned technique? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on theory can stifle originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-development/) [Development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/development/) [Feeling Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-theory-5579537/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Filmmaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaking/) [Filmmaking Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaking-character-1054971/) [Filmmaking General](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaking-general-3363176/) [Grammar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grammar/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Rules Filmmaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-filmmaking-1155644/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [The holy trifecta of directing and filmmaking is character emotion, camera movement and music. When you hit those three, that's magical. That's what I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-russell/the-holy-trifecta-of-directing-and-filmmaking-is-character-emotion/) [David O. Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-russell/) > [There are no rules in filmmaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/there-are-no-rules-in-filmmaking/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [The biggest lesson that I have learnt from everyone is that there are no rules in filmmaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nandita-das/the-biggest-lesson-that-i-have-learnt-from-everyone-is-that-there-are/) [Nandita Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nandita-das/) > [There are no rules in filmmaking. Only sins. And the cardinal sin is dullness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/there-are-no-rules-in-filmmaking-only-sins-and-the-cardinal-sin-is/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [With filmmaking in general, I have never absorbed the traditional knowledge of film history or filmmaking. It has always been just pick up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mccary/with-filmmaking-in-general-i-have-never-absorbed-the-traditional/) [Dave McCary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mccary/) > [Filmmaking in general is my second career. I thought that writing wasn't practical, so I went to business school and got an MBA, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/filmmaking-in-general-is-my-second-career-i-thought-that-writing-wasn/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [You know, the great thing about acting or, indeed, filmmaking in general, is that we're all given a reason to do research. You kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-huston/you-know-the-great-thing-about-acting-or-indeed-filmmaking-in-general/) [Danny Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-huston/) > [Filmmaking in general is just really where I'm putting all of my energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/filmmaking-in-general-is-just-really-where-i-m-putting-all-of-my/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [As much as my primary vocation is that of an actor, if anything, I feel like I am more excited about filmmaking in general,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elijah-wood/as-much-as-my-primary-vocation-is-that-of-an-actor-if-anything-i-feel/) [Elijah Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elijah-wood/) > [“I am really excited about the Gemini Ascending series. If like me, you never wanted 'Game of Thrones' or 'Lord of the Rings' to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-john-terranova/i-am-really-excited-about-the-gemini-ascending-series-if-like-me-you/) [Mark John Terranova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-john-terranova/) > [“A relationship built on lies and trickery will not last; only truthfulness can uphold a relationship”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idowu-koyenikan/a-relationship-built-on-lies-and-trickery-will-not-last-only/) [idowu koyenikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idowu-koyenikan/) > [“Perfection should generally be avoided in a character. Real people, such as your readers, aren’t flawless and chances are they are not going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-hart/perfection-should-generally-be-avoided-in-a-character-real-people/) [Craig Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-hart/) > [I feel that Pride and Prejudice is an incredibly well constructed novel on every level. The dialogue is great. The character development is great.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/i-feel-that-pride-and-prejudice-is-an-incredibly-well-constructed/) [Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/) > [I was looking for something that, was different and that would challenge me in a different way, that was fun and people I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilie-de-ravin/i-was-looking-for-something-that-was-different-and-that-would/) [Emilie De Ravin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilie-de-ravin/) > [“It is hardly necessary to stress the fact that the ability to love as an act of giving depends on the character development of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/it-is-hardly-necessary-to-stress-the-fact-that-the-ability-to-love-as/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## More by Hany Abu-Assad > [Most of us want to live in harmony and peace and be good to others. Right now, however, the world is in a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/most-of-us-want-to-live-in-harmony-and-peace-and-be-good-to-others/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [As a filmmaker, you take reality and you tell a story from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/as-a-filmmaker-you-take-reality-and-you-tell-a-story-from-it/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [A movie should entertain you in a way that will also open your mind. I think movies are tools to enrich your experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/a-movie-should-entertain-you-in-a-way-that-will-also-open-your-mind-i/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [When I was younger, I did dark movies. It was a reflection of what I saw around me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/when-i-was-younger-i-did-dark-movies-it-was-a-reflection-of-what-i/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [This is what art can do in our time. Unite people, and give them hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/this-is-what-art-can-do-in-our-time-unite-people-and-give-them-hope/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [Humanity has survived because the strong among us have, in the past, been obliged to help the weak. Without this, we would not survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/humanity-has-survived-because-the-strong-among-us-have-in-the-past/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [The casting is very simple actually, but it is very important. You choose the best actor for the role, and you test them and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/the-casting-is-very-simple-actually-but-it-is-very-important-you/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [Politics is different than movies. Politics are controlled by leaders. Leaders of every country have different interests. And they try to explain to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/politics-is-different-than-movies-politics-are-controlled-by-leaders/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [You need a visualization of the outside obstacle and what can be better than a wall. For the Palestinians it means a division from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/you-need-a-visualization-of-the-outside-obstacle-and-what-can-be/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [I feel like my job is to give hope. The world is in a dark place and we are living in somewhat of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/i-feel-like-my-job-is-to-give-hope-the-world-is-in-a-dark-place-and/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [I don't read the news anymore because I know it would make me depressed. So instead, I make beauty. I make movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/i-don-t-read-the-news-anymore-because-i-know-it-would-make-me/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [I like movies that deal with trapped men. Men that need to make choices that are not obvious or easy choices. Then how do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/i-like-movies-that-deal-with-trapped-men-men-that-need-to-make/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [As a human being, I will always feel that where there is oppression, I am with the underdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/as-a-human-being-i-will-always-feel-that-where-there-is-oppression-i/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) [Explore all 14 Hany Abu-Assad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. 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If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) [Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Filmmaking in general is about feeling and not about theory. You need to know a lot of rules about filmmaking: character development, grammar, and all these thing, but then you use it instinctively. I ask myself this question all the time. 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