--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You would be surprised how many directors…" description: "\"You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see it, they might know what they wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/ian-mckellen-1396_actors_you-would-be-surprised-how-many-director_522188.jpg" --- # You would be surprised how many directors don't know what… ![“You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see it, they might know what they want but no idea how to get it out of the actor, then you've both got a problem.” quote by Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/ian-mckellen-1396_actors_you-would-be-surprised-how-many-director_522188.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/ian-mckellen-1396_actors_you-would-be-surprised-how-many-director_522188.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/ian-mckellen-1396_actors_you-would-be-surprised-how-many-director_522188.jpg) > “You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see it, they might know what they want but no idea how to get it out of the actor, then you've both got a problem.” [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Directors often lack clarity on their vision, leading to communication breakdowns with actors and stalled projects. **In simple terms:** Directors can be unclear about their goals, causing problems with actors. Key Takeaway Clarify vision early and communicate clearly with actors. Themes communication leadership creativity film production Mood frustrated hopeful determined Type advice observational When to use this quote - pre‑production meetings - script workshops - rehearsals - storyboarding Key Concepts vision direction actor‑director dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can directors ensure actors understand the vision? - What tools help align creative teams? A Different Perspective Even with clear vision, actors may interpret differently, requiring flexibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I do like being surprised by directors and producers and being offered parts I would never have considered, including parts that aren't necessarily obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/i-do-like-being-surprised-by-directors-and-producers-and-being/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [I am impatient with directors who don't know what they want, and the way you don't know what they want is because they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/i-am-impatient-with-directors-who-don-t-know-what-they-want-and-the/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [You can't ask for what you want unless you know what it is. A lot of people don't know what they want or they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/you-can-t-ask-for-what-you-want-unless-you-know-what-it-is-a-lot-of/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [I come from Nova Scotia, and I'd never seen a theater or been inside of a theater. When I was 17, my dad asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-sutherland/i-come-from-nova-scotia-and-i-d-never-seen-a-theater-or-been-inside/) [Donald Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-sutherland/) > [I just loved the whole idea of being an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-macfadyen/i-just-loved-the-whole-idea-of-being-an-actor/) [Matthew Macfadyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-macfadyen/) > [The idea was to become an actor. Then I found I really didn't like acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lycett/the-idea-was-to-become-an-actor-then-i-found-i-really-didn-t-like/) [Joe Lycett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lycett/) > [And I was very shy as a kid; if you sang me 'Happy Birthday,' I would cry. Quite shy. So the idea of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-horn/and-i-was-very-shy-as-a-kid-if-you-sang-me-happy-birthday-i-would-cry/) [Cody Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-horn/) > [I don't see a difference between the idea of what an actor does and what someone supposes a character actor is, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stuhlbarg/i-don-t-see-a-difference-between-the-idea-of-what-an-actor-does-and/) [Michael Stuhlbarg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stuhlbarg/) > [I can't think of anything worse than trying to schmooze someone with the idea that you're an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-think-of-anything-worse-than-trying-to-schmooze-someone-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The idea of an actor is that you should be able to play anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-atkins/the-idea-of-an-actor-is-that-you-should-be-able-to-play-anything/) [Eileen Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-atkins/) > [I was entirely wrapped up in the idea of becoming an actor. I learned how to write on the job, basically out of necessity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-howerton/i-was-entirely-wrapped-up-in-the-idea-of-becoming-an-actor-i-learned/) [Glenn Howerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-howerton/) > [I was raised in the theater and I started acting when I was nine. To me, the idea of being an actor was about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-knepper/i-was-raised-in-the-theater-and-i-started-acting-when-i-was-nine-to/) [Robert Knepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-knepper/) > [When I was younger, I had no idea that I would be an actor. I had an interest in it, but I never actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/when-i-was-younger-i-had-no-idea-that-i-would-be-an-actor-i-had-an/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [Once I won the roles in 'Spender' and 'First Knight' it was much easier for everyone, me included, to get their heads around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-ineson/once-i-won-the-roles-in-spender-and-first-knight-it-was-much-easier/) [Ralph Ineson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-ineson/) > [ One of my career ambitions was fulfilled working with John \[Hurt\]. I loved his work long before I ever had the idea of being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/one-of-my-career-ambitions-was-fulfilled-working-with-john-hurt-i/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) ## More by Ian Mckellen > [I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-acting-to-be-popular-no-actor/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [It's my impression that I've done every job that I've been asked to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/it-s-my-impression-that-i-ve-done-every-job-that-i-ve-been-asked-to-do/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'm fortunate to be famous for two rather imposing characters like Magneto and Gandalf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-m-fortunate-to-be-famous-for-two-rather-imposing-characters-like/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Tolkien is as good as Dickens at sketching a scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/tolkien-is-as-good-as-dickens-at-sketching-a-scene/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. It's all laid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/if-you-are-playing-king-lear-you-are-the-centre-of-attention-anyway/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Godot is whatever it is in life that you are waiting for: 'I'm waiting to win the lottery. I'm waiting to fall in love'.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/godot-is-whatever-it-is-in-life-that-you-are-waiting-for-i-m-waiting/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'm only an actor. I'm not a writer. I'm not going to leave any legacy. All I've ever done is learn the lines and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-m-only-an-actor-i-m-not-a-writer-i-m-not-going-to-leave-any-legacy/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'd never read 'Lord of the Rings' until I was asked to play Gandalf, so I didn't really know it was a frightfully famous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-d-never-read-lord-of-the-rings-until-i-was-asked-to-play-gandalf-so/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [You might be surprised by how interested young people are in older people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/you-might-be-surprised-by-how-interested-young-people-are-in-older/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [The strength of British theatre should be that these actors in their middle years know what they're doing and are good at it. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-strength-of-british-theatre-should-be-that-these-actors-in-their/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Until I came out, my acting was all about disguise, and thereafter it became about telling the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/until-i-came-out-my-acting-was-all-about-disguise-and-thereafter-it/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Elijah looks angelic but his beauty of spirit is what makes his Frodo leap out of the screen. Unalloyed goodness is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/elijah-looks-angelic-but-his-beauty-of-spirit-is-what-makes-his-frodo/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > ['The Lego Movie?' I've never heard of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-lego-movie-i-ve-never-heard-of-it/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [When I appeared in 'Coronation Street,' I lived in Manchester and enjoyed it very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/when-i-appeared-in-coronation-street-i-lived-in-manchester-and/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef - but that's only when people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/before-acting-i-wanted-to-become-a-journalist-i-also-toyed-with-the/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) [Explore all 247 Ian Mckellen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/) [Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/) > [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) [Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. 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