Bad Quote by James Ivory
“You can just start shooting things and see how it goes. But time is still money, so you have to know when you are finished. It's not like painting a picture which you could go on refining for 20 years - with a film you have to stop at some point, and that is no bad thing.”
About This Quote
Source Film: The Remains of the Day (1993) interview
Balancing creative experimentation with practical constraints; knowing when to finish a project.
In simple terms: Start, but stop when needed.
Key Takeaway
Finish before perfection stalls progress.
Themes
creativity
discipline
production
Mood
pragmatic
reflective
Type
advice
industry
When to use this quote
- film directing
- software development
- writing
- product design
Key Concepts
project management
artistic process
Questions to Reflect On
- When does iteration become diminishing returns?
- How to set clear end‑points?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on speed can sacrifice quality.
