--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everything starts with what's on the…" description: "\"Everything starts with what's on the page, what a writer has come up with. And whether it is a big studio film or independent film, is the story being ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/joan-allen-15752_character_everything-starts-with-what-s-on-the-pag_2160781.jpg" --- # Everything starts with what's on the page, what a writer… ![“Everything starts with what's on the page, what a writer has come up with. And whether it is a big studio film or independent film, is the story being well told? Is it interesting? Is the character interesting? And is there something about the character that may stretch me?” quote by Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/joan-allen-15752_character_everything-starts-with-what-s-on-the-pag_2160781.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/joan-allen-15752_character_everything-starts-with-what-s-on-the-pag_2160781.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/joan-allen-15752_character_everything-starts-with-what-s-on-the-pag_2160781.jpg) > “Everything starts with what's on the page, what a writer has come up with. And whether it is a big studio film or independent film, is the story being well told? Is it interesting? Is the character interesting? And is there something about the character that may stretch me?” [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A story's quality depends on its narrative, characters, and ability to challenge the audience, regardless of budget. **In simple terms:** Good stories engage and stretch viewers. Key Takeaway Seek compelling, character‑driven narratives. Themes storytelling character quality audience engagement Mood inquisitive analytical Type critical educational When to use this quote - film criticism - script analysis - creative writing workshops - production meetings Key Concepts narrative structure character development artistic merit Questions to Reflect On - What makes a character truly interesting? - How does a story stretch you personally? A Different Perspective Big budgets don't guarantee depth; low‑budget films may lack resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-interesting-447947/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [Film Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film-independent-1519695/) [Film Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film-story-545072/) [Independent film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent-film/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Story Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story-told/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I love good film, whether it's an independent or studio film. The independent films, I think the good ones aren't necessarily eccentric ones but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mcconaughey/i-love-good-film-whether-it-s-an-independent-or-studio-film-the/) [Matthew McConaughey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mcconaughey/) > [All in all, I'd like to venture into film. Films are my staple diet, so I would love to be part of a feature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-weston-jones/all-in-all-i-d-like-to-venture-into-film-films-are-my-staple-diet-so/) [Tom Weston-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-weston-jones/) > [I think that the change began... I made a film a few years ago called The Spitfire Grill, and that didn't make much money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-burstyn/i-think-that-the-change-began-i-made-a-film-a-few-years-ago-called/) [Ellen Burstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-burstyn/) > [This fall I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm starring in a film, an independent film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-w-smith/this-fall-i-m-doing-something-i-ve-never-done-before-i-m-starring-in/) [Michael W. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-w-smith/) > [I'm just looking for the best story being told by the best people and the best part that I can find. If those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hawkes/i-m-just-looking-for-the-best-story-being-told-by-the-best-people-and/) [John Hawkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hawkes/) > [I'm honored to be asked by Stephanie Allain - whom I've long admired - to add to the scope of my programming purview at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/i-m-honored-to-be-asked-by-stephanie-allain-whom-i-ve-long-admired-to/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > [The story being told in 'Star Wars' is a classic one. Every few hundred years, the story is retold because we have a tendency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/the-story-being-told-in-star-wars-is-a-classic-one-every-few-hundred/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [But when 9/11 struck, I had a change of heart. I knew the story had to be told because what happened at 9/11 is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perkins/but-when-9-11-struck-i-had-a-change-of-heart-i-knew-the-story-had-to/) [John Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perkins/) > [I did a film when I was about 30; it's a coming of age story called 'Gas Food Lodging,' and I'm so proud of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-knepper/i-did-a-film-when-i-was-about-30-it-s-a-coming-of-age-story-called/) [Robert Knepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-knepper/) > [As with anything, you need to keep your creative juices flowing and keep the character interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-michelle-gellar/as-with-anything-you-need-to-keep-your-creative-juices-flowing-and/) [Sarah Michelle Gellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-michelle-gellar/) > [The darker the character, the more interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-carlyle/the-darker-the-character-the-more-interesting/) [Robert Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-carlyle/) > [As a character, it's very interesting to play someone who wants to change their life and have him change it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/as-a-character-it-s-very-interesting-to-play-someone-who-wants-to/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [I tend to like strong female characters. It just interests me dramatically. A strong male character isn't interesting because it has been done and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cameron/i-tend-to-like-strong-female-characters-it-just-interests-me/) [James Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cameron/) > [I mean, I do believe that when you walk on the stage, or onto the screen, that's your character - not you. So it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-horn/i-mean-i-do-believe-that-when-you-walk-on-the-stage-or-onto-the/) [Cody Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-horn/) > [The most I could hope for is to come and try and develop a character who is interesting, who is interesting to me, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-pino/the-most-i-could-hope-for-is-to-come-and-try-and-develop-a-character/) [Danny Pino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-pino/) ## More by Joan Allen > [I think plays deserve other interpretations. They should live on, and other people should should take their hand at them. I'm very supportive of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-think-plays-deserve-other-interpretations-they-should-live-on-and/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [I think the people who cast films tend to think of me in regard to strong women with integrity and a lot of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-think-the-people-who-cast-films-tend-to-think-of-me-in-regard-to/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [I wasn't one of those kids who was like, 'Get me to New York. Get me to a big city.' I was always much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-wasn-t-one-of-those-kids-who-was-like-get-me-to-new-york-get-me-to/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [It's important to really listen to the other person and have them feel like they're heard, to make sure the relationship feels equal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/it-s-important-to-really-listen-to-the-other-person-and-have-them/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [When I was 20 years old and first with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, we had an 88-seat theater in a basement and no money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/when-i-was-20-years-old-and-first-with-the-steppenwolf-theatre/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [Once I got to high school and auditioned for a play and got in, I thought this was really what I was looking for.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/once-i-got-to-high-school-and-auditioned-for-a-play-and-got-in-i/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [I don't have a political bone in my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-don-t-have-a-political-bone-in-my-body/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [I didn't really think about being a movie star. I was more about theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-didn-t-really-think-about-being-a-movie-star-i-was-more-about/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [I was a very good girl for a long time, that's what really drew me to acting. The stage was the perfect place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-was-a-very-good-girl-for-a-long-time-that-s-what-really-drew-me-to/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [There are not many things that can happen much worse to a family than having a member taken and not knowing what happened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/there-are-not-many-things-that-can-happen-much-worse-to-a-family-than/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [I think there's been a tendency to place me in what has been characterised as the 'moral centre' of the film. In films like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-think-there-s-been-a-tendency-to-place-me-in-what-has-been/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [Almost any film that you do is an opportunity to open you up and make you more aware of an area that you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/almost-any-film-that-you-do-is-an-opportunity-to-open-you-up-and-make/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [I'm pretty picky about plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-m-pretty-picky-about-plays/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [How do we escape who we are? I think, going to college, I felt freer. I loved the clean slate. I wasn't known as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/how-do-we-escape-who-we-are-i-think-going-to-college-i-felt-freer-i/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [Acting gave me the opportunity to do outrageous things. It allowed me to be sad, happy, angry and lustful even if it was just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/acting-gave-me-the-opportunity-to-do-outrageous-things-it-allowed-me/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) [Explore all 42 Joan Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [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/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everything starts with what's on the page, what a writer has come up with. 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