--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Chris Nolan went through Slamdance a year…" description: "\"Chris Nolan went through Slamdance a year and a half after us, and he went on to direct 'The Dark Knight.' So the joke now is if you want to make super..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c36/joe-russo-10579_comic_chris-nolan-went-through-slamdance-a-yea_90668.jpg" --- # Chris Nolan went through Slamdance a year and a half after… ![“Chris Nolan went through Slamdance a year and a half after us, and he went on to direct 'The Dark Knight.' So the joke now is if you want to make superhero movies, that's where you have to go.” quote by Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c36/joe-russo-10579_comic_chris-nolan-went-through-slamdance-a-yea_90668.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c36/joe-russo-10579_comic_chris-nolan-went-through-slamdance-a-yea_90668.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c36/joe-russo-10579_comic_chris-nolan-went-through-slamdance-a-yea_90668.jpg) > “Chris Nolan went through Slamdance a year and a half after us, and he went on to direct 'The Dark Knight.' So the joke now is if you want to make superhero movies, that's where you have to go.” [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The anecdote illustrates how early exposure to a modest festival can launch a career to mainstream blockbuster success, especially in genre filmmaking. **In simple terms:** Small festivals can be springboards Key Takeaway Start small, aim big Themes career trajectory film industry indie vs mainstream opportunity networking Mood inspirational optimistic Type industry motivational When to use this quote - film school - indie festival - pitch meeting - studio exec encounter Key Concepts strategy risk vision Practical Applications - career planning - industry mentorship Questions to Reflect On - What factors turn a festival debut into a major studio deal? - How does genre choice influence career paths? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke/) [Movies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movies/) [Superhero Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superhero-movie/) ## Related quotes > [AVENGERS was not even TOP 5 superhero movies 4 me. Sorry. My favorites are DARK KNIGHT & now I can add THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN. It was epic!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahj-mowry/avengers-was-not-even-top-5-superhero-movies-4-me-sorry-my-favorites/) [Tahj Mowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahj-mowry/) > [I don't know, I'll probably make the first superhero movie that bombs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-weinstein/i-don-t-know-i-ll-probably-make-the-first-superhero-movie-that-bombs/) [Harvey Weinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-weinstein/) > [If I can make a dance-based movie like 'ABCD', then I was sure I could make a superhero movie, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remo-d-souza/if-i-can-make-a-dance-based-movie-like-abcd-then-i-was-sure-i-could/) [Remo D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remo-d-souza/) > [I loved superhero movies growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simu-liu/i-loved-superhero-movies-growing-up/) [Simu Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simu-liu/) > [Marvel and Disney and all the other superhero movies have to stay within this box and this is an opportunity to jump outside that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wernick/marvel-and-disney-and-all-the-other-superhero-movies-have-to-stay/) [Paul Wernick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wernick/) > [I wasn't a huge fan of superhero movies before I watched 'Wonder Woman.' That was a really cool film - I really like all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigrid/i-wasn-t-a-huge-fan-of-superhero-movies-before-i-watched-wonder-woman/) [Sigrid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigrid/) > [Superhero movies are so famous because of the metaphor that they trigger in one's self about who you could be if things were different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-jenkins/superhero-movies-are-so-famous-because-of-the-metaphor-that-they/) [Patty Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-jenkins/) > [I enjoy watching superhero movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-evans/i-enjoy-watching-superhero-movies/) [Gareth Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-evans/) > [I hate evil people in superhero movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-evil-people-in-superhero-movies/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To me, superhero movies are like Greek myth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-jenkins/to-me-superhero-movies-are-like-greek-myth/) [Patty Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-jenkins/) > [I'm excited that 'The Good Guy' is getting distribution because indie movies they're not - people ran out of money and they're not making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-greenberg/i-m-excited-that-the-good-guy-is-getting-distribution-because-indie/) [Bryan Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-greenberg/) > [I gotta be honest, the majority of superhero movies that I've seen, I think we do a really good job establishing a romance. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-evans/i-gotta-be-honest-the-majority-of-superhero-movies-that-i-ve-seen-i/) [Chris Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-evans/) > [The mythos of superheroes is our mythos today. They are American myths. 'Captain America,' 'Iron Man,' 'Hulk' - these are the biggest movies in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harbour/the-mythos-of-superheroes-is-our-mythos-today-they-are-american-myths/) [David Harbour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harbour/) > [There are as many great superhero movies as there are comedies and dramas and cartoons. People just want to see good movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/there-are-as-many-great-superhero-movies-as-there-are-comedies-and/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [I always watch superhero movies, and I like the action and the fighting and all the different kinds of powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dakota-goyo/i-always-watch-superhero-movies-and-i-like-the-action-and-the/) [Dakota Goyo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dakota-goyo/) ## More by Joe Russo > [There's nothing I hate more than going to see a movie and thinking, 'That could have been an hour shorter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/there-s-nothing-i-hate-more-than-going-to-see-a-movie-and-thinking/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [First favorite character growing up was Spider-Man, second was Wolverine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/first-favorite-character-growing-up-was-spider-man-second-was/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [We like existentially wacky characters who exist in existential crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/we-like-existentially-wacky-characters-who-exist-in-existential-crisis/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [Being a global citizen makes you a more interesting person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/being-a-global-citizen-makes-you-a-more-interesting-person/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [I think there's a lot of people in their dingy boats in the middle of the ocean pining for the days of closed-ended narrative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/i-think-there-s-a-lot-of-people-in-their-dingy-boats-in-the-middle-of/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [I sat in a theater when I was 11 years old and watched 'The Empire Strikes Back' from 10 in the morning until 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/i-sat-in-a-theater-when-i-was-11-years-old-and-watched-the-empire/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [Heroes are a way to remove yourself from what may be difficult concepts to talk about in your life. They're a way to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/heroes-are-a-way-to-remove-yourself-from-what-may-be-difficult/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [As filmmakers, we love ambitious storytelling; it's one of the reasons we pushed to do 'Civil War.' We want to be as ambitious in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/as-filmmakers-we-love-ambitious-storytelling-it-s-one-of-the-reasons/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [I like acting a lot, but it's not something I get out of bed for every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/i-like-acting-a-lot-but-it-s-not-something-i-get-out-of-bed-for-every/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [With a character called Captain , you have to address the concept of who he is because his identity is tied to his country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/with-a-character-called-captain-you-have-to-address-the-concept-of/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [Disney represents the future of filmmaking in North America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/disney-represents-the-future-of-filmmaking-in-north-america/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [We began in indies, and maybe we'll make another smaller film again sometime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/we-began-in-indies-and-maybe-we-ll-make-another-smaller-film-again/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [As filmmakers, we are interested in unique voices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/as-filmmakers-we-are-interested-in-unique-voices/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [There's always loose points that people bring up, which is great, and I think that's why you read criticism is because you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/there-s-always-loose-points-that-people-bring-up-which-is-great-and-i/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [I find that when I watch films where the villain is more complex, I find that it makes the heroes more complex and ultimately,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/i-find-that-when-i-watch-films-where-the-villain-is-more-complex-i/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) [Explore all 64 Joe Russo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) ## More Comic quotes > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I always loved as a kid reading 'Spider-Man,' and the 'Fantastic Four' would show up... it was all about that larger universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-reed/i-always-loved-as-a-kid-reading-spider-man-and-the-fantastic-four/) [Peyton Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-reed/) > [One of the key characteristics of the comic book medium is that it is not brought to life by just one voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-key-characteristics-of-the-comic-book-medium-is-that-it-is/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-identify-with-superman-i-am-adopted-i-am-an-only-child-and-i-love/) [Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/) > [Before World War II, I was living a very cloistered existence, as most cartoonists do. The work I was pouring out did not come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-eisner/before-world-war-ii-i-was-living-a-very-cloistered-existence-as-most/) [Will Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-eisner/) > [If you look at Marvel Comics, there are very few Marvel characters I would like to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-ennis/if-you-look-at-marvel-comics-there-are-very-few-marvel-characters-i/) [Garth Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-ennis/) > [The big problem for comic art is you don't want to overwork it. If a drawing is overworked it isn't funny. It's the spontaneity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sorel/the-big-problem-for-comic-art-is-you-don-t-want-to-overwork-it-if-a/) [Edward Sorel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sorel/) > [Leslie Stein's comics give readers privileged access to a complete and wholly original world of gently skewed wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/leslie-stein-s-comics-give-readers-privileged-access-to-a-complete/) [Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/) > [I've certainly seen a lot of my cartoonist friends embrace 'Little Lulu' in a much deeper way because their kids love it so much.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/i-ve-certainly-seen-a-lot-of-my-cartoonist-friends-embrace-little/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Batman doesn't have any superpowers. He's not superhuman. He's not super. So therefore he can't be a superhero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-silvey/batman-doesn-t-have-any-superpowers-he-s-not-superhuman-he-s-not/) [Craig Silvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-silvey/) > [When I was writing 'Black Panther,' on one level, I was angry because DC would never let me write 'Batman,' so I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-priest/when-i-was-writing-black-panther-on-one-level-i-was-angry-because-dc/) [Christopher Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-priest/) > [I was really into the first 'Spider-Man' films with Tobey Maguire, so it's pretty cool how it all came full circle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-batalon/i-was-really-into-the-first-spider-man-films-with-tobey-maguire-so-it/) [Jacob Batalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-batalon/) > [Most men are secretly still mad at their mothers for throwing away their comic books. They would be valuable now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/most-men-are-secretly-still-mad-at-their-mothers-for-throwing-away/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [I'll only diet for a Marvel movie. I will give up bacon and waffles to be Storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-james/i-ll-only-diet-for-a-marvel-movie-i-will-give-up-bacon-and-waffles-to/) [Janelle James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-james/) > [You've seen the first issue and what happened in the last page. Some pretty awful stuff. I don't know why I seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/you-ve-seen-the-first-issue-and-what-happened-in-the-last-page-some/) [Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/) [Browse all 5,841 Comic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Chris Nolan went through Slamdance a year and a half after us, and he went on to direct 'The Dark Knight.' 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