--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the pre-production process, I am…" description: "\"In the pre-production process, I am emailing with the actors or jumping on the phone, and we're sort of figuring out who the characters are and trying ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/joe-swanberg-15317_actor_in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-email_2092487.jpg" --- # In the pre-production process, I am emailing with the… ![“In the pre-production process, I am emailing with the actors or jumping on the phone, and we're sort of figuring out who the characters are and trying to build the relationship dynamic and things like that. Then, also, I am outlining.” quote by Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/joe-swanberg-15317_actor_in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-email_2092487.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/joe-swanberg-15317_actor_in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-email_2092487.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/joe-swanberg-15317_actor_in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-email_2092487.jpg) > “In the pre-production process, I am emailing with the actors or jumping on the phone, and we're sort of figuring out who the characters are and trying to build the relationship dynamic and things like that. Then, also, I am outlining.” [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. During pre‑production, creators collaborate with actors to define characters and dynamics, then outline the story structure **In simple terms:** Early collaboration shapes character relationships and story flow Key Takeaway Engage actors early to co‑create character depth and plot outline Themes film collaboration creativity process storytelling Mood enthusiastic inquisitive Type practical instructional When to use this quote - indie film shoots - workshop sessions - script meetings Key Concepts character development improvisation script outlining Questions to Reflect On - How much structure should be fixed before filming begins? - What balance between improvisation and outline yields the best film? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on improvisation can lead to unfocused narratives ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Often I'll find clues to where the story might go by figuring out where the characters would rather not go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-a-lawson/often-i-ll-find-clues-to-where-the-story-might-go-by-figuring-out/) Douglas A. Lawson > [I knew I wanted to play around with genre-esque imagery, and the identity theft stuff came in the middle, when I was figuring out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-chaon/i-knew-i-wanted-to-play-around-with-genre-esque-imagery-and-the/) [Dan Chaon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-chaon/) > [“The bad news is most of my books are ebooks and aren't for sale in brick-and-mortar bookstores. The good news is that most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-bad-news-is-most-of-my-books-are-ebooks-and-aren-t-for-sale-in/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Email is a mind-killer. Like, I really think getting a smartphone is the worst move I ever did in being a musician because while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-deacon/email-is-a-mind-killer-like-i-really-think-getting-a-smartphone-is/) [Dan Deacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-deacon/) > [Email helps me keep in touch with my family. I wouldn't know what my extended family was doing every day if we weren't emailing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/email-helps-me-keep-in-touch-with-my-family-i-wouldn-t-know-what-my/) [Mark Batterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-batterson/) > [Sometimes I will spend two or three days not speaking to anyone outside of the immediate family when they come home, and then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-enright/sometimes-i-will-spend-two-or-three-days-not-speaking-to-anyone/) [Anne Enright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-enright/) > [If you can run around the corner and say hello to someone do that instead of emailing. It's always more rewarding; the connection is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hiddleston/if-you-can-run-around-the-corner-and-say-hello-to-someone-do-that/) [Tom Hiddleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hiddleston/) > [“Though I have started emailing with one of my fellow readers whenever there's something important to say about Modern Family or Friday Night Lights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-bertsche/though-i-have-started-emailing-with-one-of-my-fellow-readers-whenever/) [Rachel Bertsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-bertsche/) > [Making movies has not only been an incredibly collaborative process but there's three big parts: pre-production, shooting itself and then post-production, which leads into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/making-movies-has-not-only-been-an-incredibly-collaborative-process/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [I was in the middle of filming Season 3 of 'Grace and Frankie.' Then the writing process for 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' was happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-vaughn/i-was-in-the-middle-of-filming-season-3-of-grace-and-frankie-then-the/) [Baron Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-vaughn/) > [I have become a full-fledged producer. I spend a lot of time on pre-production work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-gopal-varma/i-have-become-a-full-fledged-producer-i-spend-a-lot-of-time-on-pre/) [Ram Gopal Varma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-gopal-varma/) > [Hollywood has a longer pre-production period and they juggle shooting schedules more carefully for each cast. In Korea, we shoot day and night without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-byung-hun/hollywood-has-a-longer-pre-production-period-and-they-juggle-shooting/) [Lee Byung-hun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-byung-hun/) > [If you would ask me what my ideal process is, I would say, long pre-production, long production and long post-production.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-chan-wook/if-you-would-ask-me-what-my-ideal-process-is-i-would-say-long-pre/) [Park Chan-wook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-chan-wook/) > [Actors play a small part in all the things that go into the making of a movie. I want to know about pre-production, post-production,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nushrat-bharucha/actors-play-a-small-part-in-all-the-things-that-go-into-the-making-of/) [Nushrat Bharucha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nushrat-bharucha/) > [You could get in rehearsals, pre-production, anything that would actually contribute to the understanding of how a film gets made. I actually find those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/you-could-get-in-rehearsals-pre-production-anything-that-would/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) ## More by Joe Swanberg > [It's really easy to finish a movie and sort of immediately dive into the next one, because I love working with actors so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/it-s-really-easy-to-finish-a-movie-and-sort-of-immediately-dive-into/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I think there's been a gigantic shift in the way we talk to each other, and the way that we communicate with each other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-think-there-s-been-a-gigantic-shift-in-the-way-we-talk-to-each/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I want to communicate with people, and I want to make something that works, and that people like. I'm never purposefully trying to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-want-to-communicate-with-people-and-i-want-to-make-something-that/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [There are people I'm drawn to that you just can't do a tiny, no-budget movie with. I would like to pursue some of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/there-are-people-i-m-drawn-to-that-you-just-can-t-do-a-tiny-no-budget/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I'm usually two projects ahead. It's hard for me because I don't have a really long attention span.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-m-usually-two-projects-ahead-it-s-hard-for-me-because-i-don-t-have/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [During improvisations, I'll hear people bringing back up details from something I heard about at breakfast or something somebody was saying that they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/during-improvisations-i-ll-hear-people-bringing-back-up-details-from/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [My directing is really weird. Everything is based on whether it's working or not. I don't try to fix something if it's not working,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/my-directing-is-really-weird-everything-is-based-on-whether-it-s/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [For a lot of people, you get cramped making decisions together and living together and every other thing that starts to happen. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/for-a-lot-of-people-you-get-cramped-making-decisions-together-and/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I think in general I personally have a tendency to protect other people's feelings, and I've noticed that becomes a major hindrance to communication.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-think-in-general-i-personally-have-a-tendency-to-protect-other/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [My relationship with my wife is fraught with all of the problems that any couples face, but there is a sense of humor that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/my-relationship-with-my-wife-is-fraught-with-all-of-the-problems-that/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I'm a pretty hands-off director. I let people try things, and if it gets over-jokey, then I'll try and rein it in a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-m-a-pretty-hands-off-director-i-let-people-try-things-and-if-it/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I don't have an agent. I don't take meetings or anything like that, so I don't really know what's out there. I'm not closed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-don-t-have-an-agent-i-don-t-take-meetings-or-anything-like-that-so/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I learn a lot as a director from acting in other people's films and just in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-learn-a-lot-as-a-director-from-acting-in-other-people-s-films-and/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [I think I'll try to keep working in film for a little bit. There's something still kind of magical about it, that I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-think-i-ll-try-to-keep-working-in-film-for-a-little-bit-there-s/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [In the 10 years that I've been a professional filmmaker, the film part of the film industry is really disappearing, right in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/in-the-10-years-that-i-ve-been-a-professional-filmmaker-the-film-part/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) [Explore all 43 Joe Swanberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [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/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [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/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the pre-production process, I am emailing with the actors or jumping on the phone, and we're sort of figuring out who the characters are and trying to build the relationship dynamic and things like that. Then, also, I am outlining.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Swanberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-emailing-with-the-actors-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-emailing-with-the-actors-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/joe-swanberg-15317_actor_in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-email_2092487.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/joe-swanberg-15317_actor_in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-email_2092487.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/joe-swanberg-15317_actor_in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-email_2092487.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In the pre-production process, I am emailing with the actors or jumping on the phone, and we're sort of…” — Joe Swanberg", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joe Swanberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In the pre-production process, I am...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-emailing-with-the-actors-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/in-the-pre-production-process-i-am-emailing-with-the-actors-or/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```