--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everyone who makes a film is at the major…" description: "\"Everyone who makes a film is at the major distributors' mercy.\" — John Cassavetes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/john-cassavetes-12820_cinema_everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-majo_1344270.jpg" --- # Everyone who makes a film is at the major distributors'… ![“Everyone who makes a film is at the major distributors' mercy.” quote by John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/john-cassavetes-12820_cinema_everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-majo_1344270.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/john-cassavetes-12820_cinema_everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-majo_1344270.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/john-cassavetes-12820_cinema_everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-majo_1344270.jpg) > “Everyone who makes a film is at the major distributors' mercy.” [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Filmmakers depend on distributors for reach, limiting creative control and financial success. **In simple terms:** Distributors hold power over films. Key Takeaway Seek diverse distribution channels. Themes industry dynamics power creativity Mood analytical pragmatic Type critical informative When to use this quote - indie festivals - online platforms - crowdfunding - studio deals Key Concepts Film economics artistic autonomy market forces Questions to Reflect On - How can filmmakers retain control while reaching audiences? - What strategies expand distribution without compromising vision? A Different Perspective Alternative distribution may reduce visibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) ## Related quotes > [I was a film major with a concentration in animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-macfarlane/i-was-a-film-major-with-a-concentration-in-animation/) [Seth MacFarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-macfarlane/) > [I was a film major.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-bledel/i-was-a-film-major/) [Alexis Bledel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-bledel/) > [Feature film can have a major role in explaining ideas and describing peoples' lives and their struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bannon/feature-film-can-have-a-major-role-in-explaining-ideas-and-describing/) [Steve Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bannon/) > [When I originally entered UCLA, I had planned to go for a film major, but I kept finding myself taking math classes for fun,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danica-mckellar/when-i-originally-entered-ucla-i-had-planned-to-go-for-a-film-major/) [Danica McKellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danica-mckellar/) > [I went to Oberlin College, and they don't have a film major, but they do have what's called an individual major, where you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/i-went-to-oberlin-college-and-they-don-t-have-a-film-major-but-they/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [I was a film major because, for some reason, I thought that that was a creative job that had more job opportunities. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitski/i-was-a-film-major-because-for-some-reason-i-thought-that-that-was-a/) [Mitski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitski/) > [I was doing nuclear med I didn't like it. My first semester I switched to film major. YouTube helped make that decision for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-higa/i-was-doing-nuclear-med-i-didn-t-like-it-my-first-semester-i-switched/) [Ryan Higa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-higa/) > [Most people don't really understand what it takes to get a film made, and the struggles .I think anyone who makes a film goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-broccoli/most-people-don-t-really-understand-what-it-takes-to-get-a-film-made/) [Barbara Broccoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-broccoli/) > [If films could run because of performances, everybody's films would do well. It is the director who makes the film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharmila-tagore/if-films-could-run-because-of-performances-everybody-s-films-would-do/) [Sharmila Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharmila-tagore/) > [“For one never makes a film out of nothing. To shoot a film is always to shoot something, be it fiction or reality, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-rohmer/for-one-never-makes-a-film-out-of-nothing-to-shoot-a-film-is-always/) [Eric Rohmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-rohmer/) > [I was speaking to Ridley Scott the other day and he makes a film every 18 months. He's amazing really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-lyne/i-was-speaking-to-ridley-scott-the-other-day-and-he-makes-a-film/) [Adrian Lyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-lyne/) > [Most people don't really understand what it takes to get a film made, and the struggles. I think anyone who makes a film goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-broccoli/most-people-don-t-really-understand-what-it-takes-to-get-a-film-made-2/) [Barbara Broccoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-broccoli/) > [I always want another actor to shine in my scene because it makes the film stronger. I would encourage people to scene steal, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-diesel/i-always-want-another-actor-to-shine-in-my-scene-because-it-makes-the/) [Vin Diesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-diesel/) > [I've heard directing talked about as being a benign dictatorship, and I think that's probably the best way a director should be. They're open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-ve-heard-directing-talked-about-as-being-a-benign-dictatorship-and/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [I only want to make movies that I believe in, that I care about and that mean something to me. At the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake-doremus/i-only-want-to-make-movies-that-i-believe-in-that-i-care-about-and/) [Drake Doremus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake-doremus/) ## More by John Cassavetes > [I think I probably have the philosophy of a poor man. You know, like maybe I'd steal the pennies off a dead man's eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-think-i-probably-have-the-philosophy-of-a-poor-man-you-know-like/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [I have a one-track mind. That's all that I'm interested in - love. And the lack of it. When it stops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-have-a-one-track-mind-that-s-all-that-i-m-interested-in-love-and/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [(Acting) is an extension of life. How you're capable of performing in your life, that's how you're capable of performing on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/acting-is-an-extension-of-life-how-you-re-capable-of-performing-in/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [I hate entertainment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-hate-entertainment/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [My mother and father were never frightened of anything. They always felt that they should go through life happily and without fear, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/my-mother-and-father-were-never-frightened-of-anything-they-always/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [People don't know what they are doing most of the time. They don't know what they want. It's only in 'the movies' that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/people-don-t-know-what-they-are-doing-most-of-the-time-they-don-t/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [The most difficult thing in the world is to reveal yourself, to express what you have to. As an artist, I feel that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/the-most-difficult-thing-in-the-world-is-to-reveal-yourself-to/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [I have the confidence that I can take anybody and have them give a good performance, because I don't think there's anything to acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-have-the-confidence-that-i-can-take-anybody-and-have-them-give-a/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [I like to act in films, I like to shoot 'em, I like to direct 'em, I like to be around 'em. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-like-to-act-in-films-i-like-to-shoot-em-i-like-to-direct-em-i-like/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [People have said that my films are very difficult to watch, that they're experiences you are put through rather than ones you enjoy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/people-have-said-that-my-films-are-very-difficult-to-watch-that-they/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [I would put my pictures up against anybody's in this world. Certainly in my own day I bow to no one. I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-would-put-my-pictures-up-against-anybody-s-in-this-world-certainly/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [People who are making films today are too concerned with mechanics - technical things instead of feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/people-who-are-making-films-today-are-too-concerned-with-mechanics/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [I’m very worried about the depiction of women on the screen. It’s gotten worse than ever and it’s related to their being either high-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-m-very-worried-about-the-depiction-of-women-on-the-screen-it-s/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [I'm not good at comparing and contrasting. I take what's in front of me for what it is, although I guess there's something about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/i-m-not-good-at-comparing-and-contrasting-i-take-what-s-in-front-of/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) > [Films today show only a dream world and have lost touch with the way people really are... In this country, people die at 21.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/films-today-show-only-a-dream-world-and-have-lost-touch-with-the-way/) [John Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) [Explore all 53 John Cassavetes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/) ## More Cinema quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [You have to have a great director to make a great movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/you-have-to-have-a-great-director-to-make-a-great-movie/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [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/) > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [There was a time in the 1980s when I worked in 22 films a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radha-ravi/there-was-a-time-in-the-1980s-when-i-worked-in-22-films-a-year/) [Radha Ravi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radha-ravi/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > ['Rear Window' isn't really a horror film, but it is a psychological drama, which I love. It is very tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-silvers/rear-window-isn-t-really-a-horror-film-but-it-is-a-psychological/) [Diana Silvers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-silvers/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [I am not interested in churning out a certain number of films every year. For me, it's about the quality of work. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepika-padukone/i-am-not-interested-in-churning-out-a-certain-number-of-films-every/) [Deepika Padukone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepika-padukone/) [Browse all 23,940 Cinema quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everyone who makes a film is at the major distributors' mercy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Cassavetes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-major-distributors-mercy/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cinema" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-major-distributors-mercy/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/john-cassavetes-12820_cinema_everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-majo_1344270.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/john-cassavetes-12820_cinema_everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-majo_1344270.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/john-cassavetes-12820_cinema_everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-majo_1344270.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Everyone who makes a film is at the major distributors' mercy.” — John Cassavetes", "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": "John Cassavetes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassavetes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Everyone who makes a film is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-major-distributors-mercy/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassavetes/everyone-who-makes-a-film-is-at-the-major-distributors-mercy/#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 } } ] } ```