--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I stumbled into this business, I didn't…" description: "\"I stumbled into this business, I didn't train for it. I yelled 'Action!' on my first two movies before the camera was turned on.\" — John Hughes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/john-hughes-10415_action_i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-t_2023201.png" --- # I stumbled into this business, I didn't train for it. I… ![“I stumbled into this business, I didn't train for it. I yelled 'Action!' on my first two movies before the camera was turned on.” quote by John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/john-hughes-10415_action_i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-t_2023201.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/john-hughes-10415_action_i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-t_2023201.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/john-hughes-10415_action_i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-t_2023201.png) > “I stumbled into this business, I didn't train for it. I yelled 'Action!' on my first two movies before the camera was turned on.” [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He entered filmmaking unexpectedly and demanded action before any preparation, highlighting instinctive drive over formal training. **In simple terms:** He started acting without training, shouting “Action!” early. Key Takeaway Embrace instinctive initiative. Themes creativity risk-taking film Mood excited determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - first film set - career pivot - creative projects Key Concepts spontaneity confidence Questions to Reflect On - Do you trust instinct over training? - How to balance preparation with action? A Different Perspective Lack of preparation can lead to mistakes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Action movies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action-movies/) [Before](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business Didn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-didn-441841/) [Camera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/camera/) [Didn Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/didn-train-2554638/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [Movies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movies/) [Stumbled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stumbled/) [Stumbled Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stumbled-business-3675808/) [Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train/) [Turned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turned/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Yelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yelled/) [Yelled Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yelled-action-3675809/) ## Related quotes > [I can't remember the last day I didn't train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-can-t-remember-the-last-day-i-didn-t-train/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [They didn't train me to be in the ring for five and a half hours punching air. So, it was hard, I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rodriguez/they-didn-t-train-me-to-be-in-the-ring-for-five-and-a-half-hours/) [Michelle Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rodriguez/) > [I'm fierce. I'm very determined, and always had that in me. I didn't have to train myself to be the way I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-kenin/i-m-fierce-i-m-very-determined-and-always-had-that-in-me-i-didn-t/) [Sofia Kenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-kenin/) > [During my pregnancy, I didn't train at all. I wanted to take advantage of those nine months and enjoy the time off with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mackenzie-dern/during-my-pregnancy-i-didn-t-train-at-all-i-wanted-to-take-advantage/) [Mackenzie Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mackenzie-dern/) > [From the very beginning, every time I trained for a fight, I didn't train to beat the guy I was fighting. I trained to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-weidman/from-the-very-beginning-every-time-i-trained-for-a-fight-i-didn-t/) [Chris Weidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-weidman/) > [I didn't train all that time just to come here and get it over with as fast as I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bingham/i-didn-t-train-all-that-time-just-to-come-here-and-get-it-over-with/) [John Bingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bingham/) > [I didn't get to train because I was raised by a single mom. There were three of us and it was just too expensive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/i-didn-t-get-to-train-because-i-was-raised-by-a-single-mom-there-were/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [I didn't train to be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asher-keddie/i-didn-t-train-to-be-an-actor/) [Asher Keddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asher-keddie/) > [If you still look cute at the end of your workout, you didn't train hard enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-still-look-cute-at-the-end-of-your-workout-you-didn-t-train/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I didn't train in directing; I talk to actors the way I talk to anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-baumbach/i-didn-t-train-in-directing-i-talk-to-actors-the-way-i-talk-to-anybody/) [Noah Baumbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-baumbach/) > [If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/if-you-ve-got-a-business-you-didn-t-build-that-somebody-else-made/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I have seen American determination in people like Debbi Sommers. She runs a furniture rental business for conventions in Las Vegas. When 9/11 hit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-have-seen-american-determination-in-people-like-debbi-sommers-she/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [My dad was in the restaurant business, but I didn't really think about following him. Had I done better at school, I don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chang/my-dad-was-in-the-restaurant-business-but-i-didn-t-really-think-about/) [David Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chang/) > [Film and television was so strange to me because I didn't grow up in the business, I didn't know anything about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-j-adams/film-and-television-was-so-strange-to-me-because-i-didn-t-grow-up-in/) [Patrick J. Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-j-adams/) > [“There was no ‘Miss Woodley.’ There was Willie. Willie was about life, and she grabbed it by the balls. Y’all know that. She loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruta-sepetys/there-was-no-miss-woodley-there-was-willie-willie-was-about-life-and/) [Ruta Sepetys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruta-sepetys/) ## More by John Hughes > [The outpouring of generosity is overwhelming. People across the Lehigh Valley are moved by the images they are seeing on TV and they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/the-outpouring-of-generosity-is-overwhelming-people-across-the-lehigh/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [Most of my characters are romantic rather than sexual. I think that's an essential difference in my pictures. I think they are more accurate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/most-of-my-characters-are-romantic-rather-than-sexual-i-think-that-s/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [Maitre D' : I appreciate your understanding. Ferris: Don't think twice. It's understanding that makes it possible for people like us to tolerate a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/maitre-d-i-appreciate-your-understanding-ferris-don-t-think-twice-it/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [You can go home and put the record on and dance. I want to watch how the band does it. I want to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/you-can-go-home-and-put-the-record-on-and-dance-i-want-to-watch-how/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [At the time I came along, Hollywood's idea of teen movies meant there had to be a lot of nudity, usually involving boys in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/at-the-time-i-came-along-hollywood-s-idea-of-teen-movies-meant-there/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [I don't consider myself qualified to do a movie about international intrigue - I seldom leave the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-don-t-consider-myself-qualified-to-do-a-movie-about-international/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [Those who say 'you only live once' have never read a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/those-who-say-you-only-live-once-have-never-read-a-book/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [If I'm on a roll, and I finish a script at 3:00, I'll start another at 3:02.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/if-i-m-on-a-roll-and-i-finish-a-script-at-3-00-i-ll-start-another-at/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [I'm a former hippie, so clothes are important to me - your clothes defined you in that period. I guess clothes still defines people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-m-a-former-hippie-so-clothes-are-important-to-me-your-clothes/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [I think it's wrong not to allow someone the right to have a problem because of their age. People say, 'Well, they're young. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-think-it-s-wrong-not-to-allow-someone-the-right-to-have-a-problem/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [It's arguable whether a hit song is gonna add to the business a film does. There are plenty of films that didn't do any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/it-s-arguable-whether-a-hit-song-is-gonna-add-to-the-business-a-film/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [A geek is a guy who has everything going for him but he's just too young. He's got the software but he doesn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/a-geek-is-a-guy-who-has-everything-going-for-him-but-he-s-just-too/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [I don't think I'm making any great statements, and I certainly don't think I'm making art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-don-t-think-i-m-making-any-great-statements-and-i-certainly-don-t/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [I so desperately hate to end these movies that the first thing I do when I'm done is write another one. Then I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-so-desperately-hate-to-end-these-movies-that-the-first-thing-i-do/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [What a director should be doing is making it appear as though there was no script.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/what-a-director-should-be-doing-is-making-it-appear-as-though-there/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) [Explore all 66 John Hughes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I stumbled into this business, I didn't train for it. I yelled 'Action!' on my first two movies before the camera was turned on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Hughes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-train-for-it-i-yelled-action/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-train-for-it-i-yelled-action/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/john-hughes-10415_action_i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-t_2023201.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/john-hughes-10415_action_i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-t_2023201.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/john-hughes-10415_action_i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-t_2023201.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I stumbled into this business, I didn't train for it. I yelled 'Action!' on my first two movies before the…” — John Hughes", "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 Hughes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I stumbled into this business, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-train-for-it-i-yelled-action/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/i-stumbled-into-this-business-i-didn-t-train-for-it-i-yelled-action/#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 } } ] } ```