--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I thought a director was like a pillow…" description: "\"I thought a director was like a pillow who sat under the writer, supporting them and submitting to their vision. It took me a long time to realise that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/john-tiffany-4363_cinema_i-thought-a-director-was-like-a-pillow-w_1606127.jpg" --- # I thought a director was like a pillow who sat under the… ![“I thought a director was like a pillow who sat under the writer, supporting them and submitting to their vision. It took me a long time to realise that what a writer really wants is a production that matches the play and the writing. It is the only way the play can achieve its full potential.” quote by John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/john-tiffany-4363_cinema_i-thought-a-director-was-like-a-pillow-w_1606127.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/john-tiffany-4363_cinema_i-thought-a-director-was-like-a-pillow-w_1606127.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/john-tiffany-4363_cinema_i-thought-a-director-was-like-a-pillow-w_1606127.jpg) > “I thought a director was like a pillow who sat under the writer, supporting them and submitting to their vision. It took me a long time to realise that what a writer really wants is a production that matches the play and the writing. It is the only way the play can achieve its full potential.” [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A director should not merely support a writer but bring the script to life, matching production to the play’s intent. **In simple terms:** Directors must realize the script, not just back it. Key Takeaway Align production with the writer’s vision. Themes theatre collaboration vision Mood reflective creative Type advice theatrical When to use this quote - stage productions - rehearsals - director-writer meetings - creative workshops Key Concepts direction interpretation artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can directors and writers co‑create effectively? - What compromises preserve both vision and practicality? A Different Perspective A director’s vision may clash with a writer’s,, causing tension. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Director Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director-like/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Full potential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/full-potential/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Play writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-writing/) [Thought Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-director-1525908/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [Writer Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-really/) [Writer Supporting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-supporting-6116855/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I never thought about becoming a director or producer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vatsal-sheth/i-never-thought-about-becoming-a-director-or-producer/) [Vatsal Sheth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vatsal-sheth/) > [“I thought this director gig was just one of those side roads we take at times on the journey to our true purpose. Now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gay-idle/i-thought-this-director-gig-was-just-one-of-those-side-roads-we-take/) [Gay Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gay-idle/) > [I have done films where we all thought the director didn't know what he was doing and it is going to be a gobble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/i-have-done-films-where-we-all-thought-the-director-didn-t-know-what/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [I had never thought of myself as a director and found out that I was not. I am a writer who was able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-minghella/i-had-never-thought-of-myself-as-a-director-and-found-out-that-i-was/) [Anthony Minghella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-minghella/) > [One usually dislikes a play while writing it, but afterward it grows on one. Let others judge and make decisions,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/one-usually-dislikes-a-play-while-writing-it-but-afterward-it-grows/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [What I'm really involved in when I'm writing is something that no one ever mentions when they see any play. Writing is like trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-shawn/what-i-m-really-involved-in-when-i-m-writing-is-something-that-no-one/) [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) > [There are so many rules about play writing. I'd have a nervous breakdown if I followed them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-mcnally/there-are-so-many-rules-about-play-writing-i-d-have-a-nervous/) [Terrence McNally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-mcnally/) > [Even though I was trained in play writing and screenwriting, when I sat down to write a comic book for the first time, Alan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-k-vaughan/even-though-i-was-trained-in-play-writing-and-screenwriting-when-i/) [Brian K. Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-k-vaughan/) > [New songs are why artists go on the road. That's why I go on the road. It's a three-prong play. Writing: You're intrigued. Recording:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/new-songs-are-why-artists-go-on-the-road-that-s-why-i-go-on-the-road/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [Growing up, I loved to play. Writing was a natural outtake of play. I realize now, having kids, that maybe that's unusual. Living out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-doerr/growing-up-i-loved-to-play-writing-was-a-natural-outtake-of-play-i/) [Anthony Doerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-doerr/) > [... there is ... a big aspect of play in writing novels, and making the story more and more elaborate is just more and more fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gish-jen/there-is-a-big-aspect-of-play-in-writing-novels-and-making-the-story/) [Gish Jen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gish-jen/) > [Nothing makes me happier than writing a song that I think is good or that I want to play. Writing songs helps me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-nesbitt/nothing-makes-me-happier-than-writing-a-song-that-i-think-is-good-or/) [Nina Nesbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-nesbitt/) > [The secret of play-writing can be given in two maxims: stick to the point, and, whenever you can, cut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/the-secret-of-play-writing-can-be-given-in-two-maxims-stick-to-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [When you find a writer who really is saying something to you, read everything that writer has written and you will get more education…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/when-you-find-a-writer-who-really-is-saying-something-to-you-read/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [I think whenever a writer is really enjoying themselves and liking what they are doing, that shows on the page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-think-whenever-a-writer-is-really-enjoying-themselves-and-liking/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## More by John Tiffany > [The only thing I fear is when people say, 'I should go to the theatre more.' I say, 'We should create work that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/the-only-thing-i-fear-is-when-people-say-i-should-go-to-the-theatre/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [“Pain Must & Will Come”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/pain-must-will-come/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [When I get really down, I remember that we all share 99.99 per cent of our DNA with Beyonce. And suddenly, the world doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/when-i-get-really-down-i-remember-that-we-all-share-99-99-per-cent-of/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [I'm not interested in putting naturalism on stage - I want passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/i-m-not-interested-in-putting-naturalism-on-stage-i-want-passion/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [“Those that we love never truly leave us, Harry. 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You only know if your show is working when you see it with an audience. You can also tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/theatre-is-a-living-organism-you-only-know-if-your-show-is-working/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [“Harry, you have one of the greatest hearts of any wizard who ever lived, and I do not believe your heart told you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/harry-you-have-one-of-the-greatest-hearts-of-any-wizard-who-ever/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > ['West Side Story' is one of the greatest theatrical experiences I've had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/west-side-story-is-one-of-the-greatest-theatrical-experiences-i-ve-had/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [There are some actors who see a show as something to do before going out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/there-are-some-actors-who-see-a-show-as-something-to-do-before-going/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [“Sometimes costs are made to be borne.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/sometimes-costs-are-made-to-be-borne/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [I don't know how films get made, and I think I'll leave it to other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/i-don-t-know-how-films-get-made-and-i-think-i-ll-leave-it-to-other/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) [Explore all 110 John Tiffany quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "I thought a director was like a pillow who sat under the writer, supporting them and submitting to their vision. It took me a long time to realise that what a writer really wants is a production that matches the play and the writing. 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