--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The funny thing is that making a pilot is…" description: "\"The funny thing is that making a pilot is sort of an audition, at least for me. There's something psychological there, where you're sort of asking for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/justin-kirk-25080_acting_the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-i_1572570.png" --- # The funny thing is that making a pilot is sort of an… ![“The funny thing is that making a pilot is sort of an audition, at least for me. There's something psychological there, where you're sort of asking for the job while you're acting. And then when it's been picked up, it's a completely different psychological dynamic.” quote by Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/justin-kirk-25080_acting_the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-i_1572570.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/justin-kirk-25080_acting_the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-i_1572570.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/justin-kirk-25080_acting_the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-i_1572570.png) > “The funny thing is that making a pilot is sort of an audition, at least for me. There's something psychological there, where you're sort of asking for the job while you're acting. And then when it's been picked up, it's a completely different psychological dynamic.” [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creating a pilot is like auditioning for a job, blending performance with self‑promotion, and the dynamics shift once the show is greenlit. **In simple terms:** Making a pilot feels like an audition that changes after approval. Key Takeaway Treat pilot creation as both performance and pitch. Themes career audition media production Mood motivational analytical Type inspirational career advice When to use this quote - pitch meetings - networking - creative development - showrunning Key Concepts self‑promotion psychology of work Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your work feel like an audition? - How do you adapt after a project is approved? A Different Perspective Success depends on both talent and business acumen. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Audition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audition/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Pilot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pilot/) [Psychological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [Making a pilot is never a seamless process. If it is, it usually tanks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-greenfield/making-a-pilot-is-never-a-seamless-process-if-it-is-it-usually-tanks/) [Max Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-greenfield/) > [I got canceled in the middle of making the pilot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-korman/i-got-canceled-in-the-middle-of-making-the-pilot/) [Harvey Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-korman/) > [For someone making a pilot, assuming the talent is there and you can maneuver the system properly, it's just a matter of standing your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-graves/for-someone-making-a-pilot-assuming-the-talent-is-there-and-you-can/) [Alex Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-graves/) > [When you're making a pilot, what you're mostly thinking is, 'Please let this be a real job, please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamish-linklater/when-you-re-making-a-pilot-what-you-re-mostly-thinking-is-please-let/) [Hamish Linklater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamish-linklater/) > [Now that I know what goes into making a pilot, keeping it on the air, and keeping your fans, I'm at a point now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-prepon/now-that-i-know-what-goes-into-making-a-pilot-keeping-it-on-the-air/) [Laura Prepon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-prepon/) > [The funny thing is I'm actually really insecure. I have a lot of girl issues - 'I'm not pretty enough,' 'I'm not skinny enough'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-pearce/the-funny-thing-is-i-m-actually-really-insecure-i-have-a-lot-of-girl/) [Lindsay Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-pearce/) > [The funny thing when you are with a man that has lots of fans - particularly female fans - it gets sensitive!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-degarmo/the-funny-thing-when-you-are-with-a-man-that-has-lots-of-fans/) [Diana DeGarmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-degarmo/) > [“Hope is a funny thing when you think about it. It’s something you always have. You just have to believe you do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-miller/hope-is-a-funny-thing-when-you-think-about-it-it-s-something-you/) [Laura Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-miller/) > [The funny thing is I'm not bothered or sad about being on my own - after all I've never had a husband.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-annis/the-funny-thing-is-i-m-not-bothered-or-sad-about-being-on-my-own/) [Francesca Annis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-annis/) > [I do keep getting these bad girl roles. The funny thing is that, honestly, I don't think I'm believable as these aristocratic mean girls.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-do-keep-getting-these-bad-girl-roles-the-funny-thing-is-that/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [As long as it's funny, there's no such thing as too far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-punch/as-long-as-it-s-funny-there-s-no-such-thing-as-too-far/) [Lucy Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-punch/) > [I don't think I said a single funny thing in class between 2004 and 2008.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivo-graham/i-don-t-think-i-said-a-single-funny-thing-in-class-between-2004-and/) [Ivo Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivo-graham/) > [Funny thing is, You can have everything and still be unhappy...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-s-voice/funny-thing-is-you-can-have-everything-and-still-be-unhappy/) Lisa's Voice > [Rock music is a funny thing: You can actually take it too far sometimes, and then it's not rock music anymore - it's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-satriani/rock-music-is-a-funny-thing-you-can-actually-take-it-too-far/) [Joe Satriani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-satriani/) > [“There's a funny thing about everything, even if you have to make it up!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-jo-ann-thometz/there-s-a-funny-thing-about-everything-even-if-you-have-to-make-it-up/) Jessica Jo Ann Thometz ## More by Justin Kirk > [When I'm watching television or a movie, I like to see stories that are extraordinary. I don't need it be something that is, 'Well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/when-i-m-watching-television-or-a-movie-i-like-to-see-stories-that/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [I think the reality-show format is brilliant, has endless possibilities. It's documentary! But unfortunately, it's rarely executed well. So it becomes just a scripted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/i-think-the-reality-show-format-is-brilliant-has-endless/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [That's the great thing about being an actor: Stuff shows up that you never thought was going to go down. You get to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/that-s-the-great-thing-about-being-an-actor-stuff-shows-up-that-you/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [Once you walk off the set, if you're an actor, the rest isn't your responsibility, which I like a lot. I'm not responsible for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/once-you-walk-off-the-set-if-you-re-an-actor-the-rest-isn-t-your/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [Had a dog. I had many. I grew up in rural Washington before I moved to the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/had-a-dog-i-had-many-i-grew-up-in-rural-washington-before-i-moved-to/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [No great television show has ever rested on just one person. They're all about great ensembles and storytelling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/no-great-television-show-has-ever-rested-on-just-one-person-they-re/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [I used to say that pot took away from my rent, and now it pays it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/i-used-to-say-that-pot-took-away-from-my-rent-and-now-it-pays-it/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [I believe anything that anyone tells me. I have found that that is the best way to go through life. When I was younger,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/i-believe-anything-that-anyone-tells-me-i-have-found-that-that-is-the/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [Even though I wanted to be John Malkovich or Sean Penn when I was a kid, mostly I was a music nerd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/even-though-i-wanted-to-be-john-malkovich-or-sean-penn-when-i-was-a/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [I think my favorite movie is 'Joe Versus the Volcano' - or maybe 'Multiple Maniacs' by John Waters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/i-think-my-favorite-movie-is-joe-versus-the-volcano-or-maybe-multiple/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [I hesitate to say because it sounds silly, but the first play I did was 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle' by Brecht.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/i-hesitate-to-say-because-it-sounds-silly-but-the-first-play-i-did/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [It's certainly anyone's prerogative to say, 'I liked something more when it was this' or blah blah. But there's a kind of laziness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/it-s-certainly-anyone-s-prerogative-to-say-i-liked-something-more/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [I have turned into a bit of a homebody as I've gotten older. I don't really like to leave the couch in Los Angeles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/i-have-turned-into-a-bit-of-a-homebody-as-i-ve-gotten-older-i-don-t/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [You always have these moments when projects are over when you wonder if you'll ever work again. In the end, what it comes down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/you-always-have-these-moments-when-projects-are-over-when-you-wonder/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) > [There is probably some great acting that goes on in movies from people who have never been on a stage, but if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/there-is-probably-some-great-acting-that-goes-on-in-movies-from/) [Justin Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) [Explore all 23 Justin Kirk quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/) ## More Acting 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/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [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/) > [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/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The funny thing is that making a pilot is sort of an audition, at least for me. There's something psychological there, where you're sort of asking for the job while you're acting. And then when it's been picked up, it's a completely different psychological dynamic.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Justin Kirk" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-is-sort-of-an-audition-at/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-is-sort-of-an-audition-at/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/justin-kirk-25080_acting_the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-i_1572570.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/justin-kirk-25080_acting_the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-i_1572570.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/justin-kirk-25080_acting_the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-i_1572570.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The funny thing is that making a pilot is sort of an audition, at least for me. There's something…” — Justin Kirk", "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": "Justin Kirk", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kirk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The funny thing is that making...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-is-sort-of-an-audition-at/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kirk/the-funny-thing-is-that-making-a-pilot-is-sort-of-an-audition-at/#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 } } ] } ```