--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I make films, I work with Mike…" description: "\"When I make films, I work with Mike Leigh, who's the most prolific director in England.\" — Lesley Manville" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c99/lesley-manville-12819_cinema_when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh_1363254.jpg" --- # When I make films, I work with Mike Leigh, who's the most… ![“When I make films, I work with Mike Leigh, who's the most prolific director in England.” quote by Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c99/lesley-manville-12819_cinema_when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh_1363254.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c99/lesley-manville-12819_cinema_when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh_1363254.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c99/lesley-manville-12819_cinema_when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh_1363254.jpg) > “When I make films, I work with Mike Leigh, who's the most prolific director in England.” [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Collaborating with Mike Leigh provides a prolific, immersive filmmaking experience. **In simple terms:** Working with Leigh is intense and productive. Key Takeaway Seek mentors who push creative boundaries. Themes collaboration creativity mentorship Mood enthusiastic professional Type motivational insightful When to use this quote - film sets - theatre rehearsals - creative workshops Key Concepts film direction artistic process career development Questions to Reflect On - What does a prolific director demand from collaborators? - How do you maintain individuality? A Different Perspective Prolific output may limit personal style. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Films](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/films/) [Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leigh/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I often draw from people in my own experience to base a character on, going back to my days with Mike Leigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thewlis/i-often-draw-from-people-in-my-own-experience-to-base-a-character-on/) [David Thewlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thewlis/) > [I really want to work with Mike Leigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dervla-kirwan/i-really-want-to-work-with-mike-leigh/) [Dervla Kirwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dervla-kirwan/) > [Working with Mike Leigh is a process of distillation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-sharp/working-with-mike-leigh-is-a-process-of-distillation/) [Lesley Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-sharp/) > [Mike Leigh is my all-time favourite writer/director/creator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/mike-leigh-is-my-all-time-favourite-writer-director-creator/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [I'm very influenced by Mike Leigh and the way that he always has these climactic confrontations, like in 'Secrets and Lies' and 'High Hopes,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/i-m-very-influenced-by-mike-leigh-and-the-way-that-he-always-has/) [Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/) > [Mike Leigh encourages you to choose a person that you know to base your character on. You write a whole list of people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-horrocks/mike-leigh-encourages-you-to-choose-a-person-that-you-know-to-base/) [Jane Horrocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-horrocks/) > [This whole quest to win the 2019 World Cup, that was my job when I was director of England cricket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-strauss/this-whole-quest-to-win-the-2019-world-cup-that-was-my-job-when-i-was/) [Andrew Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-strauss/) > [I had two starts, really. The first was going to the Italia Conti stage school, aged 15. I'd gone to sing, but one day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/i-had-two-starts-really-the-first-was-going-to-the-italia-conti-stage/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I had left school at 16, gone to stage school - and, until I was 22, I hadn't really played anyone but myself. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/i-had-left-school-at-16-gone-to-stage-school-and-until-i-was-22-i/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [To me Vivien Leigh was a tragic heroine of classic proportions: chosen, blessed and abandoned by the gods. Obstinately she tried to control and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-dundy/to-me-vivien-leigh-was-a-tragic-heroine-of-classic-proportions-chosen/) [Elaine Dundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-dundy/) > [“The man who will ultimately stand at her side will be forged in fire. If you burn easily, don't even bother.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-honfleur/the-man-who-will-ultimately-stand-at-her-side-will-be-forged-in-fire/) Miranda Honfleur > [“Meanwhile Canon Leigh in his study did not know what on earth he ought to do; and when he remembered that he had four…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-goudge/meanwhile-canon-leigh-in-his-study-did-not-know-what-on-earth-he/) [Elizabeth Goudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-goudge/) > [Leigh - anne , jade , jesy & perrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/leigh-anne-jade-jesy-perrie/) Unkown > [ Leigh \[Bowery\] would make up stories about people committing suicide or going on hunger strikes because they were refused entry at the door. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/leigh-bowery-would-make-up-stories-about-people-committing-suicide-or/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [“Oh, now my Erin, she'd smile down on me no matter where I walked." Grandpop smiled that little smile again. "But I'd be separated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lora-leigh/oh-now-my-erin-she-d-smile-down-on-me-no-matter-where-i-walked/) [Lora Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lora-leigh/) ## More by Lesley Manville > [The more you've lived, the more you've experienced, you emotionally know a lot more, especially if you haven't had a regular, straightforward kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/the-more-you-ve-lived-the-more-you-ve-experienced-you-emotionally/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [Corinne Bailey Rae I listen to a lot, and I'll hear Desert Island Discs and quickly write down the name of a song, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/corinne-bailey-rae-i-listen-to-a-lot-and-i-ll-hear-desert-island/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I've got two older sisters who I'm very close to. And my son's grown up with a big sense of family around him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/i-ve-got-two-older-sisters-who-i-m-very-close-to-and-my-son-s-grown/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [For me, personality acting is not that interesting. I don't want to just be myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/for-me-personality-acting-is-not-that-interesting-i-don-t-want-to/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [If I go away, I take a little picture of my son. It's in a frame with a speaker, and he recorded a birthday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/if-i-go-away-i-take-a-little-picture-of-my-son-it-s-in-a-frame-with-a/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [When I was eight, it was clear I was a very good singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/when-i-was-eight-it-was-clear-i-was-a-very-good-singer/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [When I gave birth to my son, something happened. It is a huge thing for a woman: a whole set of emotions you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/when-i-gave-birth-to-my-son-something-happened-it-is-a-huge-thing-for/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I've reached a point in England where you can't go much further; I would love to come to America and work with some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/i-ve-reached-a-point-in-england-where-you-can-t-go-much-further-i/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I still sing, but completely for my own pleasure. I play a nightclub singer in 'Sparkle,' but I'd like to pursue it a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/i-still-sing-but-completely-for-my-own-pleasure-i-play-a-nightclub/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [For me, the times in my life when I've been single have been more formative and crucial than I could have imagined. I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/for-me-the-times-in-my-life-when-i-ve-been-single-have-been-more/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I got invited to what's called the Gifting Suite in Toronto. I had the day off, so I thought I'd go and see what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/i-got-invited-to-what-s-called-the-gifting-suite-in-toronto-i-had-the/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [Hollywood... that's not going to be my niche at all. If anyone is going wants to work with me, I would think it's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/hollywood-that-s-not-going-to-be-my-niche-at-all-if-anyone-is-going/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [In 1990, I was in 'The Three Sisters' at the Royal Court and won the Clarence Derwent award for my supporting role as Natasha…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/in-1990-i-was-in-the-three-sisters-at-the-royal-court-and-won-the/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [It's not just about young people - there are films being made that deal with women getting older. That's a huge bonus, and here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/it-s-not-just-about-young-people-there-are-films-being-made-that-deal/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I have been devoted to my son, and there have been lots of jobs in the past that I haven't done because I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/i-have-been-devoted-to-my-son-and-there-have-been-lots-of-jobs-in-the/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) [Explore all 53 Lesley Manville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) ## 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": "When I make films, I work with Mike Leigh, who's the most prolific director in England.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lesley Manville" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh-who-s-the-most-prolific/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cinema" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh-who-s-the-most-prolific/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c99/lesley-manville-12819_cinema_when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh_1363254.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c99/lesley-manville-12819_cinema_when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh_1363254.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c99/lesley-manville-12819_cinema_when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh_1363254.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I make films, I work with Mike Leigh, who's the most prolific director in England.” — Lesley Manville", "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": "Lesley Manville", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I make films, I work...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh-who-s-the-most-prolific/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/when-i-make-films-i-work-with-mike-leigh-who-s-the-most-prolific/#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 } } ] } ```