---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a tremendous asset if you have a…"
description: "\"It's a tremendous asset if you have a visual eye because you can make huge visual statements in a very theatrical way and play to the strength of theat..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/marianne-elliott-9478_acting_it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-vi_1577739.jpg"
---

#  It's a tremendous asset if you have a visual eye because…

![“It's a tremendous asset if you have a visual eye because you can make huge visual statements in a very theatrical way and play to the strength of theatre. But the high end of directing is working with actors and making the acting the best it can be.” quote by Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/marianne-elliott-9478_acting_it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-vi_1577739.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/marianne-elliott-9478_acting_it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-vi_1577739.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/marianne-elliott-9478_acting_it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-vi_1577739.jpg)

> “It's a tremendous asset if you have a visual eye because you can make huge visual statements in a very theatrical way and play to the strength of theatre. But the high end of directing is working with actors and making the acting the best it can be.”

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A visual talent lets you create striking, theatrical images, but true directing mastery lies in shaping actors’ performances.

**In simple terms:** Visual skill helps, but directing is about guiding actors.

Key Takeaway

Focus on actors, not just visuals.

Themes

directing visual storytelling theatre leadership

Mood

creative reflective

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- stage production
- film directing
- theatre workshops

Key Concepts

cinematography performance collaboration

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance visual flair with actor development?
- What methods deepen actor engagement?

A Different Perspective

Relying solely on visuals can neglect character depth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Directing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directing/) [Directing Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directing-working-1013831/) [End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end/) [End Directing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-directing-5865371/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Making Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-acting-409982/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/)

## Related quotes

> [Eventually, I think I may end up directing. It would have to be the project where I think that I'm the person to direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-der-beek/eventually-i-think-i-may-end-up-directing-it-would-have-to-be-the/)

[James Van Der Beek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-der-beek/)

> [The fun of directing for me, other than working with the actors, is trying to extract those ideas that you have in your head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfonso-gomez-rejon/the-fun-of-directing-for-me-other-than-working-with-the-actors-is/)

[Alfonso Gomez-Rejon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfonso-gomez-rejon/)

> [When I'm directing I'm working from 100% of my brain, but when I'm acting I'm working from my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-gray-gubler/when-i-m-directing-i-m-working-from-100-of-my-brain-but-when-i-m/)

[Matthew Gray Gubler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-gray-gubler/)

> [The secret of directing is working with really good people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/the-secret-of-directing-is-working-with-really-good-people/)

[George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/)

> [When you do improv, you're everything. You're a performer, writer, and director, because you're moving the scene in the direction you want it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-reiner/when-you-do-improv-you-re-everything-you-re-a-performer-writer-and/)

[Rob Reiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-reiner/)

> [When you do improv, you're everything. You're a performer, writer, and director, because you're moving the scene in the direction you want it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-reiner/when-you-do-improv-you-re-everything-you-re-a-performer-writer-and-2/)

[Rob Reiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-reiner/)

> [Also, painting and animation are really solitary pursuits, so the collaborative aspects of music making and acting are pretty welcome sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tunde-adebimpe/also-painting-and-animation-are-really-solitary-pursuits-so-the/)

[Tunde Adebimpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tunde-adebimpe/)

> [You're in the gym eight hours a day; you're not preparing for cameras and running around and doing tour stops and making acting appearances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mckayla-maroney/you-re-in-the-gym-eight-hours-a-day-you-re-not-preparing-for-cameras/)

[McKayla Maroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mckayla-maroney/)

> [My intention of making acting a career was about being onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-marshall-green/my-intention-of-making-acting-a-career-was-about-being-onstage/)

[Logan Marshall-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-marshall-green/)

> [Directing is a very long process, and I have to be in love with it if I want to give up two years of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-harris/directing-is-a-very-long-process-and-i-have-to-be-in-love-with-it-if/)

[Danielle Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-harris/)

> [Playing Isabella in 'Measure for Measure' pushed me to my limits. Janet Suzman was directing, and she was very hard on me. I went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-dockery/playing-isabella-in-measure-for-measure-pushed-me-to-my-limits-janet/)

[Michelle Dockery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-dockery/)

> [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [That's what I learned most about directing on my own - you've got to build a family, a filmmaking family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/that-s-what-i-learned-most-about-directing-on-my-own-you-ve-got-to/)

[Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/)

> [I took on the role of CEO, which involves directing the Management Team and overall day-to-day operations of 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-tsai/i-took-on-the-role-of-ceo-which-involves-directing-the-management/)

[Christine Tsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-tsai/)

> [Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/anybody-can-direct-a-picture-once-they-know-the-fundamentals/)

[John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/)

## More by Marianne Elliott

> [I suppose that I'm excited by exciting theater. It takes a risk to show us the world in a new way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-suppose-that-i-m-excited-by-exciting-theater-it-takes-a-risk-to/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I never want to see 'Hamlet' ever again! Never ever!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-never-want-to-see-hamlet-ever-again-never-ever/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I'm really fascinated by other directors' methods. I've done a lot of learning by observation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-m-really-fascinated-by-other-directors-methods-i-ve-done-a-lot-of/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I'm interested in teasing out the contemporary issues in what I'm working on, however old the piece might be, whenever I'm working on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-m-interested-in-teasing-out-the-contemporary-issues-in-what-i-m/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [It's incredible how London-centric the theatre world is. Certain actors won't travel away from London anymore for work; practitioners often aren't taken seriously enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/it-s-incredible-how-london-centric-the-theatre-world-is-certain/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I just think that you have to approach anything you do with a huge amount of integrity - I don't really care where it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-just-think-that-you-have-to-approach-anything-you-do-with-a-huge/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I used to love getting older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-used-to-love-getting-older/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I didn't want to just be remembered for 'War Horse.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-didn-t-want-to-just-be-remembered-for-war-horse/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [If you are working in a publicly subsidized building, then you have a responsibility to deliver truly interesting, risky, innovative, even provocative work. Work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/if-you-are-working-in-a-publicly-subsidized-building-then-you-have-a/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [There's a certain type of theatre that I haven't got any time for at all - established, boring, same-old stuff without any reason or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/there-s-a-certain-type-of-theatre-that-i-haven-t-got-any-time-for-at/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [As you get older, you realise that your identity becomes more important - the environment in which you have grown is actually part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/as-you-get-older-you-realise-that-your-identity-becomes-more/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [It is draining when you have a child, and there aren't many women directors with kids out there as role models.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/it-is-draining-when-you-have-a-child-and-there-aren-t-many-women/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [The actors work out how to create the show with me during the rehearsals. They owe it to themselves and each other to maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/the-actors-work-out-how-to-create-the-show-with-me-during-the/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I worked in casting for about five years before I became a director, and that taught me a huge amount because you never actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-worked-in-casting-for-about-five-years-before-i-became-a-director/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

> [I'm always drawn to female stories with female protagonists, and I particularly yearn for more older actresses to take centre stage in 2018.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/i-m-always-drawn-to-female-stories-with-female-protagonists-and-i/)

[Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

[Explore all 72 Marianne Elliott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/)

## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "It's a tremendous asset if you have a visual eye because you can make huge visual statements in a very theatrical way and play to the strength of theatre. But the high end of directing is working with actors and making the acting the best it can be.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Marianne Elliott"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-visual-eye-because-you-can-make/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Acting"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-visual-eye-because-you-can-make/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/marianne-elliott-9478_acting_it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-vi_1577739.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/marianne-elliott-9478_acting_it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-vi_1577739.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/marianne-elliott-9478_acting_it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-vi_1577739.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's a tremendous asset if you have a visual eye because you can make huge visual statements in a very…” — Marianne Elliott",
                "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": "Marianne Elliott",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's a tremendous asset if you...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-visual-eye-because-you-can-make/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/it-s-a-tremendous-asset-if-you-have-a-visual-eye-because-you-can-make/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
