--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My dad had a big influence on me, and…" description: "\"My dad had a big influence on me, and although I was never very bright at school, I used to love philosophising with him about big universal things - a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/marianne-elliott-9478_dad_my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-alt_1734552.jpg" --- # My dad had a big influence on me, and although I was never… ![“My dad had a big influence on me, and although I was never very bright at school, I used to love philosophising with him about big universal things - and I think that's what directing is.” quote by Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/marianne-elliott-9478_dad_my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-alt_1734552.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/marianne-elliott-9478_dad_my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-alt_1734552.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/marianne-elliott-9478_dad_my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-alt_1734552.jpg) > “My dad had a big influence on me, and although I was never very bright at school, I used to love philosophising with him about big universal things - and I think that's what directing is.” [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. Her father's influence sparked her love for deep conversation, shaping her directing career. **In simple terms:** Dad inspired her love for big ideas and directing. Key Takeaway Seek mentors who challenge your thinking. Themes influence family creativity career philosophy Mood reflective inspired Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - Choosing a career path - developing artistic vision - learning from family - building a creative team Key Concepts Mentorship creative inspiration intellectual curiosity Questions to Reflect On - How can you honor a mentor's impact while forging your own path? - What big ideas drive your work? A Different Perspective Family influence may not translate directly to professional success without personal effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) ## Related quotes > [People ask me about that all the time. They say, "Did you ever think of directing?" And I say, "It's completely out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rourke/people-ask-me-about-that-all-the-time-they-say-did-you-ever-think-of/) [Mickey Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rourke/) > [As a screenwriter, you are so used to things going in directions that you wouldn't have taken, so to be able to say, 'This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-watkins/as-a-screenwriter-you-are-so-used-to-things-going-in-directions-that/) [James Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-watkins/) > [I think directing and writing are very different jobs. Obviously, directing is a more social and managerial job. The other thing about directing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-think-directing-and-writing-are-very-different-jobs-obviously/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Even when I was an actor in training, one criticism my teachers had was that I should think about directing instead of acting, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-alexander/even-when-i-was-an-actor-in-training-one-criticism-my-teachers-had/) [Jason Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-alexander/) > [You need to see yourself in what you direct, I think - directing is quite self-indulgent from that point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/you-need-to-see-yourself-in-what-you-direct-i-think-directing-is/) [Marianne Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-elliott/) > [I think directing is a huge responsibility and it's not something where you can just be like, "Yeah, sure, I'll give it a go!"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hutcherson/i-think-directing-is-a-huge-responsibility-and-it-s-not-something/) [Josh Hutcherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hutcherson/) > [I think directing yourself is a monumental task. Just to self edit as an actor, you work for some directors who don't give you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-kutcher/i-think-directing-yourself-is-a-monumental-task-just-to-self-edit-as/) [Ashton Kutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-kutcher/) > [When I think about directing a film, the thing that stops me short is wondering if I'm a natural at it the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/when-i-think-about-directing-a-film-the-thing-that-stops-me-short-is/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [When I made my first film, I didn't think of it as directing, so it wasn't like I set out to become a director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/when-i-made-my-first-film-i-didn-t-think-of-it-as-directing-so-it/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [I think that directing is the ultimate martyred task of filmmaking, that it has nobility to it. It takes three years to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/i-think-that-directing-is-the-ultimate-martyred-task-of-filmmaking-2/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [I think that directing is the ultimate martyred task of filmmaking, that it has nobility to it. It takes three years to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/i-think-that-directing-is-the-ultimate-martyred-task-of-filmmaking/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [I thought of myself as part of the general filmmaking effort. And as my scope broadened, I began to think about directing. I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/i-thought-of-myself-as-part-of-the-general-filmmaking-effort-and-as/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [I think directing is part play, part work, not just all work, because I think you always have to play. I think that's ultimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-forster/i-think-directing-is-part-play-part-work-not-just-all-work-because-i/) [Marc Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-forster/) > [I think the only directing I'd be any good at is theatre directing. It's the only thing I can see myself doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-think-the-only-directing-i-d-be-any-good-at-is-theatre-directing-it/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [I think directing in a team is a really good idea because it stops the cult of the director as God straight away, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/i-think-directing-in-a-team-is-a-really-good-idea-because-it-stops/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) ## 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 Big influence quotes > [A guy called Arthur Brown... was a big influence of mine... and also Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/a-guy-called-arthur-brown-was-a-big-influence-of-mine-and-also-ian/) [Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/) > [The big influence on me was Robert Altman, who, especially in 'Nashville,' transformed my sense of dramatic structure and showed how you could handle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kushner/the-big-influence-on-me-was-robert-altman-who-especially-in-nashville/) [Tony Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kushner/) > [My grandfather was a big influence on me, but I lost him when I was a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-morgan/my-grandfather-was-a-big-influence-on-me-but-i-lost-him-when-i-was-a/) [Rob Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-morgan/) > [ \[Akiro\] Kurosawa, no doubt, was a big influence. Movies sometimes more than directors have influenced me: The Grapes of Wrath, by John Ford, was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/costa-gavras/akiro-kurosawa-no-doubt-was-a-big-influence-movies-sometimes-more/) [Costa-Gavras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/costa-gavras/) > [I look at Large Professor as a big influence. I grew up with him and being able to grow up with him enabled me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mic-geronimo/i-look-at-large-professor-as-a-big-influence-i-grew-up-with-him-and/) [Mic Geronimo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mic-geronimo/) > [I was a youngster looking up to dudes like Vicky McClure, Joe Dempsie and Michael Socha - in fact, he was a big influence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-o-connell/i-was-a-youngster-looking-up-to-dudes-like-vicky-mcclure-joe-dempsie/) [Jack O'Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-o-connell/) > [Assault On Precinct 13' was amazing - a big influence. 'Escape From New York' as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-evans/assault-on-precinct-13-was-amazing-a-big-influence-escape-from-new/) [Gareth Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-evans/) > [I've always been the first to admit that Jimi was a very big influence on my early stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-trower/i-ve-always-been-the-first-to-admit-that-jimi-was-a-very-big/) [Robin Trower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-trower/) > [I had a very thorough grounding in music; I'd grown up around songs. My parents listened to a lot of music. My dad was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-mvula/i-had-a-very-thorough-grounding-in-music-i-d-grown-up-around-songs-my/) [Laura Mvula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-mvula/) > [Ken Griffey changed the game, but he also represented pop culture and the youth - how he wore his hat backwards, how he swung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-wilson/ken-griffey-changed-the-game-but-he-also-represented-pop-culture-and/) [Russell Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-wilson/) > [As a writer, Chris Columbus was a big influence. 'The Goonies' was the first movie I ever saw that kids speak normally and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-green/as-a-writer-chris-columbus-was-a-big-influence-the-goonies-was-the/) [Adam Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-green/) > [Yeah, Kubrick's a big influence. In something like 'A Clockwork Orange,' he is trying to use the practical light - I mean, at least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-van-sant/yeah-kubrick-s-a-big-influence-in-something-like-a-clockwork-orange/) [Gus Van Sant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-van-sant/) > [Music is a big influence in my work and sometimes drives the energy of where I want to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemon-andersen/music-is-a-big-influence-in-my-work-and-sometimes-drives-the-energy/) [Lemon Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemon-andersen/) > [Yeah, sci-fi is definitely a big influence on Fear Factory. I've had people tell me we always sing about the same thing but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dino-cazares/yeah-sci-fi-is-definitely-a-big-influence-on-fear-factory-i-ve-had/) [Dino Cazares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dino-cazares/) > [One of the great bands we opened up for was Priest back in '89. That was really great because at that time we had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-lombardo/one-of-the-great-bands-we-opened-up-for-was-priest-back-in-89-that/) [Dave Lombardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-lombardo/) Browse all 86 Big influence quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My dad had a big influence on me, and although I was never very bright at school, I used to love philosophising with him about big universal things - and I think that's what directing is.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marianne Elliott" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-although-i-was-never-very-bright/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Big influence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-although-i-was-never-very-bright/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/marianne-elliott-9478_dad_my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-alt_1734552.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/marianne-elliott-9478_dad_my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-alt_1734552.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/marianne-elliott-9478_dad_my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-alt_1734552.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My dad had a big influence on me, and although I was never very bright at school, I used to love…” — 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": "My dad had a big influence...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-although-i-was-never-very-bright/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-elliott/my-dad-had-a-big-influence-on-me-and-although-i-was-never-very-bright/#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 } } ] } ```