--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I directed before I was even in…" description: "\"I directed before I was even in television; I directed in the theatre for seven years, so that was my trade anyway. But in the UK, I've given up any ho..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f93/mel-smith-48805_cinema_i-directed-before-i-was-even-in-televisi_1582506.jpg" --- # I directed before I was even in television; I directed in… ![“I directed before I was even in television; I directed in the theatre for seven years, so that was my trade anyway. But in the UK, I've given up any hope of being considered a director.” quote by Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f93/mel-smith-48805_cinema_i-directed-before-i-was-even-in-televisi_1582506.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f93/mel-smith-48805_cinema_i-directed-before-i-was-even-in-televisi_1582506.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f93/mel-smith-48805_cinema_i-directed-before-i-was-even-in-televisi_1582506.jpg) > “I directed before I was even in television; I directed in the theatre for seven years, so that was my trade anyway. But in the UK, I've given up any hope of being considered a director.” [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early experience in theatre shaped his directing identity, despite later setbacks. **In simple terms:** Theatre work defined his directing path. Key Takeaway Leverage early foundations despite obstacles. Themes career identity persistence Mood reflective hopeful Type career motivational When to use this quote - film directing - stage production - career counseling Key Concepts directing theatre career transitions Questions to Reflect On - How can you showcase transferable skills? - What networks can you tap? A Different Perspective Industry bias can limit opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Considered Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/considered-director-4360883/) [Directed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directed/) [Directed Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directed-television-1612100/) [Directed Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directed-theatre-5980593/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Given up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given-up/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Seven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seven/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Television Directed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television-directed-5980592/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [But in the UK, I've given up any hope of being considered a director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/but-in-the-uk-i-ve-given-up-any-hope-of-being-considered-a-director/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) > [I did direct quite a bit when I was in school, and I directed some television afterwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-unkrich/i-did-direct-quite-a-bit-when-i-was-in-school-and-i-directed-some/) [Lee Unkrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-unkrich/) > [I wholeheartedly support the aspirations of the Ukrainian people for a democratic, free and just society where the rule of law prevails without corruption…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcy-kaptur/i-wholeheartedly-support-the-aspirations-of-the-ukrainian-people-for/) [Marcy Kaptur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcy-kaptur/) > [I've never directed anything before 'Mad Men,' so I don't feel I have any advice for the other directors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-slattery/i-ve-never-directed-anything-before-mad-men-so-i-don-t-feel-i-have/) [John Slattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-slattery/) > [I will say this: the first film that I was on was 'In the Heat of the Night', that Norman Jewison directed with Sidney…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-wilson/i-will-say-this-the-first-film-that-i-was-on-was-in-the-heat-of-the/) [Scott Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-wilson/) > [The events which can not be prevented, must be directed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/klemens-von-metternich/the-events-which-can-not-be-prevented-must-be-directed/) [Klemens von Metternich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/klemens-von-metternich/) > [You're allowed to make things for women on television, and there's not like... you don't have to go through the humiliation of having made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/callie-khouri/you-re-allowed-to-make-things-for-women-on-television-and-there-s-not/) [Callie Khouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/callie-khouri/) > [“Is it so bad being directed if you like where you’re headed?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/is-it-so-bad-being-directed-if-you-like-where-you-re-headed/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [Football is a personal interest which has been turned into a philanthropic initiative directed at encouraging social cohesion during the difficult process of African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-hussein-al-amoudi/football-is-a-personal-interest-which-has-been-turned-into-a/) [Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-hussein-al-amoudi/) > [My M.F.A was in directing, and all the films I've made, for film school and after, I've written, directed and shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-s-fletcher/my-m-f-a-was-in-directing-and-all-the-films-i-ve-made-for-film-school/) [Geoffrey S. Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-s-fletcher/) > [What government has been doing, we've got major programmes now, of billions of pounds, which are directed by central government into these areas of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-prescott/what-government-has-been-doing-we-ve-got-major-programmes-now-of/) [John Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-prescott/) > [Women consume, and they must be directed what to consume, or they may identify you as lunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-patrick-shanley/women-consume-and-they-must-be-directed-what-to-consume-or-they-may/) [John Patrick Shanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-patrick-shanley/) > [I've followed Gary Oldman his whole career... I've watched the movies he's directed, like 'Nil by Mouth' - I've seen that five times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-ve-followed-gary-oldman-his-whole-career-i-ve-watched-the-movies-he/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [My fate cannot be mastered; it can only be collaborated with and thereby, to some extent, directed. Nor am I the captain of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/my-fate-cannot-be-mastered-it-can-only-be-collaborated-with-and/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I've also directed, shot, and edited several music videos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-king/i-ve-also-directed-shot-and-edited-several-music-videos/) [Richard King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-king/) ## More by Mel Smith > [I never met Barbara Cartland. But now that I'm working on her life, I wish I had. I think there was a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/i-never-met-barbara-cartland-but-now-that-i-m-working-on-her-life-i/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) > [I don't think London has been given enough credit in a lot of the movies that we make here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/i-don-t-think-london-has-been-given-enough-credit-in-a-lot-of-the/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) > [It's a pragmatist's business, comedy. Start off with good intentions and references to the Pompidou Centre and you end up with boiled sweets and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/it-s-a-pragmatist-s-business-comedy-start-off-with-good-intentions/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) > [In this film, we took a helicopter up and showed London as a vista, which is not very often done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/in-this-film-we-took-a-helicopter-up-and-showed-london-as-a-vista/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) > [The funny thing is, London is an incredibly interesting city. It's very sexy and it's very different, with the Thames winding through it like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/the-funny-thing-is-london-is-an-incredibly-interesting-city-it-s-very/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) > [How do we get a pantomime cow on set. Jeez, the rigours of satire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/how-do-we-get-a-pantomime-cow-on-set-jeez-the-rigours-of-satire/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) > [But in the UK, I've given up any hope of being considered a director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-smith/but-in-the-uk-i-ve-given-up-any-hope-of-being-considered-a-director/) [Mel Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) [Explore all 8 Mel Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-smith/) ## 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 directed before I was even in television; I directed in the theatre for seven years, so that was my trade anyway. 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