--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In terms of writing characters or…" description: "\"In terms of writing characters or stories, at least initially, there's no difference between live-action and animation. A good story is a good story, w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/michael-arndt-21037_action_in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-storie_2620860.png" --- # In terms of writing characters or stories, at least… ![“In terms of writing characters or stories, at least initially, there's no difference between live-action and animation. A good story is a good story, whatever the medium.” quote by Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/michael-arndt-21037_action_in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-storie_2620860.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/michael-arndt-21037_action_in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-storie_2620860.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/michael-arndt-21037_action_in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-storie_2620860.png) > “In terms of writing characters or stories, at least initially, there's no difference between live-action and animation. A good story is a good story, whatever the medium.” [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A story's quality is independent of its medium; good narratives work in any format. **In simple terms:** Good stories work everywhere. Key Takeaway Focus on story, not format. Themes storytelling medium creativity Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - film scriptwriting - animation development - cross‑media projects Key Concepts narrative structure medium neutrality Questions to Reflect On - How does medium shape audience perception? - What elements of a story survive medium changes? A Different Perspective Medium constraints can affect pacing and visual storytelling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Animation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animation/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Good story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-story/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The walls between live-action and animation are becoming really porous, and it's interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-unkrich/the-walls-between-live-action-and-animation-are-becoming-really/) [Lee Unkrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-unkrich/) > [You're using such different muscles and you rely on physicality in live action, but in animation, you totally throw that out the window. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reid-scott/you-re-using-such-different-muscles-and-you-rely-on-physicality-in/) [Reid Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reid-scott/) > [A good story is a good story, whatever the medium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/a-good-story-is-a-good-story-whatever-the-medium/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [For me, drawing is the greatest joy. Animation is never as good as when I'm sitting at that desk drawing. Even when it's up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-keane/for-me-drawing-is-the-greatest-joy-animation-is-never-as-good-as-when/) [Glen Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-keane/) > [There's always room out there for the hand-drawn image. I personally like the imperfection of hand drawing as opposed to the slick look of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-groening/there-s-always-room-out-there-for-the-hand-drawn-image-i-personally/) [Matt Groening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-groening/) > [But the animation has become very good, and I think that a movie is not a book, and a book is not a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-dunn/but-the-animation-has-become-very-good-and-i-think-that-a-movie-is/) [Katherine Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-dunn/) > [I think that whenever there's a good script we try to make that happen, but it's all based off of a good story, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-edmonds/i-think-that-whenever-there-s-a-good-script-we-try-to-make-that/) [Kenneth Edmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-edmonds/) > [I like 'Pyaar Ka Dard Hai' on Star Plus. It not only has a good story but good actors as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pratyusha-banerjee/i-like-pyaar-ka-dard-hai-on-star-plus-it-not-only-has-a-good-story/) [Pratyusha Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pratyusha-banerjee/) > [A good story is a good story no matter who wrote it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mccaffrey/a-good-story-is-a-good-story-no-matter-who-wrote-it/) [Anne McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mccaffrey/) > [I am the old story. L'histoire ancienne. But an old story can still be a good story, no?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-karina/i-am-the-old-story-l-histoire-ancienne-but-an-old-story-can-still-be/) [Anna Karina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-karina/) > [“…After all, it isn't really difficult to write books. Especially if you either write a rotten story in good English or a good story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/after-all-it-isn-t-really-difficult-to-write-books-especially-if-you/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [A good film is always a good film and a good story is always a good story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satish-kaushik/a-good-film-is-always-a-good-film-and-a-good-story-is-always-a-good/) [Satish Kaushik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satish-kaushik/) > [I want a body of work; I want a good story after a good story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giancarlo-esposito/i-want-a-body-of-work-i-want-a-good-story-after-a-good-story/) [Giancarlo Esposito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giancarlo-esposito/) > [I want to be known for good work first. A good story and good delivery is just that - period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/i-want-to-be-known-for-good-work-first-a-good-story-and-good-delivery/) [Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Michael Arndt > [If you only know something one way, then you don't really know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/if-you-only-know-something-one-way-then-you-don-t-really-know-it/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [I had read enough mediocre scripts and was determined not to inflict another one on the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/i-had-read-enough-mediocre-scripts-and-was-determined-not-to-inflict/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [My thing is that most scripts arent bad scripts, theyre just not finished yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/my-thing-is-that-most-scripts-arent-bad-scripts-theyre-just-not/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [I like to begin every screenplay with a burst of delusional self-confidence. It tends to fade pretty quickly, but (for me, at least) there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/i-like-to-begin-every-screenplay-with-a-burst-of-delusional-self/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [The best writing really does come from the deepest, most private part of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/the-best-writing-really-does-come-from-the-deepest-most-private-part/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [The fluidity of thought is based on the flexibility of beliefs and the emotional boundaries surrounding them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/the-fluidity-of-thought-is-based-on-the-flexibility-of-beliefs-and/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [My God, there are so many mediocre screenplays out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/my-god-there-are-so-many-mediocre-screenplays-out-there/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [Every problem offers an opportunity for a solution. if you are in the right frame of mind to find it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/every-problem-offers-an-opportunity-for-a-solution-if-you-are-in-the/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [The number one metaphor I have in my mind for writing a screenplay is that...you're trying to climb a mountain blindfolded. And the funny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/the-number-one-metaphor-i-have-in-my-mind-for-writing-a-screenplay-is/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [I can write two scripts concurrently, but I usually prefer to do one at a time. However, I also usually have 5 or 6…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/i-can-write-two-scripts-concurrently-but-i-usually-prefer-to-do-one/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [I figured I’d probably write 50 scripts in my life. Out of those 50, I figured maybe five would be produced, and that maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/i-figured-i-d-probably-write-50-scripts-in-my-life-out-of-those-50-i/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [We have the freedom to excel or inhibit our potential. You are the grand designer of your thoughts and emotions. At some level or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/we-have-the-freedom-to-excel-or-inhibit-our-potential-you-are-the/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [If you write a bunch of different characters with a bunch of different opinions, you end up with these long scenes of everyone standing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/if-you-write-a-bunch-of-different-characters-with-a-bunch-of/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [Adversity challenges the masks we hide behind, revealing sides of ourselves we have not yet comfortably with the world outside. It is why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/adversity-challenges-the-masks-we-hide-behind-revealing-sides-of/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [You never want your second act or the whole movie to just be this relentless march towards its goal. You want things to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/you-never-want-your-second-act-or-the-whole-movie-to-just-be-this/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) [Explore all 30 Michael Arndt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In terms of writing characters or stories, at least initially, there's no difference between live-action and animation. A good story is a good story, whatever the medium.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Arndt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-stories-at-least-initially-there-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-stories-at-least-initially-there-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/michael-arndt-21037_action_in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-storie_2620860.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/michael-arndt-21037_action_in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-storie_2620860.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/michael-arndt-21037_action_in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-storie_2620860.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In terms of writing characters or stories, at least initially, there's no difference between live-action and…” — Michael Arndt", "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": "Michael Arndt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In terms of writing characters or...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-stories-at-least-initially-there-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/in-terms-of-writing-characters-or-stories-at-least-initially-there-s/#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 } } ] } ```