--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's quite different writing for films…" description: "\"It's quite different writing for films and for myself. You have to help guide a scene along emotionally, and the wrong approach can just be deadly.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/michael-penn-11939_cinema_it-s-quite-different-writing-for-films-a_3173441.jpg" --- # It's quite different writing for films and for myself. You… ![“It's quite different writing for films and for myself. You have to help guide a scene along emotionally, and the wrong approach can just be deadly.” quote by Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/michael-penn-11939_cinema_it-s-quite-different-writing-for-films-a_3173441.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/michael-penn-11939_cinema_it-s-quite-different-writing-for-films-a_3173441.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/michael-penn-11939_cinema_it-s-quite-different-writing-for-films-a_3173441.jpg) > “It's quite different writing for films and for myself. You have to help guide a scene along emotionally, and the wrong approach can just be deadly.” [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing for film requires emotional guidance; mistakes can ruin impact. **In simple terms:** Film writing needs emotional direction; errors are harmful. Key Takeaway Guide emotions carefully in scripts. Themes creativity film writing Mood thoughtful analytical Type creative professional When to use this quote - screenwriting - film production - directing - editing Key Concepts emotional guidance mistake avoidance Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance guidance with spontaneity? - What safeguards prevent emotional missteps? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑controlling stifles spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [My editor and I remain very disciplined. It's just sometimes when you're making a film, you get into the cutting room and you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-payne/my-editor-and-i-remain-very-disciplined-it-s-just-sometimes-when-you/) [Alexander Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-payne/) > [I find that kid actors are great reminders of the simplicity of acting. As you get older, you can sometimes complicate things a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-jackman/i-find-that-kid-actors-are-great-reminders-of-the-simplicity-of/) [Hugh Jackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-jackman/) > [ I like the ending of the movie \[War Horse\], simply because it's such a demanding scene emotionally, and yet \[the look\] is all done… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janusz-kaminski/i-like-the-ending-of-the-movie-war-horse-simply-because-it-s-such-a/) [Janusz Kaminski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janusz-kaminski/) > [While I was a voracious movie-goer as a boy, I never put writing and films together in my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mcquarrie/while-i-was-a-voracious-movie-goer-as-a-boy-i-never-put-writing-and/) [Christopher McQuarrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mcquarrie/) > [There's such good writing now on television and I don't see a lot of great writing on films sadly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-speedman/there-s-such-good-writing-now-on-television-and-i-don-t-see-a-lot-of/) [Scott Speedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-speedman/) > [I eventually want to do writing on all the films, but not necessarily to be the writer. Writing is a painful, painful thing; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-fukunaga/i-eventually-want-to-do-writing-on-all-the-films-but-not-necessarily/) [Cary Fukunaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-fukunaga/) > [I really like violence in writing and films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/limmy/i-really-like-violence-in-writing-and-films/) [Limmy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/limmy/) > [I wasted time writing films. I don't look back on those years as lost, but it wasn't what I should have been doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-salter/i-wasted-time-writing-films-i-don-t-look-back-on-those-years-as-lost/) [James Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-salter/) > [I think I would have a better time writing films rather than directing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mackenzie-astin/i-think-i-would-have-a-better-time-writing-films-rather-than-directing/) [Mackenzie Astin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mackenzie-astin/) > [Why do children dread mathematics? Because of the wrong approach. Because it is looked at as a subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakuntala-devi/why-do-children-dread-mathematics-because-of-the-wrong-approach/) [Shakuntala Devi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakuntala-devi/) > [“In my opinion, trying to guess what readers want is the wrong approach. You have to tell your story as best you can and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls-author/in-my-opinion-trying-to-guess-what-readers-want-is-the-wrong-approach/) [Jeannette Walls (Author](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls-author/) > [Sometimes people will find things that are wrong. Sometimes they will even find an approach that you took wrong. If you think you took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/sometimes-people-will-find-things-that-are-wrong-sometimes-they-will/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [In my opinion, trying to guess what readers want is the wrong approach. You have to tell your story as best you can and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/in-my-opinion-trying-to-guess-what-readers-want-is-the-wrong-approach-2/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [I think that there are excesses that exist in all societies. I won't say it's normal to have them, but it's natural to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilya-ponomarev/i-think-that-there-are-excesses-that-exist-in-all-societies-i-won-t/) [Ilya Ponomarev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilya-ponomarev/) > [“Even if toxic people are right about what is "good," they are wrong if the approach is not healthy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-if-toxic-people-are-right-about-what-is-good-they-are-wrong-if/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Michael Penn > [To me, playing with words is like playing with your food. You shouldn't do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/to-me-playing-with-words-is-like-playing-with-your-food-you-shouldn-t/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [That was a real debate for me whether to change my name, which I felt was a lie, or to make up a band…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/that-was-a-real-debate-for-me-whether-to-change-my-name-which-i-felt/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [Knowing when it is over is the beginning of a new life and the end of an old one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/knowing-when-it-is-over-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-life-and-the-end-of/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [What if I were Romeo in black jeans?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/what-if-i-were-romeo-in-black-jeans/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [If folk is the music of the common people and not the intellectual elite, then that's what rock is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/if-folk-is-the-music-of-the-common-people-and-not-the-intellectual/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [I'm an oblique guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/i-m-an-oblique-guy/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [I just had a real visceral, negative reaction to show-biz familes. They tend to be a freakish celebrations of dysfunction. Like a circus sideshow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/i-just-had-a-real-visceral-negative-reaction-to-show-biz-familes-they/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [I used to be paranoid for a couple reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/i-used-to-be-paranoid-for-a-couple-reasons/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [I've never been too comfortable with the whole between-song-banter thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/i-ve-never-been-too-comfortable-with-the-whole-between-song-banter/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [Just talking about the schedule and logistics of a tour is fine, but if the interview gets into lyrics and the music in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/just-talking-about-the-schedule-and-logistics-of-a-tour-is-fine-but/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [I got into music when I was pretty young, and there were a lot of shining lights to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/i-got-into-music-when-i-was-pretty-young-and-there-were-a-lot-of/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [I wouldn't balk at having a hit single, because it would allow me some of the freedom to do some of the things I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/i-wouldn-t-balk-at-having-a-hit-single-because-it-would-allow-me-some/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [I've been writing songs since I was a kid. You just hope that you get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-a-kid-you-just-hope-that-you-get/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [If you talk about, say, 'Romeo and Juliet,' most people will think of it as a play about the highest form of romantic love.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/if-you-talk-about-say-romeo-and-juliet-most-people-will-think-of-it/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) > [If I was good at talking about my music, I'd be a lecturer or a teacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-penn/if-i-was-good-at-talking-about-my-music-i-d-be-a-lecturer-or-a-teacher/) [Michael Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) [Explore all 57 Michael Penn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-penn/) ## 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": "It's quite different writing for films and for myself. 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