--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We always try to leave room for the…" description: "\"We always try to leave room for the actors to come in and make discoveries on set, in their interpretation of the scene. The shot list is scaffolding.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/mike-flanagan-10114_always_we-always-try-to-leave-room-for-the-acto_1354356.jpg" --- # We always try to leave room for the actors to come in and… ![“We always try to leave room for the actors to come in and make discoveries on set, in their interpretation of the scene. The shot list is scaffolding.” quote by Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/mike-flanagan-10114_always_we-always-try-to-leave-room-for-the-acto_1354356.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/mike-flanagan-10114_always_we-always-try-to-leave-room-for-the-acto_1354356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/mike-flanagan-10114_always_we-always-try-to-leave-room-for-the-acto_1354356.jpg) > “We always try to leave room for the actors to come in and make discoveries on set, in their interpretation of the scene. The shot list is scaffolding.” [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A flexible script allows actors to discover authentic moments, while a structured shot list ensures production stays on track. **In simple terms:** Flexibility fosters creativity within structure. Key Takeaway Balance planning with improvisation. Themes creativity structure collaboration film directing Mood practical inspirational Type instructional reflective When to use this quote - film shoots - theater rehearsals - creative workshops Key Concepts theory of film process management Questions to Reflect On - How much freedom should actors have? - When should the director intervene? A Different Perspective Too much rigidity can stifle performance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Don't listen to some outside interpretation - do the scene as it makes sense to you and the other actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-henderson/don-t-listen-to-some-outside-interpretation-do-the-scene-as-it-makes/) [Stephen Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-henderson/) > [ There's a rhythm to the words combined with the pictures \[in a comic\]. Whenever I'm working on a comic strip I re-read it, probably… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/there-s-a-rhythm-to-the-words-combined-with-the-pictures-in-a-comic/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [The scene we shot with Charlie Rose was actually the last piece that was ever shot for 'Breaking Bad.' My daughter and I flew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-gould/the-scene-we-shot-with-charlie-rose-was-actually-the-last-piece-that/) [Peter Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-gould/) > [The running across the field thing, that was the first scene we shot in the movie. We asked the audience to stay for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/the-running-across-the-field-thing-that-was-the-first-scene-we-shot/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [I also think within the scene, a specific scene - if I were to play a part that I played 10 years ago now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-gyllenhaal/i-also-think-within-the-scene-a-specific-scene-if-i-were-to-play-a/) [Jake Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-gyllenhaal/) > [I get to be in a room with other actors, but I never, or very rarely, get the chance to be in a room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-mantello/i-get-to-be-in-a-room-with-other-actors-but-i-never-or-very-rarely/) [Joe Mantello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-mantello/) > [A room full of great sportsmen is so much better than a room full of actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-owen/a-room-full-of-great-sportsmen-is-so-much-better-than-a-room-full-of/) [Clive Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-owen/) > [I love exploring in a rehearsal room with other actors, scenes and you know, stuff you are scared of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-exploring-in-a-rehearsal-room-with-other-actors-scenes-and-you/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [I think there's an aspect of my soul, of my personality, that's very suited to directing. I like being in the room with actors;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-wolfe/i-think-there-s-an-aspect-of-my-soul-of-my-personality-that-s-very/) [George C. Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-wolfe/) > [If you do an original film and you want to cut a scene out you do it. But when you do a shot by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-haneke/if-you-do-an-original-film-and-you-want-to-cut-a-scene-out-you-do-it/) [Michael Haneke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-haneke/) > [I remember the first scene I shot on 'The Blind Side.' I was with Sandra Bullock, and I kept trying to stop myself thinking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/i-remember-the-first-scene-i-shot-on-the-blind-side-i-was-with-sandra/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [Everything has already been done. every story has been told every scene has been shot. it’s our job to do it one better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-kubrick/everything-has-already-been-done-every-story-has-been-told-every/) [Stanley Kubrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-kubrick/) > [I just wrapped 'Eclipse' yesterday and the last scene we shot is probably my favorite thus far. I finally got to tell my story,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/i-just-wrapped-eclipse-yesterday-and-the-last-scene-we-shot-is/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [The Ramones were a great bunch of guys. They were very quiet, very shy. They were a little in awe of the filmmaking process,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-soles/the-ramones-were-a-great-bunch-of-guys-they-were-very-quiet-very-shy/) [P. J. Soles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-soles/) > [Usually, I don't revisit a scene once shot. However, in 'Gentleman,' every morning on the sets, I had to revisit the last four scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nani/usually-i-don-t-revisit-a-scene-once-shot-however-in-gentleman-every/) [Nani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nani/) ## More by Mike Flanagan > [I think in a lot of ways, 'The Shining' is about alcoholism and 'Doctor Sleep' is actually about recovery. They go together pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/i-think-in-a-lot-of-ways-the-shining-is-about-alcoholism-and-doctor/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [It's a wonderful thing to watch an actor just act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-to-watch-an-actor-just-act/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [I like to say that Hollywood is one of the most democratic entities in the world and the reason why is every ticket is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/i-like-to-say-that-hollywood-is-one-of-the-most-democratic-entities/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [When horror is about something - capital-A about - that's when it's really landing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/when-horror-is-about-something-capital-a-about-that-s-when-it-s/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [For me it's about creating and sustaining tension for as long as possible, and I'm not generally interested in allowing that tension to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/for-me-it-s-about-creating-and-sustaining-tension-for-as-long-as/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [A movie studio has to answer to a marketing department, and to shareholders, to ensure the broadest audience possible for its product; it tends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/a-movie-studio-has-to-answer-to-a-marketing-department-and-to/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [For me, 'The Haunting of Hill House' is a series about life after a haunting, what happens after the credits roll in most horror…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/for-me-the-haunting-of-hill-house-is-a-series-about-life-after-a/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [A viewer's imagination is a powerful storyteller, and can often come up with things way more frightening than what you can explicitly show in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/a-viewer-s-imagination-is-a-powerful-storyteller-and-can-often-come/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [Midnight Mass' is kind of my baby; I've been working on that for six years. I started writing it while 'Oculus' was in preproduction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/midnight-mass-is-kind-of-my-baby-i-ve-been-working-on-that-for-six/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [Whenever I would see horror movies I would be traumatized and I'd have to watch them behind my hands or behind the couch sometimes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/whenever-i-would-see-horror-movies-i-would-be-traumatized-and-i-d/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [Depending on how 'Doctor Sleep' does, we'll see what movie opportunities there will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/depending-on-how-doctor-sleep-does-we-ll-see-what-movie-opportunities/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [Well, as a kid I did all the Bloody Mary games and using a mirror to scare yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/well-as-a-kid-i-did-all-the-bloody-mary-games-and-using-a-mirror-to/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [I'm sure many more people saw 'Hush' in the first weekend it was on Netflix than saw 'Oculus' in theatres.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/i-m-sure-many-more-people-saw-hush-in-the-first-weekend-it-was-on/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [Well when I hear 'slasher' I think about the 80s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/well-when-i-hear-slasher-i-think-about-the-80s/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) > [I think it was in sixth grade, though, when I picked up my first Stephen King book, which was 'It,' that knocked me over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-flanagan/i-think-it-was-in-sixth-grade-though-when-i-picked-up-my-first/) [Mike Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) [Explore all 67 Mike Flanagan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-flanagan/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [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/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) > [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/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/) [Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/) > [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) [Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We always try to leave room for the actors to come in and make discoveries on set, in their interpretation of the scene. 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