--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here's the thing about standup directing…" description: "\"Here's the thing about standup directing: not that hard. As I said on Twitter one day, or maybe it was Instagram - sorry, I want to keep my platforms s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/neal-brennan-4937_ambitious_here-s-the-thing-about-standup-directing_1251326.jpg" --- # Here's the thing about standup directing: not that hard… ![“Here's the thing about standup directing: not that hard. As I said on Twitter one day, or maybe it was Instagram - sorry, I want to keep my platforms straight - it's essentially the same five shots over and over again. Seven if you're ambitious.” quote by Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/neal-brennan-4937_ambitious_here-s-the-thing-about-standup-directing_1251326.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/neal-brennan-4937_ambitious_here-s-the-thing-about-standup-directing_1251326.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/neal-brennan-4937_ambitious_here-s-the-thing-about-standup-directing_1251326.jpg) > “Here's the thing about standup directing: not that hard. As I said on Twitter one day, or maybe it was Instagram - sorry, I want to keep my platforms straight - it's essentially the same five shots over and over again. Seven if you're ambitious.” [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Directing stand‑up is repetitive, using the same basic shots repeatedly. **In simple terms:** Directing is repetitive. Key Takeaway Embrace simplicity. Themes directing stand‑up creativity Mood practical reflective Type advice instructional When to use this quote - Comedy shows - workshops - rehearsals - budget constraints Key Concepts process efficiency repetition ambition Questions to Reflect On - Can repetition improve skill? - When is variety needed? A Different Perspective Limited artistic variety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) ## Related quotes > [Directing is too hard, it takes too much time, and it doesn't pay very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-ford/directing-is-too-hard-it-takes-too-much-time-and-it-doesn-t-pay-very/) [Harrison Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-ford/) > [I just don't want to make the same old movies. I'm not interested in it. Directing's hard. It takes up a lot of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-goddard/i-just-don-t-want-to-make-the-same-old-movies-i-m-not-interested-in/) [Drew Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-goddard/) > [I think social media is... really cool in the sense that I don't think that a writer like me would've found a readership if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupi-kaur/i-think-social-media-is-really-cool-in-the-sense-that-i-don-t-think/) [Rupi Kaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupi-kaur/) > [I look for the ability to work. Directing is hard work. They don't teach you that in film school. Critics are not aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-corman/i-look-for-the-ability-to-work-directing-is-hard-work-they-don-t/) [Roger Corman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-corman/) > [I don't want to say I'm never going to direct again, but directing's hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-chandler/i-don-t-want-to-say-i-m-never-going-to-direct-again-but-directing-s/) [Kyle Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-chandler/) > [Making a movie and not directing the little moments is like drinking a soda and leaving the little slurp puddle for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/making-a-movie-and-not-directing-the-little-moments-is-like-drinking/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I'm addicted to directing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-shankman/i-m-addicted-to-directing/) [Adam Shankman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-shankman/) > [The producing thing has come quite naturally to me. I feel like for directing, I would like to be more technically-savvy. I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/the-producing-thing-has-come-quite-naturally-to-me-i-feel-like-for/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [For me the dream is the freedom to make all the crazy ideas I have in my head into movies. I truly love directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-ozeki/for-me-the-dream-is-the-freedom-to-make-all-the-crazy-ideas-i-have-in/) [Nicholas Ozeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-ozeki/) > [When I see my movies on the editing table, I do think I could have done them a certain way. The satisfaction is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-nadiadwala/when-i-see-my-movies-on-the-editing-table-i-do-think-i-could-have/) [Sajid Nadiadwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-nadiadwala/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [I took on the role of CEO, which involves directing the Management Team and overall day-to-day operations of 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-tsai/i-took-on-the-role-of-ceo-which-involves-directing-the-management/) [Christine Tsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-tsai/) > [That's what I learned most about directing on my own - you've got to build a family, a filmmaking family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/that-s-what-i-learned-most-about-directing-on-my-own-you-ve-got-to/) [Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/anybody-can-direct-a-picture-once-they-know-the-fundamentals/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) ## More by Neal Brennan > [If the word police want to come and get me, they can come and get me. If someone wants to blog about me, fine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/if-the-word-police-want-to-come-and-get-me-they-can-come-and-get-me/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I can always tell the demographic that will probably recognize me - white dudes, sort of skater-y hip hop white dudes, and working class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-can-always-tell-the-demographic-that-will-probably-recognize-me/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I think it's naïve to think white people aren't singing along directly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-think-it-s-na-ve-to-think-white-people-aren-t-singing-along-directly/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I think I've seen every 'Bill Maher' episode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-think-i-ve-seen-every-bill-maher-episode/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [The biggest problem in America is most people believe poor people are poor because they are lazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/the-biggest-problem-in-america-is-most-people-believe-poor-people-are/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I don't think people understand what comedy is supposed to do. We will observe things, we will make fun of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-don-t-think-people-understand-what-comedy-is-supposed-to-do-we-will/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [Models never say, "I'm hot." They say, "Look at these clothes." Whereas, with comedy, you have to say, "I'm hot."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/models-never-say-i-m-hot-they-say-look-at-these-clothes-whereas-with/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [ \[Robert Smigel\] is one of the greatest comedy writers in the last 50 years. "TV Funhouse" and Triumph and all those sketches.He's really unique,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/robert-smigel-is-one-of-the-greatest-comedy-writers-in-the-last-50/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I generally don't read articles about myself/'Chappelle's Show,' nor do I read reviews. It's basically playing Russian Roulette. They're not all gonna be positive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-generally-don-t-read-articles-about-myself-chappelle-s-show-nor-do/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I'm not the easiest dude to work with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-m-not-the-easiest-dude-to-work-with/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [My entryway into hip-hop was - my biggest introduction was obviously like, you know, the Def Jam, Run D.M.C., Beastie Boys, like, that conglomerate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/my-entryway-into-hip-hop-was-my-biggest-introduction-was-obviously/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [You can say whatever you want, but there's going to be consequences to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/you-can-say-whatever-you-want-but-there-s-going-to-be-consequences-to/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [When you're in a friend circle, you all kind of talk the same way. And it's hard to do on-the-fly radio edits of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/when-you-re-in-a-friend-circle-you-all-kind-of-talk-the-same-way-and/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I needed to be more self-determining, and the most self-determining thing you can do in comedy is stand-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-needed-to-be-more-self-determining-and-the-most-self-determining/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [I'm obsessive, I'm a control freak, I get snappy with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/i-m-obsessive-i-m-a-control-freak-i-get-snappy-with-people/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) [Explore all 104 Neal Brennan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) ## More Ambitious quotes > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [I want my squad to be confident, ambitious. They have to believe in big things and we have to set targets internally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-howe/i-want-my-squad-to-be-confident-ambitious-they-have-to-believe-in-big/) [Eddie Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-howe/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [“Getting rich is easy, staying rich is impressive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-trip/getting-rich-is-easy-staying-rich-is-impressive/) [Don Trip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-trip/) > [Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for people who are smart and ambitious and interested in the world and its good opinion...What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/trying-to-be-perfect-may-be-inevitable-for-people-who-are-smart-and/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/) Chris Kirubi > [I am ambitious to do more than what has been offered me. I want to be the best in whatever career I choose and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uday-chopra/i-am-ambitious-to-do-more-than-what-has-been-offered-me-i-want-to-be/) [Uday Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uday-chopra/) > [There are four varieties in society — the lovers, the ambitious, observers, and fools. The fools are the happiest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippolyte-taine/there-are-four-varieties-in-society-the-lovers-the-ambitious/) [Hippolyte Taine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippolyte-taine/) > [People who are ambitious - politicians who crave power - think that they're in control of it, but at some point, the movement that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-liu/people-who-are-ambitious-politicians-who-crave-power-think-that-they/) [Ken Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-liu/) > [I'm not ambitious. Not a bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/i-m-not-ambitious-not-a-bit/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [Aggressive and hard-charging women violate unwritten rules about acceptable social conduct. Men are continually applauded for being ambitious and powerful and successful, but women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/aggressive-and-hard-charging-women-violate-unwritten-rules-about/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [I understood early on that I was not the best-looking girl in the room. But I knew my advantage was a hard work ethic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/i-understood-early-on-that-i-was-not-the-best-looking-girl-in-the/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [It is ordained that to the ambitious, who derive no satisfaction from the gifts of life and the beauty of the world, life shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/it-is-ordained-that-to-the-ambitious-who-derive-no-satisfaction-from/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [If Reagan and John Paul II were linked by anything, it was a grand, ambitious, and generous idea of Western political civilization, one in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-applebaum/if-reagan-and-john-paul-ii-were-linked-by-anything-it-was-a-grand/) [Anne Applebaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-applebaum/) > [To talk only about national security, national defense, means to be selfish, ambitious. It is discrimination, isolation. "It is just me. What do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evo-morales/to-talk-only-about-national-security-national-defense-means-to-be/) [Evo Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evo-morales/) [Browse all 1,269 Ambitious quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Here's the thing about standup directing: not that hard. As I said on Twitter one day, or maybe it was Instagram - sorry, I want to keep my platforms straight - it's essentially the same five shots over and over again. 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