--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was a standup comedian, which is kind…" description: "\"I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing and directing yourself.\" — Paul Feig" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-feig-3624_comedian_i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-o_239487.png" --- # I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing… ![“I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing and directing yourself.” quote by Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-feig-3624_comedian_i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-o_239487.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-feig-3624_comedian_i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-o_239487.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-feig-3624_comedian_i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-o_239487.png) > “I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing and directing yourself.” [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stand‑up comedy parallels self‑directed storytelling, where the performer creates and controls the narrative. **In simple terms:** Comedy is like directing yourself. Key Takeaway Own your story, craft your humor. Themes creativity self‑direction comedy Mood playful inspirational Type creative motivational When to use this quote - stand‑up shows - writing workshops - personal branding Key Concepts authorship performance art Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑direction with collaboration? - What personal stories can become comedic material? A Different Perspective Self‑directed humor may lack external feedback. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Genuinely love doing standup and I'm a comedian first, so for me what makes my standup special is the fact that I don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/genuinely-love-doing-standup-and-i-m-a-comedian-first-so-for-me-what/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [Ross Noble at the Leicester De Montfort Hall on his Randomist tour - it's the only time I've hurt from laughing at a standup…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-acaster/ross-noble-at-the-leicester-de-montfort-hall-on-his-randomist-tour-it/) [James Acaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-acaster/) > [Hopefully the only things off-limits are crummy jokes, but being a standup comedian, I know that's not always the case... You know it when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/hopefully-the-only-things-off-limits-are-crummy-jokes-but-being-a/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [I went to film school so I have a writing and directing background, and I think a lot of the material I'm interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/i-went-to-film-school-so-i-have-a-writing-and-directing-background/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [As far as writing and directing, I'm very focused on the thriller genre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peele/as-far-as-writing-and-directing-i-m-very-focused-on-the-thriller-genre/) [Jordan Peele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peele/) > [I love writing, directing and photography; if I could figure out a way to put the three things together, that's what I would love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/i-love-writing-directing-and-photography-if-i-could-figure-out-a-way/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [I'm going to be writing and directing my own videos, and performing in them too, and I'm super-excited about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-day/i-m-going-to-be-writing-and-directing-my-own-videos-and-performing-in/) [Mikey Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-day/) > [Acting is the most pure fun as far as jobs go, but it can be limiting in terms of freedom of expression. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/acting-is-the-most-pure-fun-as-far-as-jobs-go-but-it-can-be-limiting/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [I think I'll always want to write and direct. I'm interested in producing and helping other people tell stories. But I'm still in love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-carruth/i-think-i-ll-always-want-to-write-and-direct-i-m-interested-in/) [Shane Carruth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-carruth/) > [I spent most of my 20s working as an actor. I started writing and directing because I was frustrated with the types of roles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marielle-heller/i-spent-most-of-my-20s-working-as-an-actor-i-started-writing-and/) [Marielle Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marielle-heller/) > [I certainly was an actor and then I drifted more towards writing and directing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-haden-church/i-certainly-was-an-actor-and-then-i-drifted-more-towards-writing-and/) [Thomas Haden Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-haden-church/) > [The things I want to focus on are music, writing, directing, and developing stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/the-things-i-want-to-focus-on-are-music-writing-directing-and/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [Writing and directing just sort of fell into my lap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/writing-and-directing-just-sort-of-fell-into-my-lap/) [John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/) > [ All these teachers and \[screenwriting\] books mean you see movies that have been worked over by more committees wielding more rules, that all originality… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-schrader/all-these-teachers-and-screenwriting-books-mean-you-see-movies-that/) [Paul Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-schrader/) > [Directing a movie precludes me from being involved in any greater way. But, the job was never to do more, it was always to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams/directing-a-movie-precludes-me-from-being-involved-in-any-greater-way/) [J. J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams/) ## More by Paul Feig > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > ['Constitutional' is just a real pip of a word. Positively rolls off the tongue. In fact, it's downright fun to say. 'Con-stit-too-shun-al.' It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/constitutional-is-just-a-real-pip-of-a-word-positively-rolls-off-the/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [Ever since I was a little kid, I've felt comfortable in a suit. It all started when my mom bought me a three-piece Pierre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/ever-since-i-was-a-little-kid-i-ve-felt-comfortable-in-a-suit-it-all/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [Man up and add a tux to your wardrobe. Just find one you like and get it well-tailored to your own measurements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/man-up-and-add-a-tux-to-your-wardrobe-just-find-one-you-like-and-get/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm kind of a failure. I mean, I'll be honest. I'm successful in that I'm getting to work on great stuff, but I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-m-kind-of-a-failure-i-mean-i-ll-be-honest-i-m-successful-in-that-i/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [You have to know everything. You have to know how to light a scene. You have to know all this technical stuff about directing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/you-have-to-know-everything-you-have-to-know-how-to-light-a-scene-you/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [You just have to be classy at the end of the day. That doesn't mean you can't go with a midnight blue tux. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/you-just-have-to-be-classy-at-the-end-of-the-day-that-doesn-t-mean/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [If you're not connected emotionally to a story, then you're dead. You're as a filmmaker really just opening the door for people to lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/if-you-re-not-connected-emotionally-to-a-story-then-you-re-dead-you/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [The reason most comedies don't win awards is that the filmmakers put the comedy first. This means you have to create a story around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/the-reason-most-comedies-don-t-win-awards-is-that-the-filmmakers-put/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [The British model, which I've always thought was great, is that you do a TV show and then they sell it. Then you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/the-british-model-which-i-ve-always-thought-was-great-is-that-you-do/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [The biggest thing I’ve heard for the last four months is, ‘Thanks for ruining my childhood,’](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/the-biggest-thing-i-ve-heard-for-the-last-four-months-is-thanks-for/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I really feed off of The Walking Dead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-really-feed-off-of-the-walking-dead/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [Getting away from a white or light colored tuxedo shirt is always a little dangerous. Certain staples shouldn't be mixed with. Light pink or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/getting-away-from-a-white-or-light-colored-tuxedo-shirt-is-always-a/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [The good thing is that I really think that American television is in kind of a second golden age. Even though there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/the-good-thing-is-that-i-really-think-that-american-television-is-in/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I mean Ally McBeal was sort of the closest thing I can think of to kind of being a comedy-drama but that had its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-mean-ally-mcbeal-was-sort-of-the-closest-thing-i-can-think-of-to/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) [Explore all 126 Paul Feig quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) ## More Comedian quotes > [I would say most comedians have a very cynical worldview of the way the world can work. 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We need to make people laugh more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/the-only-difference-between-a-comedian-and-someone-else-we-need-to/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [When a soldier of the night's watch dies they say, "And now his watch is over." That's what they say when a comedian dies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-williams/when-a-soldier-of-the-night-s-watch-dies-they-say-and-now-his-watch/) [Brad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-williams/) > [My mom is two people to me. She's my mom number one, and then she's this lady most comedians know as being a legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/my-mom-is-two-people-to-me-she-s-my-mom-number-one-and-then-she-s/) [Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/) > [If I had a choice, I would rather watch a comedian not involve themselves in politics at all but be hilarious than someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-richardson/if-i-had-a-choice-i-would-rather-watch-a-comedian-not-involve/) [Jon Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-richardson/) > [I wouldn't mind gigging around the same era as Jesus, after he gives his speech about the meek and how blessed they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same-era-as-jesus-after-he-gives/) [Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/) > [If someone doesn't like a comedian that's fine; a lot of people probably don't like my standup, and that's fine. But I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/if-someone-doesn-t-like-a-comedian-that-s-fine-a-lot-of-people/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [It's very rare that an older comedian sort of slips into an old-school clunker. You know, you don't hear too much of that anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/it-s-very-rare-that-an-older-comedian-sort-of-slips-into-an-old/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [I was a kid, and I would watch standup comics do the 'Tonight Show,' and if Johnny Carson liked you, he'd wave you over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-koy/i-was-a-kid-and-i-would-watch-standup-comics-do-the-tonight-show-and/) [Jo Koy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-koy/) > [Gary Greenberg is a thoughtful comedian and a cranky philosopher and a humble pest of a reporter, equal parts Woody Allen, Kierkegaard, and Columbo.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gideon-lewis-kraus/gary-greenberg-is-a-thoughtful-comedian-and-a-cranky-philosopher-and/) [Gideon Lewis-Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gideon-lewis-kraus/) > [For me, comedians are like the epitome for everything great, and they terrify me. I just want to be them. I want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-maslany/for-me-comedians-are-like-the-epitome-for-everything-great-and-they/) [Tatiana Maslany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-maslany/) > [No matter what town we went to, if there was a comedian playing, I'd go watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltrip/no-matter-what-town-we-went-to-if-there-was-a-comedian-playing-i-d-go/) [Michael Waltrip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltrip/) > [I'm a comedian who happens to be Latino. What's the difference? The difference is, my special will air on Comedy Central, not Telemundo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-iglesias/i-m-a-comedian-who-happens-to-be-latino-what-s-the-difference-the/) [Gabriel Iglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-iglesias/) [Browse all 1,775 Comedian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing and directing yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Feig" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-of-like-writing-and-directing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comedian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-of-like-writing-and-directing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-feig-3624_comedian_i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-o_239487.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-feig-3624_comedian_i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-o_239487.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-feig-3624_comedian_i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-o_239487.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing and directing yourself.” — Paul Feig", "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": "Paul Feig", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was a standup comedian, which...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-of-like-writing-and-directing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-of-like-writing-and-directing/#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 } } ] } ```