---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a filmmaker, you are going to…"
description: "\"As a filmmaker, you are going to manipulate the character as you need to make the scenes work.\" — Peter Jackson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/peter-jackson-1771_character_as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipula_2956485.jpg"
---

#  As a filmmaker, you are going to manipulate the character…

![“As a filmmaker, you are going to manipulate the character as you need to make the scenes work.” quote by Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/peter-jackson-1771_character_as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipula_2956485.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/peter-jackson-1771_character_as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipula_2956485.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/peter-jackson-1771_character_as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipula_2956485.jpg)

> “As a filmmaker, you are going to manipulate the character as you need to make the scenes work.”

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Filmmakers shape characters to serve narrative needs, ensuring scenes work effectively.

**In simple terms:** Directors adjust characters for story.

Key Takeaway

Adapt characters to fit the story.

Themes

storytelling character craft

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

creative instructional

When to use this quote

- script revision
- casting decisions
- scene planning

Key Concepts

narrative structure creative control

Questions to Reflect On

- When should a character stay true to original?
- How to balance story and character integrity?

A Different Perspective

Risk of losing character authenticity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Filmmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filmmaker/)

## Related quotes

> [You have to really be able to trust the director. It's about the filmmaker and whether or not I'm going to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-diaz/you-have-to-really-be-able-to-trust-the-director-it-s-about-the/)

[Cameron Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-diaz/)

> [That is one of the reasons one enjoys acting. Now and again, you get scenes where you work with somebody really good and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-finney/that-is-one-of-the-reasons-one-enjoys-acting-now-and-again-you-get/)

[Albert Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-finney/)

> [I've gotten to work with people like Kristin Chenoweth and Chita Rivera... Seeing their process is so interesting. Seeing that these people aren't immortal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-keenan-bolger/i-ve-gotten-to-work-with-people-like-kristin-chenoweth-and-chita/)

[Andrew Keenan-Bolger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-keenan-bolger/)

> [I'm beginning to think that I like the behind-the-scenes work as much as I do in front of the camera as I get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-m-beginning-to-think-that-i-like-the-behind-the-scenes-work-as-much/)

[Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/)

> [There are some scenes that work beautifully in a moving, sweeping master, which is how I like to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-allen/there-are-some-scenes-that-work-beautifully-in-a-moving-sweeping/)

[Debbie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-allen/)

> [I would love to do different things, like behind-the-scenes work - just like Ron Howard!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-burke/i-would-love-to-do-different-things-like-behind-the-scenes-work-just/)

[Chris Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-burke/)

> [My understanding of the way sex scenes work is that you're surrounded by crew, and you're cold, and you have to do it eight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/my-understanding-of-the-way-sex-scenes-work-is-that-you-re-surrounded/)

[Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/)

> [It's like getting into film - I didn't say early on, 'I'm going to become a filmmaker,' 'I'm going to show my work at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/it-s-like-getting-into-film-i-didn-t-say-early-on-i-m-going-to-become/)

[Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/)

> [You should always make it like it's your last film. That's my personal belief. Every filmmaker is going to have another belief... That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-russell/you-should-always-make-it-like-it-s-your-last-film-that-s-my-personal/)

[David O. Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-russell/)

> [I'm not the kind of filmmaker who's going to go from one thing to the next. I often wish I was that filmmaker, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-glazer/i-m-not-the-kind-of-filmmaker-who-s-going-to-go-from-one-thing-to-the/)

[Jonathan Glazer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-glazer/)

> [If a white filmmaker is going to tell a story about a Black family, then because they get all the opportunities that they get,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-russell/if-a-white-filmmaker-is-going-to-tell-a-story-about-a-black-family/)

[Taylor Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-russell/)

> [People start realising that I'm a responsible filmmaker and I'm not going to run away with the budget or do anything stupid. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mackenzie/people-start-realising-that-i-m-a-responsible-filmmaker-and-i-m-not/)

[David Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mackenzie/)

> [As I continue to evolve as a filmmaker, I'm going to continue to do different stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-levine/as-i-continue-to-evolve-as-a-filmmaker-i-m-going-to-continue-to-do/)

[Jonathan Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-levine/)

> [If you're a wildlife filmmaker and you're going out into the field to film animals, especially behavior, it helps to have a fundamental background…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-degruy/if-you-re-a-wildlife-filmmaker-and-you-re-going-out-into-the-field-to/)

[Mike deGruy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-degruy/)

> [I think Frank Capra was a much craftier filmmaker, a wonderful filmmaker. He had enormous technique, and he knew how to manipulate the public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-think-frank-capra-was-a-much-craftier-filmmaker-a-wonderful/)

[Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/)

## More by Peter Jackson

> [It's not a happy time when a film drops dead on your doorstep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/it-s-not-a-happy-time-when-a-film-drops-dead-on-your-doorstep/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [I don't have an anti-Hollywood feeling. It's just I'm a New Zealander. I was born in New Zealand, and it's where my house is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/i-don-t-have-an-anti-hollywood-feeling-it-s-just-i-m-a-new-zealander/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [The only thing about 3-D is the dullness of the image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/the-only-thing-about-3-d-is-the-dullness-of-the-image/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [You shouldn't think of these movies as being 'The Lord of the Rings.' The Lord of the Rings is, and always will be, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/you-shouldn-t-think-of-these-movies-as-being-the-lord-of-the-rings/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [It's one thing to support your kid, but if you have an interest in what your child is doing, it makes it a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/it-s-one-thing-to-support-your-kid-but-if-you-have-an-interest-in/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [Strategically, horror films are a good way to start your career. You can get a lot of impact with very little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/strategically-horror-films-are-a-good-way-to-start-your-career-you/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [To his ex-wife in court, he said I lost interest in you when the Botox lost its effect and you looked like a plastic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/to-his-ex-wife-in-court-he-said-i-lost-interest-in-you-when-the-botox/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> ['Bad Taste' was - it was, in many respects, my sort of, my, I guess, my single-minded desire to want to break into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/bad-taste-was-it-was-in-many-respects-my-sort-of-my-i-guess-my-single/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [To me, fantasy should be as real as possible. I don't buy into the notion that because it's fantastic, it should be unrealistic, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/to-me-fantasy-should-be-as-real-as-possible-i-don-t-buy-into-the/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [I always have had a slightly jaundiced view about people who promote books about themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/i-always-have-had-a-slightly-jaundiced-view-about-people-who-promote/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [Obviously, movies, you're often on location, out in the rain or the sun, in a real place where the trees and the cars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/obviously-movies-you-re-often-on-location-out-in-the-rain-or-the-sun/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [Structure is important in film, but there's often structure to be found in the most unlikely of places! It's quite possible to build a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/structure-is-important-in-film-but-there-s-often-structure-to-be/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [Film is such a powerful medium. It's like a weapon and I think you have a duty to self-censor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/film-is-such-a-powerful-medium-it-s-like-a-weapon-and-i-think-you/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [I remember when I was - I must've been 17 or 18 years old - I remember 'The Empire Strikes Back' had a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/i-remember-when-i-was-i-must-ve-been-17-or-18-years-old-i-remember/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

> [I love collaborating with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/i-love-collaborating-with-people/)

[Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

[Explore all 209 Peter Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/)

## More Character quotes

> [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/)

[Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/)

David Hudgins

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/)

[Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [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/)

[Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "As a filmmaker, you are going to manipulate the character as you need to make the scenes work.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Peter Jackson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipulate-the-character-as-you-need/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Character"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipulate-the-character-as-you-need/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/peter-jackson-1771_character_as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipula_2956485.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/peter-jackson-1771_character_as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipula_2956485.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/peter-jackson-1771_character_as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipula_2956485.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“As a filmmaker, you are going to manipulate the character as you need to make the scenes work.” — Peter Jackson",
                "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": "Peter Jackson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "As a filmmaker, you are going...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipulate-the-character-as-you-need/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/as-a-filmmaker-you-are-going-to-manipulate-the-character-as-you-need/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
