--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't know what I was going to get…" description: "\"I didn't know what I was going to get. You never do, when you're filming something for real.\" — Philip Rosenthal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd3/philip-rosenthal-15405_cinema_i-didn-t-know-what-i-was-going-to-get-yo_2084798.jpg" --- # I didn't know what I was going to get. You never do, when… ![“I didn't know what I was going to get. You never do, when you're filming something for real.” quote by Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd3/philip-rosenthal-15405_cinema_i-didn-t-know-what-i-was-going-to-get-yo_2084798.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd3/philip-rosenthal-15405_cinema_i-didn-t-know-what-i-was-going-to-get-yo_2084798.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd3/philip-rosenthal-15405_cinema_i-didn-t-know-what-i-was-going-to-get-yo_2084798.jpg) > “I didn't know what I was going to get. You never do, when you're filming something for real.” [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Uncertainty is inherent in filmmaking; outcomes are unknown until the process unfolds. **In simple terms:** Filmmaking is unpredictable. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty in creative projects. Themes risk uncertainty process Mood cautious optimistic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - first‑time shoots - budget constraints - script revisions Key Concepts film production creative decision‑making expectation management Questions to Reflect On - How do you prepare for unknowns in a project? - What strategies mitigate surprise setbacks? A Different Perspective Unexpected challenges can derail plans. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) ## Related quotes > [There's something refreshing about going into filming and not brushing your hair, letting your toenails chip, drawing darker circles under your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-comer/there-s-something-refreshing-about-going-into-filming-and-not/) [Jodie Comer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-comer/) > [Most of the crew were staying in Monaco. But my family and I were actually staying in Nice because I had my whole family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dornan/most-of-the-crew-were-staying-in-monaco-but-my-family-and-i-were/) [Jamie Dornan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dornan/) > [Housewives' is real, yes. We say what we're thinking at the time. But filming our real lives is a huge production that takes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/housewives-is-real-yes-we-say-what-we-re-thinking-at-the-time-but/) [Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/) > [I started acting when I was 13 in New York. Worked there for a couple years, then auditioned for a show there that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristanna-loken/i-started-acting-when-i-was-13-in-new-york-worked-there-for-a-couple/) [Kristanna Loken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristanna-loken/) > [Imagine you wake up one morning with a knock at the door, and when you answer, there's Denzel Washington announcing that he's going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-henderson/imagine-you-wake-up-one-morning-with-a-knock-at-the-door-and-when-you/) [Stephen Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-henderson/) > [I always find filming stressful. I get very caught up thinking about my character - 'Am I doing it right? Should it be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomie-harris/i-always-find-filming-stressful-i-get-very-caught-up-thinking-about/) [Naomie Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomie-harris/) > [When filming videos you spend hours getting ready and hours waiting around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-harding/when-filming-videos-you-spend-hours-getting-ready-and-hours-waiting/) [Sarah Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-harding/) > [There is anxiety, but it comes after you've finished filming because it's out of your hands; people are editing it, they're cutting it, marketing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-jackman/there-is-anxiety-but-it-comes-after-you-ve-finished-filming-because/) [Hugh Jackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-jackman/) > [The first time I've actually filmed in London, the locations we've all had have been real inner city, grimy urban places which has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-armstrong/the-first-time-i-ve-actually-filmed-in-london-the-locations-we-ve-all/) [Jonas Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-armstrong/) > [I'm very much thinking in music most of the time, but I really would love to start filming because when I was a teenager,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trentem-ller/i-m-very-much-thinking-in-music-most-of-the-time-but-i-really-would/) [Trentemøller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trentem-ller/) > [I love filming. I love the teamwork. It's a tight-knit group spending months on the road together. All the experience is shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-don/i-love-filming-i-love-the-teamwork-it-s-a-tight-knit-group-spending/) [Monty Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-don/) > [It's one of those things where we generally love filming 'Miz and Mrs.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryse-mizanin/it-s-one-of-those-things-where-we-generally-love-filming-miz-and-mrs/) [Maryse Mizanin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryse-mizanin/) > [Never lose sight of what you're trying to say, and remain open to what's happening while you're filming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-corsini/never-lose-sight-of-what-you-re-trying-to-say-and-remain-open-to-what/) Catherine Corsini > [The first time I met James Franco, he was dressed like James Dean. He was James Dean, literally, filming a biopic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hader/the-first-time-i-met-james-franco-he-was-dressed-like-james-dean-he/) [Bill Hader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hader/) > [I say this about everything: when I was on 'Neighbours,' I said, 'These are the best years of my life!' When I was filming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-robbie/i-say-this-about-everything-when-i-was-on-neighbours-i-said-these-are/) [Margot Robbie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-robbie/) ## More by Philip Rosenthal > [Most restaurant people work much harder physically, on a daily basis, than most entertainers. Though most people in entertainment complain more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/most-restaurant-people-work-much-harder-physically-on-a-daily-basis/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [The other stuff of marriage can fade a little bit, but as long as you can laugh with your partner, that's everything because that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/the-other-stuff-of-marriage-can-fade-a-little-bit-but-as-long-as-you/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [Eleven million people in America work in the restaurant industry - and then when you start figuring in the farmers, the cheese makers, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/eleven-million-people-in-america-work-in-the-restaurant-industry-and/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [I feel like the world would be a better place if more people experienced a little bit of someone else's experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/i-feel-like-the-world-would-be-a-better-place-if-more-people/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [A puppy is the ultimate distraction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/a-puppy-is-the-ultimate-distraction/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [Of course, my whole theory of comedy is based in reality. The funniest stuff comes from real life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/of-course-my-whole-theory-of-comedy-is-based-in-reality-the-funniest/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [Two-thirds of us in the U.S. don't have a passport. I'm here to say that travel is the best, most mind-expanding thing we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/two-thirds-of-us-in-the-u-s-don-t-have-a-passport-i-m-here-to-say/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [Going out into the world, I do feel like a kid in a candy store.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/going-out-into-the-world-i-do-feel-like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [And with regard to the Italian family we portrayed on 'Everybody Loves Raymond' - Italians and Jews do share two traits: all problems are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/and-with-regard-to-the-italian-family-we-portrayed-on-everybody-loves/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [My little joke that I make whenever I talk about my show is that the way I sold the show to Netflix is 'I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/my-little-joke-that-i-make-whenever-i-talk-about-my-show-is-that-the/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [I don't have the talent, the temperament, or the patience to be a great chef. I'd much rather order from someone who can really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/i-don-t-have-the-talent-the-temperament-or-the-patience-to-be-a-great/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [Most people enjoy other people. Most people are human beings first. And affiliated with political parties second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/most-people-enjoy-other-people-most-people-are-human-beings-first-and/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [If you're any good at all at what you do, you get better the more you do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/if-you-re-any-good-at-all-at-what-you-do-you-get-better-the-more-you/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [I'm not Andrew Zimmern, who is like a superhero to me. I'm not Anthony Bourdain, who was a superhero to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/i-m-not-andrew-zimmern-who-is-like-a-superhero-to-me-i-m-not-anthony/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) > [In certain cultures, they'll eat an eyeball. I'm never gonna be that guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rosenthal/in-certain-cultures-they-ll-eat-an-eyeball-i-m-never-gonna-be-that-guy/) [Philip Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) [Explore all 43 Philip Rosenthal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rosenthal/) ## 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": "I didn't know what I was going to get. 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